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Martín Berasategui

The Basque Country in Northern “Visitors are usually very knowledgeable is home to a Michelin star constellation like about the array of famous Michelin-star no other, with the highest concentration of , but I believe it is the unique Michelin-starred restaurants per capita on dining experience of the pintxo bars that earth. A total of 19 restaurants share 28 stars, most captures their culinary hearts,” says spanning the three provinces of the region. Jon Warren, founder of San Sebastián , garitz The region’s award-winning chefs blend whose company specialises in gastronomic Mu tradition, innovation and extraordinarily tours and culinary experiences in the city. high-quality products in a unique fashion His headquarters are located in Hotel Maria that has earned them the attention and awe Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel — the best of the culinary world. This is the result of a in the city — and includes a shop that recipe that combines the best fresh fish from stocks speciality Spanish food. the Cantabrian Sea; the aromas, colours and Going for pintxos is the perfect way to flavours from the land and the mountains of the enjoy the local food scene and the culture of region; and the excellent meat from its valleys. the Basque region, hopping from bar to bar In addition to the , in the old town in a relaxed and authentic the quality and great flavours of Basque way, just like the locals. It's a great activity restaurants are recognised in The World’s 50 for short visits, as it means you can try a Best Restaurants List produced annually by multitude of dishes in one night, cramming the British magazine, . This year, in more flavours and tastes (not to mention Taste of... five of the top 35 restaurants on the list are ) in each bar along the way. The pintxo from the Basque Country: Mugaritz, Arzak, trail includes many bars of the old part of the Azurmendi, Asador Etxebarri and Martín city (Parte Vieja) and some others in Gros, the zak Berasategui. Astonishingly, four of them are hipster area in front of Zurriola Beach. Ar located in the city of San Sebastián. The best- Every pintxo bar has its own speciality, or SAN SEBASTIÁN ranked among them is Mugaritz, boasting the signature pintxo, so it may be a little tricky sixth place overall. It is followed by Arzak, the to find out where to go and what to order. In the capital of Basque Country, a culinary restaurant run by Juan Mari Arzak, probably Do not worry if you are not sure about which revolution has been simmering for decades. the best known Spanish after Ferra bar is best; it’s almost impossible to have Adrià — the man who revolutionised the a disappointing experience. And there are Finally, the world is catching on gastronomic world at . new ideas for those who want to emulate the San Sebastián is a synonym for gastronomic locals. Pintxo Passport is a handy, pocket-sized WORDS: Vicky Vilches excellence, but not only for its famous and guidebook created by San Sebastián Food that laureate chefs, and high-end restaurants. lists the best dish in each bar and pairs it with Pintxo is San Sebastián’s most peculiar and a glass of . “It means you spend less time interesting gastronomic phenomenon. Like wandering around or waiting at the busy bars a Basque version of , pintxos represent and more time enjoying some of Spain's finest

Photo: San Sebastián Turismo & Convention Bureau & Convention San Sebastián Turismo Photo: ; Arzak – Coconut Oliva ; Mugaritz – Óscar & Châteaux – Relais Martin Berasategui Photos: the best taste of the city. food and wine,” says Warren.

dotwnews.com August 2014 111 Taste of... Taste of...

SAN SEBASTIÁN sensations Four of the finest gourmet restaurants in Basque Country

MUGARITZ Aldura Aldea 20 Mugaritz is the name of a peculiar Basque oak tree and this restaurant conveys one powerful idea: communion with nature. Set on an spectacular yet relaxing countryside spot not far from San Sebastián, the kingdom of Andoni Luis Aduriz has attracted the attention of food connoisseurs from all over by transcending the customary rules and engaging diners with his passion for detail and clever use of culinary tricks. Once there, you never know exactly what you are going to be offered by Aduriz’ team, but one thing is for sure: it is going to be an unforgettable gastronomic experience. The culinary journey is made up of 24 delicious and inspiring dishes, such as the glutinous pesto with chicken concentrate (pictured). Tel: +34 943 522 455 Mail: [email protected] www.mugaritz.com

ARZAK Avenida Alcalde José Elósegui What used to be a modest, family-run business in the cosy northern resort of San Sebastián heralded the dawn of Span’s culinary Golden Age. Juan Mari Arzak won his third Michelin star in 1989 and set the pace for other world class master chefs like Ferran Adriá and Martín Berasategui. Today, Arzak shines as a top destination for food lovers, without losing its distinctive family touch. Elena, Juan Mari’s daughter and the World’s Best Female Chef in 2012, shares the helm of the Basque powerhouse. The philosophy behind this temple of is quite simple: to honour the rich Basque tradition by reinterpreting traditional recipes and extracting the best from local ingredients through state-of-the-art techniques. Tel: +34 943 278 465 Mail: [email protected] www.arzak.es

MARTÍN BERASATEGUI Loidi Kalea 4 Widely acclaimed as one of the luminaries responsible for the newfound success of Basque , chef Martín Berasategui offers a balance between creativity and tradition. An outstanding technical mastery brings local food to the next level, evident in dishes such as colourful ensalada tibia (pictured), and roast pigeon and onion with Iberian pig’s snout, ginger juice and caper. Martín Berasategui, his eponymous restaurant (part of Relais & Châteaux group) set on the evergreen hills surrounding San Sebastián, has been a master school for some of the most brilliant chefs in the area, including the likes of Andoni Luis Aduriz and Josean Martínez Alija, and consistently makes the top spots in the most prestigious rankings. Tel: +34 943 366 471 Mail: [email protected] www.martinberasategui.com

AKELARE Paseo Padre Orcolaga 56 Ever since his beginnings, Pedro Subijana has stood out as one of the intellectual forces driving the emergence of New Basque Cuisine. Akelaŕe, his three- Michelin-star restaurant located on top of Monte Igueldo, presiding over the marvellous Bahía de La Concha, best illustrates the combination of vision, knowledge and skill — the principles upon which San Sebastián has become one of the leading gastronomic capitals of the world. Experience the delicate harmony of tradition and innovation at this Relais & Châteaux property with a taste of the desalted cod box with its “kokotxa”, or very thin and light beef tartare with new soufflé and aromatic herb breadpictured ( ). Tel: +34 943 311209 Mail: restaurante@.net

www.akelarre.net & Châteaux – Relais Akelare & Châteaux; – Relais Martín Berasategu de Zubiría; Arzak – Coconut; López Mugaritz – José Luis Photos:

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