268075 Sun Apr 09 15:13:17 -0700 2006 6 26 International 0 1412772 We will be staying in San Sebastian for a few days in early May on our first trip to Spain. Would appreciate guidance for casual restaurants in these towns. We hope to do Arzak for Sunday lunch for our non-casual meal. I look forward to your ideas. Bon Appetit Sun Apr 09 15:13:17 -0700 2006 0 Jeroboam 1 1412782 You're in for a fabulous foodie time, and of the best sort, from high end (Arzak) to the simplest pintxos (tapas) it's almost hard to find bad food in the Basque country. For San Sebastien, La cuchara de San Telmo is a wonderful and not expensive place, written about enthusiastically by other Chowhounds on the International site. You already have Arzak covered, but make sure not to miss it. It really is one of the great restaurants in teh world. For Bilbao, the Guggenheim has a wonderful restaurant, run byMartín Berasategui, perhaps the best new chef in the Basque country. Here are a few more Bilbao recs, but it's really hard to go wrong anywhere in the Basque country. Victor Montes on Plaza Nueva A must, in the old city. There may be better food and service elsewhere, but there is no better combination of charm, traditional Basque food, excellent Rioja wines and a great selection of pintxos. S The hake baked with roast potatoes in olive oil makes my mouth water at the thought. El Perro Chico Near the food market. Funky decor, artists love it. The guy who owns it is a delightful throwback to Claud Rains and noir films. Restaurant Ama Lurre (known for the Guggenheim construction hard hats on the wall) The best bargain in town for lunch, 100 metres from the Gugg (opposite the Puppy). Good tapas at the bar, but if you sit in the front room you get a three course meal, plus wine and water, for about 1300 psts. (the equivalent of a turkey sandwich in NY). NB If you have only time for two meals in Bilbao, do one at Victor Montes, the other at Perro Chico Casa Rufo A very charming place, with gourmet food store in front, and restaurant in back. For steaks and other grilled meats, Basque style (with flaky salt). Great wine. Have fun. - Sean Mon Apr 10 00:07:57 -0700 2006 1412772 0 Sean Dell 2 1412799 Oops, I notice that I've put a peseta price for my favorite pinxtos bar in Bilbao. I was a bit punchy last night, but my memory from my most recent visit to Bilbao tells me that lunch at Ama Lure is about E8, still great value. - Sean Mon Apr 10 15:59:03 -0700 2006 1412782 0 Sean Dell 1 1412787 I agree with Sean's post that it is hard to go wrong in the Basque Country. For normal/casual meals, look for Menus del dia for lunch (approx. 1 - 3) during the week. You can get a great one for 10-13 euros, which will include a starter, main, desert, and a bottle of house wine. In Bilbao, just wander around the casco viejo. There are almost too many restaurants to choose from. I tend to avoid places (although there are very few) that have menus in English. Mon Apr 10 10:15:36 -0700 2006 1412772 0 ChrisB. 1 1412793 Biarritz - There is an outdoor bar above the Plage de la Côte des Basques that you should put on your list. Sitting on the cliffs overlooking the best surf in the city, it fills up with surfers and locals when the sun goes down. Get there at dusk, grab couple glasses of something cold, and smile at life. This place is easy to find - just drive the road out from the city that runs up along the Plage de la Côte des Basques; the bar is about 1/2 mile from the retaining wall where the beach "begins." Bilbao - Victor Montes is a must, as the other post indicated. Go to the hotel bar at López de Haro! You get a huge bowl of olives and the Campari sodas are very inexpensive. For more tapas and a great scene, there is also good place near the Jardins (sp?) park. It's directly across the street... You've picked a great area to visit!! Mon Apr 10 12:18:36 -0700 2006 1412772 0 Eric the Law Student 2 1413111 Arzak was everything I'd heard about. We got a reservation for lunch without much problem, all diner time was full. The price was so reasonable. Great experience. A little too quiet to bring kids if you have them. On the old port in San Sebastian is a GREAT fish place called Bar Igueldo. My teenage son wanted to move in there. Beware your 7 euro rose is a bottle not a glass! We ate hake, sardines, gambas, squid in ink and the fresh yoghurt for desert was delicious too. Went there 2 nights in a row and were NOT disappointed with anything. Our dog and 10 yr old loved it too. In fact of our whole 8 week vacation that's what we talk about most. Had less luck in Biarritz, but Bayonne had a couple of cute places on the bank of the Ardour. Fri Apr 21 13:03:21 -0700 2006 1412793 0 misspoetje 3 1413141 Thanks for the leads. I will provide a report on the trip. Fri Apr 21 22:39:48 -0700 2006 1413111 0 jeroboam8