432027 Thu Aug 16 13:51:35 -0700 2007 7 3 California 0 2852507 I've done some research here on CH regarding Basque restaurants in Bakersfield, and the threads were several years old (much like the Levi's I'm wearing), so I thought I'd ask anew. Cinnamon Kitten and I are heading up to the land of tumbling streams and giant trees tomorrow, and we'd like to find a freeway-close, easy-to-locate, no-major-time-commitment Basque restaurant in Bakersfield for a late lunch. I've never had Basque food, so in addition to restaurant recommendations and addresses(remember, I'd love something easily accessed from the 99 FWY), any food suggestions would be most welcomed -- warmly and with a deep, unabiding sense of gratitude. Thanks in advance? Thu Aug 16 13:51:36 -0700 2007 113190 CucumberBoy 1 2852517 Wool Grower's is very good. I've eaten there twice and enjoyed it both times. http://www.woolgrowers.net/ It's not family style. Thu Aug 16 13:54:54 -0700 2007 2852507 11117 SteveTimko 2 2852591 Thanks, Steve -- looks good. I think I recall seeing a Huell Howser "California's Gold" episode about Wool Growers...looked pretty cool. I owe you a beer. Thu Aug 16 14:11:45 -0700 2007 2852517 113190 CucumberBoy 1 2853683 Well... If you want to be close to "99", then I would say Benji's on Rosedale Hiway 1/2 mile West of 99. I like their pickled tongue the best out of all the Basque restaurants in town. Oh, make sure to order their soufflé, it has to be ordered at the start of dinner in time for at the end of dinner. Danny Thu Aug 16 20:42:10 -0700 2007 2852507 42143 Bakersfield Hound 2 2854711 Thanks, Danny, here's a (insert drink of choice) for you! Fri Aug 17 08:38:14 -0700 2007 2853683 113190 CucumberBoy 1 2856269 IMO here's a great post, less than a year old, that covers a lot of places: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/340247 I've had very good dinner 'set-up' full course meals at Chalet Basque, adjacent to Hwy 99. No family style here IIRC. Link to many Basque restaurants in the area: http://www.kcbasqueclub.com/contact/basque_map_restaurants.htm Maps at Place links below. Fri Aug 17 15:26:05 -0700 2007 2852507 23712 DiveFan 2 2856847 if you've never been to a Basque restaurant before I think that the family style service is an interesting aspect of the meal....I like the food and the atmosphere at the Noriega Hotel - plus it's not far from Hwy 99. Here's a link to their menu: http://www.apejet.org/sites/noriega_hotel/ Love the fries here! Fri Aug 17 19:29:41 -0700 2007 2856269 10429 gordon wing 1 4483799 Three of us (coming from a soccer tournament) needed Basque food at about 4 p.m. on a Saturday, when Noriega's and Wool Growers aren't open. We went to Pyrenees, which I hadn't tried before. There was a rock band in the busy bar and a lot of Harley cycles outside, so apparently their business model is reaching out to new clientele. It was hard to carry on a conversation with the music even in the dining room, but the food was excellent. They had a typical Basque set-up of cabbage soup, red beans, bread with great salsa, cucumbers, salad, cottage cheese, and then meat (and seafoods, that we didn't have) in generous servings, with fries -- the porterhouse that covered the plate, and the 9-rib rack of lamb (for $19) were excellent. No other vegetable, or tongue. We all ended up stuffed. The two people accompanying me had not had Basque before and enjoyed it. Sat Mar 07 22:59:23 -0800 2009 2852507 272606 Jim174