Wonderful gastronomic restaurant in Basque country

[hikawatressler]

We ate last night at a place called La Ferme Gourmande in Osses near Irisarri. The chef is Basque but spent 18 years in Lyon. He started this restaurant here about 15 months ago. For the 28 euro menu you get amuse-bouche, entree, plat (meat or fish), fromage and dessert. For the more expensive menu (36?) you get both the meat and the fish. We thought it was a wonderful meal using products of the region but not in the traditional ways. It was very much cuisine de chef. The view is spectacular sitting outside surrounded 300 degrees by the verdant, lush mountains of the Pays Basque.

[scbeachnuts]

By chance did you stay at Hotel Mendi Aide while there. We will be traveling through the region in Oct and thought about staying there. If not, any other recommendations for a nice room around there. We prefer staying in small local hotels or B&Bs. Sounds like this restaurant should not be missed.

[Parigi]

Olhabidea !
It's a beautiful farm serving great meals, right outside the listed plus beau village of Sare.
But it has only 3 or 4 rooms. If it is full, try the Araya hotel owned by the Fagoaga familiy inside Sare.

[kerriar]

Olhabidea is not so easy to book but Araya is a marvellous fall-back.

They are really nice people you and if you arrive there after a long tiring drive, any stress you carry falls away in the first minutes.

[Parigi]

That is a breathtakingly beautiful region, near St Etienne de Baïgorry.
Thanks for this tip on my fave region.
Many Basque chefs are as you describe, "using products of the region but not in the traditional ways". No wonder the Basque chefs rule the world.

[hikawatressler]

We were visiting our friends who have opened a beautiful B & B in Irisarri. It is family run in a large manoir, gorgeous views. Please stay there! It's called Aire Berria. Website: www.aireberria.com 09 79 33 25 22

[hikawatressler]

Once you go to Aire Berria you'll probably want to go again. They have only been in business for 2 years and already have repeat customers. Cristina is Brazilian and Xabier is Basque. The place is lovely and they are wonderful!