Foodle

Just when I thought this food trip to Spain couldn’t possibly get any better...... Asador Etxebarri. Another lunch here that I will remember for ever. So lucky with the weather again, it was just a perfect way to end this leg of the trip before heading to Madrid. Steve Plotnicki you know how to throw a party and I can’t thank you enough for inviting me to celebrate your birthday here, you are a true gent.
Etxebarri is currently number 3 on Worlds 50 Best restaurant list and also 3rd on OAD’s best European restaurant list and for good reason. Has anyone noticed how a lot of chefs and restaurants these days are cooking over open fire? Well it is arguably true that this originates with one man...Victor Arguinzoniz in this small village in the Basque country. This quiet, humble cook is actually one of the most influential chefs on the planet. I really struggle to think of a meal that I have enjoyed more than any of the three I have had at Etxebarri. This is the answer to the question ‘if I could only visit one restaurant again in my life, which would it be?’
Thanks again Steve and thanks for the wonderful company Beth Lang, Margaret Lam, Michael Price, Linda Plotnicki, Alejandro Alki, Stella Alikov, John Bruno Scherrer and everyone else who shared this fabulous meal. Less

We wanted to try some rustic Italian restaurant near to our hotel and we have found this little enoteca with a short but very good regional menu and quality wine selection. On the menu they present every dish paired with a local wine.
For starter our choice was a red chicory and pears salad, served with gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinegar. For main we have ordered a lovely bowl of tagliatelle with asparagus and local Ossola bacon and the second main was a Sirloin with rosemary and baked potatoes. The steak was tasty and cooked perfectly, the pasta dish needed some extra seasoning.
The owner with his good experience takes personal charge of the service, specially the wine orders.
All together it is a nice restaurant a bit away from the main tourist area with relaxed atmosphere and great hospitality. Well worth a visit! Less