From Around Spain - SpainGuides.com

Undoubtedly one of the great attractions and pleasures of visiting San Sebastian is its fine gastronomy . The Basque region is well known and respected throughout Spain with arguably some of the best restaurants being found here. Basque cooking ( La Cocina Vasca ) is held in high respect by most Spanish with there best chefs receiving the same treatment as perhaps famous artists and are highly sought after in the countries top establishments.

Basque cuisine ( La Cocina Vasca ) is influenced by the abundance of produce from the sea on one side and the fertile ebro valley on the other. The mountainous nature of the basque counrty to a difference between coastal cuisine dominated by fish and seafood, and inland cuisine with fresh and cured meats, many vegetables and legumes, and freshwater fish and salt cod.

In the late 70s and early 80s the Basque chefs where influenced by Nouvelle Cuisine of France and created the nueva cocina Vasco , proudly original in its foundations but solidly Vasco in substance with the dished becoming lighter and more rustic. Juan Mari Arzak was probably the founding father of this culinary revolution and one of Spains first three star Michelin Restaurants. The Restaurant Arzak is Run by Jaun Mari and aided expertly by his daughter Helena, also a chef of much appraise in her own right.

Through the old city , the beach and surrounding areas of San Sebastian you can enjoy dining out in the most exclusive and luxurious types of Restaurants to the smaller Pintxos bars ( Pintxos are small dishes like Tapas ) and from sandwich bars to Cider houses ( sidrerias ).

Some of the famous typical dishes from this region of Spain are, Marmitako ( a tuna fish stew ) , Bacalao a la Vasca ( salt cod with tomatoes ), Txangurro ( hot Spider crab ) and Percebes ( goose neck barnicles ). For a more complete list of dishes and recipes please check out the recipes section.

Although tapas where invented in Sevilla in Andalucia they where perfected in San Sebastian and a walk around the old part of town is a good place to enjoy them. Here each bar is bursting with tapas and they look very delicate. Pintxos are generally enjoyed together with a glass of wine or a small beer, and the Spanish tradition suggests to have one pintxo and a wine in one bar and move on to the next bar.

A lot of people will substitute dining out on a main meal for Pintxos. A Tapa Crawl ( Tikiteo) allows you to enjoy as many plates as you want and most possibly in different bars and restuarants subsequently enjoying a more varied culinary experience. If you want 'real' food then that is where San Sebastian can be very very good. You can find several different cuisines such Chinese, German, Galician, Italian and of course the obvious Basque cuisine. A great place to eat out is around the harbour area, specially if fresh sea food is to your taste, there are also more simple harbour taverns to enjoy.

One of the Basque countries favoured drinks is Red wine due to its proximity to the famous win growing regions of Navarra and Rioja . Another favourite of the area is Cider ( Sagardoa ) , this deceptively mild apple flavoured drink is followed up by a slow pleasurable warming kick.

Hostels in San Sebastian

There really is a great choice of fine homely Hostels in San Sebastian . Arguably one of the best must be the Hospedaje Donosti -B&B which has received the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010 - Ranked top 3 for 'Cleanliness' in Europe, located in San Marciel 33 this hostel has a great atmospher and is near the beaches.

Other top rated hostels in the city include the Pension San Juan located in Calle San Juan num.13 - 3, located in the 'Old Town' between the beaches of San Sebastian, La Concha and Zurriola (Gros) the 'surf beach'. Another popular choice is the Guesthouse Ongi Etorri in Calle San Juan Num 3, again located in the old town. Hostal Olga located in Calle Zabaleta num 49 in Zurriola ,and arguably the nicest, most picturesque part of the city and has great sea views. The Pension Goiko located in Calle Puerto 6 some 5-10 minutes to Kursaal and Zurriola (surf beach) and regularly gets a rating of 90% and over by clients staying at this fine Hostel.

Other Hostels of note include the Adore Plaza, Beti Anayak Guesthouse,Guesthouse Ongi Etorri,Hospedaje Kati, Kaixo Hostel, Lagunak B&B, Lau Buru, Loinaz Pension, Pension Aries, Pension Ira-Flor, Pension Joakina, Pension Zurriola Waves, Roger's House, the Umoreonabi Guesthouse and the Uzturre Guesthouse.

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