The Ultimate Food Lovers' Weekend.

Someone said to me the other day, 'you should organise 'foodie' weekends away'. It's a good idea and it got me thinking, what would be the ultimate food lovers' weekend? Here's what I'd do anyway. It would have to be the Basque country. It has 40 Michelin stars, surely making it the ultimate destination in Europe for restaurants and I'd argue the world. But they have it all, at every level from classic traditional to high end experimental. Even the food at the airport was fantastic! Some of this we've already done, some of which we will do, hopefully in the near future.
I'm hoping your flight gets you into Bilbao for lunchtime on Friday.

1pm Pintxos Crawl in Bilbao.
Recommended; Irrintzi, Kuku Soak, Bar Motrikes, Bar Negresco, Café Iruna, Bar Okela, El Huevo Frito, Bar Negresco. Or pick any at random as the quality level is so high.
4pm Wander round to the Guggenheim museum. It has a Michelin star restaurant in it. Have a pastry and a coffee on the terrace.

5pm Siesta. Back to the hotel. We recommend the Miro. It has a view of the Guggenheim from some rooms on request and a free coffee machine in it's cool reception.
8pm. Take a few glasses of txakoli (light sparkling local wine) in town, maybe a couple of pintxos in the Plaza Nueva.

9pm Taxi to Azurmendi, 15 minutes away. (Booking well in advance of course).
Eat the meal of your life. (See my review here).

Saturday.
1pm Pick up a hire car, from the airport is probably easiest. Drive to San Sebastian. Not before stopping off at Asador Etxebarri on the way (you will need a sat nav to find it I guess, it's in the middle of nowhere). Eat the best steak in the world.

3pm Check into the hotel; Pensión Ondarra. It's cool, clean and inexpensive. You'll need all your cash for the food!
4pm Wander round San Sebastian, take a look at the old town. Have a kip on the lovely sandy beach if it's not raining.
8pm. Start a Pintxos crawl. We only managed three on our last trip; Borda Berri, Zeruko and A Fuego Negro. All were superb. Also try;
La Mejillonera, Gambara, La Viña, La Cuchara de San Telmo, Gandarias, La Txepetxa, Goiz Argi, Bar Astelehena, Atari Gastroteka, Hidalgo 56, Casa Senra, Mil Catas. 

Sunday.
Lunch at one of the Michelin Star restaurants. You could choose Arzak, Akelarre (as we did) or Mugaritz. I'd go for three star Martin Berasategui which is just out of town and drive back to the airport after lunch. 
Job done. The Ultimate Food Lovers' Weekend.  
Fly home and go for a curry.


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