Tuesday night we were fortunate enough to eat at Arzak in the city of San Sebastian.
Reservations were made months ago and since then chef Elena has been named "The Best Female Chef in the World" so reservations now are nearly impossible to secure.
The Arzak family has been occupying the same building since 1897 and now Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena run this homey, unpretentious spot in the heart of basque country.
Juan Mari is known as the originator of the "New Basque Cuisine" and was awarded Michelin's highest honor of three stars in 1989 which he still holds today.
The food was not only delicious but playful works of art.
The staff served each course seamlessly, describing the preparation in hard to understand English.
It's just as well that I couldn't understand them because I normally don't eat things like kabraroka pudding with kataifi or pigeon with anthocyamnin so it was best I was left in the dark.
This is the lobster with it's "pinchers" (the clothes pins carved from potato - pinchers- get it?).
This is "lamb with corks" (lamb cooked in wine).
This became the sauce for the frozen dessert
that tasted like mom's lemon pie.
After dinner chocolates fashioned like nuts and bolts and keys.
Chef Juan checked on us throughout the evening, making sure everything was perfect and I must say he did love the women!
This is what my chef Bill prepared and served me in bed this morning. He obviously was inspired by last nights dinner!
Encourage one another,
xo Suzanne
