THE PLACE: San Sebastián, or Donostia as the locals call it, is a magical place. Not only is it a rich cultural city with incredible architecture, bustling city life, and a pristine beach, but it is arguably home to the most amazing food in the world. In addition to your choice of Michelin-starred restaurants, pintxo (the Basque version of tapas) bars are the most exciting way to eat around here. I visited my fair share of these uniquely hectic establishments and by far my absolute favorite was one a bit off the beaten path (although no less crowded) called La Cuchara de San Telmo. A long hallway leading to the bar is where the action is, but there is an outdoor seating (and waiting) area right beside a local church. This is San Sebastián in a nutshell.
THE MENU: Every single thing we tried here was just incredible from the plump razor clams to the tender, deeply flavored cod cheeks to the charred and delectable beef cheeks. The dishes are simple but cooked to utter perfection using seasonal local ingredients. It’s Basque food at its absolute best and we somehow made our way her twice in our limited time in the city. That is something I never do while on vacation, but I just couldn’t resist this menu.
THE DISH: The one thing we ordered on both visits was the Pimentos de Cristal Asados, or Roasted Crystal Peppers. Resembling a beef carpaccio, these very special local sweet red peppers, that are fire-roasted to give a smoky and tangy flavor. They are kissed with the best olive oil and crystals of salt. My first bite made me act like I was in a cheesy food show and I made that unmistakable cry of joy when you taste something truly ethereal. Unlike those shows though, this was not something that could be faked. This is the flavor of the Basque Country and it’s something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Price: 10/20 EUR
