THE PLACE: Along the Nive River sits a very charming commercial street in Bayonne, France (not to be confused with Bayonne, New Jersey). This is a town in the Basque Country of France that feels as far away from Paris as you could possibly imagine. We had just two nights in this small but fascinating town. Dinner one night was at Chez Txotx, which overlooks the river and provided a charming escape and an exploration into French Basque cuisine.
THE MENU: The menu here goes through some of the classic dishes from the region, most notably Bayonne ham, Axoxa (Veal Stew), and Fish Soup. There are other dishes you’d expect on French menus and others you’d find at Spanish restaurants. In addition, there is a children’s menu and a three course prix fixe.
THE DISH: Another traditional Basque dish that caught my eye was the Merluza en Salsa Verde. Merluza, also known as hake, is slow poached here in a bright herby green sauce made with parsley, garlic, and white wine. As if fish and sauce was not enough, the dish is rounded out with white asparagus, peppers, peas, clams, a hard boiled egg, and a large prawn. It’s a hefty flavorful bowl that marries the sea and the land. Price: 22 EUR
| CHEZ TXOTX |
| 49 Quai Amiral Jaureguiberry, Bayonne, France +33524338624 |
| restaurant-txotx.com |
