Joyeux Noël! Your Basque trip sounds wonderful and is on my list as I love that Txacoli wine too.
In another direction though, I have a trip to Brittany planned for April, and to get in the spirit I tried making the palets breton for Christmas with the recipe from a prior newsletter.
They were still delicious, but they collapsed after baking to a concave shape, and were a little chewy in the center but wonderfully crisp on the edges. I am wondering if you can help me troubleshoot when you might have time to reply, I baked them and let them fully cool in muffin tins, and mixed by hand so more likely under than over mixed. Now I really can’t wait for my trip to try the real thing!
Made our first trip to San Sebastián in October, from Bordeaux (new part time residents). We made the rookie mistake of bad timing, only able to travel with my daughter from Sunday through Tuesday. So many of the places we would like to try were closed. That said we ate incredibly well. The place I'd like to add is Casa Gandarias, where we ate casually (like most) three times. Their uni dish, iberico assortment "Joselito", and the t-bone brochettes were out of this world. Thanks David for the always thoughtful writings, I'm keeping this tab open for easy reference on our return (soon, very soon).
I’m glad I’m well sated after our Christmas fare otherwise I would be hungry as with all this delicious food you have shown us today. What a great gourmet few days you had in San Sebastián, thank you for the tour. Sending best wishes for a wonderful and fulfilling 2025 🥂🤗
We had a magnificent stay in San Sebastián 14 years ago. We drove from Portugal north through Basque Country on to San Sebastián. The Basque people are so hospitable and eager to share their food and culture. We went to several Pinxos bars including Ganbara. I followed their mushroom forager into their kitchen and they allowed me to watch them cooking and providing several samples. Such amazing generosity. Later that evening we stumbled into one of the sociedades gastronomica men’s only cooking societies where we were welcomed and given the opportunity to help with the cooking and then given a seat at the communal table. A few days later after exploring several more tapas bars we headed to the French Basque Country then drove through the Pyrenees zig zagging between France and Spain, visiting small villages and finally arriving in Barcelona. Must do this trip again! Loved your newsletter with lots of suggestions for another trip. Bonnes fetes David and Roman
Thanks for these 2 trip recaps! We are actually moving to San Sebastian in April 2025. So excited for so many reasons...including being so close to France! Thanks for all your stories, happy holidays!
Seeing the croquetas brought back such wonderful memories of Spain. Every little bar has them.
I have always wondered why some entrepreneur doesn't create a commercial product that bars all over the USA could just drop in their fryers. The bar patrons would love them.
Thank you for the post, now I have a couple of new places for our next trip. I love Donostia and tapas hopping there is the best! Next time you’re there try Goiz Argi for delicious shrimp brochettes plus the grilled squid and Zeruko for innovative, delicious pinchos. Do not, I repeat do not miss Etexbarri next time, one of my most memorable meals. Worth the drive!
What a helpful and delicious post! When I was in Barcelona, I found it hard to eat dinner at ten—my only “complaint.” Love the culture and the food. Wishing you a wonderful birthday—perhaps Romain will cook for you?—and a happy, healthy, peaceful 2025 to you both!❤️
Thank you for the Bar Arenales recommendation! I went with my family on Friday and it was wonderful, one of the best meals we've had in years. Also perfect for vegetarians. Thank you!!
I probably will never get there, but I enjoy reading your roundups so much. You put so much work into them! It is much appreciated. I find it very disheartening that you were subjected to bad service amid hateful ignorance and hope and pray for a better world for us all.
Marvelous post as always - as others have commented, you have inspired me to move this up on the "To Do" list. Your writing and podcasts are so convivial - like receiving a lovely postcard from a dear friend. Merci for the great intel, David!
Your newsletters are always an inspiration. I've always wanted to go to San Sebastián. The food looks delicious and it would be nice to finally be in a place where restaurants are open later. I'm still wary about eating inside a restaurant here (ie: covid) in the U.S. baby steps perhaps... thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Joyeux Noël! Your Basque trip sounds wonderful and is on my list as I love that Txacoli wine too.
In another direction though, I have a trip to Brittany planned for April, and to get in the spirit I tried making the palets breton for Christmas with the recipe from a prior newsletter.
They were still delicious, but they collapsed after baking to a concave shape, and were a little chewy in the center but wonderfully crisp on the edges. I am wondering if you can help me troubleshoot when you might have time to reply, I baked them and let them fully cool in muffin tins, and mixed by hand so more likely under than over mixed. Now I really can’t wait for my trip to try the real thing!
Made our first trip to San Sebastián in October, from Bordeaux (new part time residents). We made the rookie mistake of bad timing, only able to travel with my daughter from Sunday through Tuesday. So many of the places we would like to try were closed. That said we ate incredibly well. The place I'd like to add is Casa Gandarias, where we ate casually (like most) three times. Their uni dish, iberico assortment "Joselito", and the t-bone brochettes were out of this world. Thanks David for the always thoughtful writings, I'm keeping this tab open for easy reference on our return (soon, very soon).
I’m glad I’m well sated after our Christmas fare otherwise I would be hungry as with all this delicious food you have shown us today. What a great gourmet few days you had in San Sebastián, thank you for the tour. Sending best wishes for a wonderful and fulfilling 2025 🥂🤗
Love this post, as I do all of them. Thank you David!
Another power packed travel guide. Great read and photos. Great tip about ordering pintxos from the board to avoid filling up on bread!
We had a magnificent stay in San Sebastián 14 years ago. We drove from Portugal north through Basque Country on to San Sebastián. The Basque people are so hospitable and eager to share their food and culture. We went to several Pinxos bars including Ganbara. I followed their mushroom forager into their kitchen and they allowed me to watch them cooking and providing several samples. Such amazing generosity. Later that evening we stumbled into one of the sociedades gastronomica men’s only cooking societies where we were welcomed and given the opportunity to help with the cooking and then given a seat at the communal table. A few days later after exploring several more tapas bars we headed to the French Basque Country then drove through the Pyrenees zig zagging between France and Spain, visiting small villages and finally arriving in Barcelona. Must do this trip again! Loved your newsletter with lots of suggestions for another trip. Bonnes fetes David and Roman
Thanks for these 2 trip recaps! We are actually moving to San Sebastian in April 2025. So excited for so many reasons...including being so close to France! Thanks for all your stories, happy holidays!
Seeing the croquetas brought back such wonderful memories of Spain. Every little bar has them.
I have always wondered why some entrepreneur doesn't create a commercial product that bars all over the USA could just drop in their fryers. The bar patrons would love them.
Thank you for the post, now I have a couple of new places for our next trip. I love Donostia and tapas hopping there is the best! Next time you’re there try Goiz Argi for delicious shrimp brochettes plus the grilled squid and Zeruko for innovative, delicious pinchos. Do not, I repeat do not miss Etexbarri next time, one of my most memorable meals. Worth the drive!
@martibuckley!
What a helpful and delicious post! When I was in Barcelona, I found it hard to eat dinner at ten—my only “complaint.” Love the culture and the food. Wishing you a wonderful birthday—perhaps Romain will cook for you?—and a happy, healthy, peaceful 2025 to you both!❤️
Thank you for the Bar Arenales recommendation! I went with my family on Friday and it was wonderful, one of the best meals we've had in years. Also perfect for vegetarians. Thank you!!
I probably will never get there, but I enjoy reading your roundups so much. You put so much work into them! It is much appreciated. I find it very disheartening that you were subjected to bad service amid hateful ignorance and hope and pray for a better world for us all.
Marvelous post as always - as others have commented, you have inspired me to move this up on the "To Do" list. Your writing and podcasts are so convivial - like receiving a lovely postcard from a dear friend. Merci for the great intel, David!
More like “going” with a dear friend!!!!
What a wonderful power packed post. Thanks so much. You can definitely expand your books into travel!
What a treat it would be if David gifted us with a travel book. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m yearning for one.
Your newsletters are always an inspiration. I've always wanted to go to San Sebastián. The food looks delicious and it would be nice to finally be in a place where restaurants are open later. I'm still wary about eating inside a restaurant here (ie: covid) in the U.S. baby steps perhaps... thanks for sharing your trip with us.