San Sebastian – part three – Warning: food porn ahead !

The city of San Sebastian is regarded as one of the most prominent food capitals of Europe and it has the second highest number of Michelin starred restaurants per capita in the world. In fact there are no less than 10 starred restaurants in the area. We had booked a table at Mirador de Ulia for lunch having seen it recommended by an acquaintance on Facebook. Good choice!

View from Mount Ulia

the city and the Pyrenees

The restaurant sits on a headland overlooking the city and it’s beaches. From the Pyrenees to the long northern Spanish coastline, the views are magnificent. With the sun shining it’s hard to beat this setting, and the food and the highly professional and friendly service just made for a perfect afternoon. 

restaurant interior

view from our table

Only read further if you are really into 'foodie' stuff...

course 1 -

 Sweet green pepper, salting anchovy, emulsion of yolk and sphere of olive. Graham's was accompanied by a single oyster with foam, but, as I am allergic to oysters, I was given a bowl of vegetable tempura and I was very pleased with the exchange.

course 2-

Chickpea infusion, belly pork and false gnocchi of foie gras

course 3-

 Prawn and winkle with sea salt

course 4-

 Tear- peas with pear in osmosis and jowl pork yolk. Sorry, I broke the yolk before remembering to take the photo. The peas were tiny and fab flavour.

course 5-

Defoliated artichoke fried in 'pil pil' of pine kernels and extract of black garlic

course 6-

 Crayfish, crispy cow tendon, green wheat yoghurt and red wine

course 7-

 Duck cooked at low temperature, glazed apple, almond praline and pips of sunflower

refreshing sorbet before the desserts

dessert 1-

 Carpaccio of cheese, dry blueberrys, apple foam and cheese ice cream

dessert 2-

 After eight, and milk ice cream

petits fours - sorry but we drank the iced coffee in the test tubes before remembering to take the photo - delicious

Everything looked so beautiful it was a shame to eat it - but we did, and enjoyed every mouthful. We chose a bottle of La Calma 2009 ( chenin blanc) to accompany the meal, a local wine that went down very well. Yes, only one bottle as Graham had to drive us back to France afterward.

It was a memorable way to spend a couple of days and we hope to repeat it again soon.

Bonne semaine mes amis