Since March had I looked forward to Mugaritz. What to expect? was it the best fine dining option for a perfect weekend….
20 Minutes with the taxi, inexpensive really and we arrive top of the hill in the small village. Skipping breakfast and sleeping late – we are now ready and hungry..
Having read a few reviews the recently, I have slightly lowered the expectations and am ready for anything.This is it:
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| The room – natural, modern and warm |
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| We start with a Cava |
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| Wine card, beautiful textured paper |
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| 1st amuse – Stew of weeds and crisp potatoes |
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| fried herbs from the garden with clashing aromas |
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| The other side |
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| Everyone is invited into the kitchen for introduction |
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| And the 2 amuse served in the kitchen – Turbot for me and Macaroon for her |
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| Our menu, 22 courses combined out of this seasons 56 |
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| Pork rind and ink dip |
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| Bone marrow on toast… I We liked it |
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| Lamb tenderloin with red onion |
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| Grilled endive and pumpkin paste |
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| Fine details everywhere |
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| Fermented Rice and radishes |
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| or Fermented rice and lobster |
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| Grilled Steak “tartar” with roe of Bream |
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| Poultry joice with tofu & bonus Caviar |
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| 2009 Allende Blanco |
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| Warm golden colour |
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| Chestnut nougat and beef gelatine |
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| Leeks and mochi leeks |
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| Bonus? |
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| Loin of Hake, tiger nut starch and concentrated clam juice |
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| Iberian pork tail with sour leaves and creme fraice |
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| Textures of coastal fish |
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| 2007 L’avi Arrufi |
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| Sweetbread of suckling lamb with seasonal mushrooms |
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| The stone, our special delivery for the princess |
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| Close Up |
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| Entrecula, Grilled steak |
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| And the stone revealed, a potato |
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| Mashed and dressed fruits. Concentrated melon juice |
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| Below Muga on the ritz |
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| Frozen almond turron |
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| Sugar and cocoa |
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| Roasted peach and “Rock tea” |
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| Native Cocoa and salted Mexican pepper mint |
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| Followed by the 7 sins for the coffee |
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| Pride |
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| Mignardise Manual |
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| Baines Liqueur |
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| Wrath |
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| Happy times |
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| Gluttony, Greed or Lust.. I guess greed? |
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| Sloth? |
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| Another smiling staff member .. Thanks for impeccable service |
A lovely afternoon, all 4 hours.. excellent friendly staff, good food, more tapas style… 22 plates is just enough…I will not reveal all the small games the restaurant plays with you..all I can say they apply an scientific and genderless approach to both food and service that requires you to be open minded.
Some reviews of Mugaritz have been hard, especially regarding the taste and presentation.. Most dishes we had were comforting good (My highest praise possible)… a few plates challenged us.(specifically the fermented rice), but good and bad is anyhow subjective and experience and value for money it was!
I recommend a visit..
Lesson Learned
- Amazingly capable wine pairings and good value too
- Some similarity with Quique Dacosta in the food style
- Mugaritz is about having fun, trying new stuff – I like it!
- Life is Good…
Links
Address
Otazulueta Baserria
Aludura Aldea 20, 20100,
Errenteria, Spain
t. +34 943 522 455
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