Asador Etxebarri

The village with the pastures and mountains behind.

www.asadoretxebarri.com

After our visit to Carrasco we travelled North into the Basque Country.  The landscape is dramatically different from central Spain with dramatic hills and mountains covered in forest.


Etxebarri is situated in the small mountain village.  Surrounded by forrest, pasture and towering mountains, it is extremely beautiful.

Etxebarri is on the second floor.  The first floor is  the local bar.

Chef and owner Victor Arguinzoniz has become famous for the use of the grill.   It's a cooking method that is used delicately and widely throughout his menu.

Pumpkin soup - simple but rich and delicious.

Smoked goats butter with black truffle.

Grilled Palamos prawns.

Grilled sea cucumber with beans.

Grilled baby octopus.

Chistorra sausage on grilled polenta.

Truffle with grilled egg yolk.

Grilled baccala. 

Grilled steak.

Fresh goats cheese ice cream.

Smoked ice cream, pan perdu

It sounds too much to have everything grilled, but such a light and expert touch has been applied that it never becomes boring.   The grilled flavour is strong in some dishes but light in others.  The application of heat is controlled expertly as well. 

It was an excellent and interesting meal.