Bus to Zarautz

Yesterday started w/ a bus to Zarautz which is a coastal community approximately 1/2 hour west from San Sebastian.  Megan went with a group of kids from Germany to surf a couple of months back.  The bus trip was a winding back country affair that revealed gorgeous countryside contrasted by some fairly run down factory towns.  Zarautz reminded me of any typical American resort seaside town.  It is off season so the beach was deserted save a couple of dedicated surfers and dog walkers.  The surf looks perfect and the views are spectacular.  One can imagine, in a couple of months, the beach full and the boardwalk packed w/ vacationers.  We walked much of the length of the beach until we realized that we were, again, hungry.  The slightest twinge of stomach fatigue is always another excuse to go find more pintxos.  We walked to the old part of town and found a cafe that Megan had eaten at the last time she was in town.  Staci and I got pintxos from the bar along w/ a couple of cervesa and Ryan ordered a full meal and shared it w/ his sister.  A bowl of potato and chorizo soup, a plate of pork and a bowl of rice pudding was defeated.  Stomachs full, it was time to head back to San Sebastian.  Coming back over the mountains, we were met by a very unusual sights.  A blue sky was in full bloom and the sun was shining down on San Sebastian!  Off the bus, we skipped through the rays of sun and made our way over to the surf shop to inquire about lessons for next day.  Low tide is anticipated at 11:30 and assuming the charts are correct we were booked.

It was time to head back to the apartment and prepare for dinner at Arzak.  We have been looking forward to this culinary experience ever since we booked the trip.  This was an adult only night out so the parents had to figure out how to get there on our own.  Megan walked us to the bus stop and made sure the children got on the right bus.  As the door closed, I could see it in her face that she was worrying about us like children leaving for the first day of school.  It was very comical!  They were walking back to the old section of town for dinner and then to the crepes shop.  Afterwards, we were told they would be heading back to the apartment for movie night.  Who knows!  I had asked the bus driver what stop to get off at for Arzak and I got some answer that I thought meant 4 stops on the bus!  Some gentleman, who had over heard the exchange, took pity on me.  He spoke no English but recognized the word Arzak and shoved us off the bus at the appointed stop.  Muchas Gracias!  We were there 35 minutes early so we walked around and found a soccer practice going on.  We watched the practice for 15 minutes or so and then walked to the restaurant.  I am never going to be able to convey the pure aura and character of this place but suffice it to say it was overwhelming.  We were there at 9:00 and were seated promptly.  One other couple in the dining room!  Remember it is early in Spain.  They quickly figure out that we no hablo espanol and sent the multi-lingual maitre d over.  We elected to partake in the sampler menu and where there were choices, we ordered the opposite so that we could try everything.  Wise choice!  We asked for a recommendation concerning the wine and were not disappointed in the 2007 Rioja that was delivered.  Off to the races!  Numerous appetizers which included things such as rockfish mousse wrapped in fried noodles, oysters over prosciutto and numerous others.   The first official course was beautiful to behold, but awkward to eat. The “cromlech” were crispy with a filling of foie gras at the tip.  Yum! Yum!  The crab course proved to be my favorite part of my meal at Arzak. The kitchen’s creativity was riding high. The Rape Marea Baja was the most beautiful dish of the night while Staci had a dish that had lobster and cow tongue sliced very thin with some sort of peppers.  The funny part this was that she was raving about it not know what she was eating.  She devoured it before the maitre d told her what it was that she was eating.  He said that he never tells the women what it is or they "no eat".  I am sitting here and for the life of me can't recall what Staci had  for her main dish but mine was duck.  After the first 6 courses, we had several desserts and I, of course, had a  nice dessert wine.  I do remember that Staci's main dessert was called Sopa y Chocolate “Entre Viñedos and it looked like goat balls that, as it turns out, were wonderful chocolate balls in a fancy souce.  To rap it up they brought out handmade chocolates that looked like keys, bolts and other various hardware.  I convinced them to send a bag home for the kids.  After we signed for our second mortgage, we were on our way home. 

We were at the bus stop and no bus.  Who can read the schedules in Basque anyway?  Just as we began to lose hope, a couple got dropped off in a cab right in front of us.  Providence intervening again.  Taxi are not like in our city's.  More like having to call a cab in Bow.  Very authoritively and with a slight slur, I directed him to return us to Donestia which is a section that our apartment is nearby and, to be honest, was the only thing I could remember.  When I recognized an area, I said aqui!  It worked.  A short walk and we were home.  Kids were home and watching a movie.  All is well and another day in the books. 

I apologize but pictures are slow to download.  Got in as many as I could. 

The sun will come out tomorrow..bet your bottom dollar!

She Loves doors!

Whatever!

The Meaning of Live is Right on the tip of my tongue!

21 Years Ago we were on these shores!

Food is not just to eat but present!

Tip it over and eat like an ice cream cone.  Foie Gras!  Yum!

Delicious!



Staci's Lobster!



Goat Balls!

First to arrive...last to leave!

A sauce for our dessert...really!

Buenos Noches!