Leonardo F.
Google
Worst and most expensive meal we had in San Sebastián. The main problem was the service, though the food could also have been better.
We sat down and checked the QR menu. The menu lists dishes like “tomato” with zero description. When the waiter came he rattled off additional dishes off the menu with a similar lack of detail (“scallops,” “ceviche,” etc.). At a loss, we asked for recommendations and he perfunctorily gave us a few. We put in our order and waited.
First came the scallops. It was an order of six. The table next to us got an order of two. We had no idea there was a different portion available but wished we had because the scallops, while perfectly cooked, were overpowered by a very strong ginger sauce. Not a great start.
We then waited for the next course. And waited. And waited. The table next to us, which arrived after us, was on their fourth course by the time the waiter showed up with clams, setting the plate down before turning and leaving. Except we hadn’t ordered clams. I called him back to tell him, to which he rudely replied, “Yes, you did.” I held my ground and repeated our original full order, and he took the plate away.
While we continued to wait, we watched as other tables got their food, with explanations of each dish. Over an hour after ordering we got the second dish. Mushrooms. Again the waiter dashed off without a word, and we called him back to ask for clean plates since we did not want the ginger sauce from the first dish to mix with the mushrooms. He seemed confused or annoyed by our request. We also tried to get new forks but no such luck. He came back and put the stacked plates on our table for us to set them. Mind you, we watched as he set new plates for other guests, without them having to ask. At least the mushrooms were tasty.
We continued to wait and watched as another table mistakenly received our next dish. They sent it back, and a few minutes later it came to us. It was the carabinero with socarrat. Delicious dish, if a tad salty. Despite seeing other tables get wipes to clean their hands before and after shellfish, we dove in and later had to sit with our dirty hands suspended in the air and ask for one.
While in the middle of eating this dish, we got the final dish. Simple grilled prawns. Odd timing and progression, but fine. By this point we just wanted to end the lunch.
Unfortunately, the service does not match the price point. What was extra puzzling was that other guests seemed to get better service (having their water opened and poured for them, having their dirty plates cleared and replaced with clean ones, receiving explanations of the dishes as they came, receiving wipes, etc.). I don’t know why we didn’t. If you’re a foreigner, though, maybe go somewhere else.