| |
|
| My Review |
|
|
|
A spectacular hillside vista overlooking the ocean means that the best time to visit here is either at lunch or on an evening with a late sunset e.g. in late June. The décor is modern, with the dining room on two levels and a separate bar. Breads were pleasant rolls but may not have been home-made (5/10). For amuse bouche there was an excellent fresh sardine in an apple sauce (9/10) and a much odder cold dish of pasta and local cheese (4/10). To start with a pair of scallops with an outer shell of artichokes were excellent (7/10) while a traditional fish soup was very well made, with superb aioli (6/10). Baked lobster with French beans was delicately cooked (8/10) while tuna seared lightly was served with a sauce of local yellow pepper and, oddly, a fried egg (7/10).
Carrot cake with a carrot sorbet was ordinary (4/10) while local cheeses were in good condition if generally uninspiring (5/10). There was an elaborate menu of coffees and teas, and wine prices were absurdly low to London eyes – Vega Sicilia Unico 1981 (a great year) was just GBP 100, which is below retail price in London, supposing you could find it.
This was a nice meal, but Akelarre's elevation to three Michelin stars in 2007 is bewildering to me based on this meal.
|
| |
|
|
03/07/2012 23:33:26 - ()
|
| Sadly the reviews here seem a bit hit and miss, as I had lunch at Akelare a couple of years ago and still rate it as the best meal I ever had. As with any tasting menu a few of the dishes weren't my sort of thing (the veal tendon and razor clam for one), but some dishes were spectacular, the sommelier prepared two superb and innovative tasting flights (ice cider with foie gras for example) and the overall experience was mindblowing. We had a far better than the next evening at Arzak, though that was still a great meal.
Sad if it's not kept up the standard. |
|
|
23/09/2011 09:04:33 - Ian Westcott (Australia)
|
| Was there 10 days ago and like the latest reviewer found it a very great disappointment. We had two differnet menu degustations between us , so some 16 different dishes. Even with this many chances they only managed to pull off one dish meriting 3 stars and the vast majority of them not rating a single star. Our waiter ansd sommelier were excellent. Chef only visited Spanish speaking tables. Mr Azark goes around with a staff member to translate. Agree the "toileteries" was absolutely useless from a food point of view. Set the tone for the meal.
Based on our experience this should get one star at the very best. Mugaritz was far superior and it only rates two Michelin stars. |
|
|
21/09/2011 12:07:42 - Ben Collins (UK)
|
| I'm afraid my visit to Akelare last month was a disappointment. In contrast to the previous post, both I and my partner thought it was by far the worst 3 star we had visited.
We both love experimental cooking, but this was all show but no substance. For example, the amuse bouche came in the form of mock toiletries (liquid soap, moisturiser etc). Great theatre, but the taste was utterly insipid. The meal carried on in exactly that vein.
The location and staff are fantastic. I wish they would serve steak and chips and tarte tatin. |
|
|
09/08/2011 17:02:51 - WXJ ()
|
| I usually love reading Andy's reviews but this one of Akelare surprised me. It was the most enjoyable 3* (or any other) meal that my partner and I have ever eaten.
We felt it got the balance exactly right between experimentation and classical flavour, as well as between fun and pure enjoyment in the mouth. |
|
|
23/12/2009 - Jacob ()
|
| As my first time on a 3-star restaurant, Akelare turned out to be a bit of a disappointment - and not the divine experience, that you should expect. |
|
|
30/07/2008 - Oliver Thring (UK)
|
| I visited Akelare and Arzak in July 2008. Full reviews available on my restaurant review blog at http://oliverthring.blogspot.com/2008/07/arzak.html and http://oliverthring.blogspot.com/2008/07/akelare-san-sebastin-spain.html |
|
|
24/11/2007 - Ryan Griffin (UK)
|
| I've been to Akelare 6 times since 2003 and feel that Pedro Subijana fully merits his three star rating. Food and service have been consistently exceptional, and while other restaurants in the area such as Arzak, Zuberoa and Mugaritz are excellent, none can compete with the overall experience of dining at Akelare, particularly at lunchtime. |
|
|
04/03/2007 - Alex Chambers (England)
|
| 3 Stars? Dear God. Quite how they feel this is in the same league as Arzak is beyond me. |
|
|
