Elkano (*) Getaria, Spain

Man, what a meal. I was finally able to go to one of my dream restaurants after seeing several people go and report back with nothing but great things said about this establishment. Thankfully, I was able to make a reservation a few months out and snagged a spot for May. Getaria is a 25 minute drive from Donostia/San Sebastian and might be the most beautiful place I have ever been to. The basque itself is beautiful, but Getaria was on another level. We were the first seated for lunch and were told about the daily catches and what was available for today. We decided to go a la carte and ordered the following: txangurro (baked crab head), marinated lobster, red mullet, turbot. For anyone curious, the tasting menu is 195 euros, I know that was a frequent question asked on this sub. They started us out with a tuna tartare and a smoked mackerel bite, which were great and very well highlighted the freshness of the fish. The marinated lobster had an awesome vinaigrette on top of it and the txangurro was just as good as people say. People suggested the red mullet also, which was good but I think the kokotxas would’ve been better (I wish I ordered them). Finally, the main attraction. My favorite part of the turbot was definitely those end pieces on the sides, which we were instructed to use our hands with. I also loved how they emulsify that pil pil sauce using olive oil and the collagen/protein juices of the fish. Aitor was a professional with doing the fish for us, and actually told us stories about how each member of the family would get different pieces of the turbot. At the end of the meal, I was absolutely stuffed and barely finished off the petit fours (which were excellent as well). They even let me keep the Elkano silverware holder as a little souvenir. The hype is real for this place, and I highly recommend anyone who is visiting the basque to try their best to eat here. I adored Elkano and am already planning to come back next year, as well as try their sister restaurant kaia kaipe.