Mina (*) – Bilbao, Spain

I'm sharing the menu for all the dish descriptions, but I will just say that no restaurant has ever suited my personal taste more. Big acid all throughout this meal. Impeccable plating. Wine program was brilliant.

But I have to talk about my experience at Mina, with the major caveat that NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO WHAT I DID…

I was in Bilbao for a wedding, but booked a single seat at Mina for Sunday 9p to have a great meal hopefully before flying out Monday. I do fine dining solo all the time, especially when traveling. But at the wedding, one close friend who I never see asked what I was doing Sunday night, and when I told him, he asked if he could come. When I had booked, I had noted that I was fine at the counter, but my reservation came through as a "table," and I figured they would certainly rather have a two-top than a solo diner.

So during lunch service that day, I walked into the restaurant and asked if they would add one to my reservation and they very kindly said, no problem at all. BUT about an hour before dinner, I hear from the wedding couple, who apparently had not planned anything for that night, and could they come too. Eek.

When I'd been in, I noticed that there was a chef's counter, and then only 4-tops, so I thought, okay, if I have a table, then there can't be any harm in at least asking if two more could come. Long story short, I was actually reserved for the counter and they graciously increased my reservation from one to FOUR right when I showed up, at my reservation time.

I repeat, NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO THIS! I was pretty embarrassed to ask, but again—newlyweds—there's no way I wasn't going to at least see, and also figured we could just give them our res for two if need be. But when I think about how these requests would have been treated at most restaurants, and the grace and ease with which Mina and the staff handled my truly obnoxious request, it only makes me cherish what was a gorgeous meal even more.

I would not be surprised at all if they get a second star, and I could not recommend it more. Eskerrik asko!