bilbao

We arrived at our hotel in Bilbao around 1:30. We didn't have too much time because we had a 2:30 reservation at Nerua - a Michelin 1* restaurant at the Guggenheim Museum. At the restaurant we had our choice of 9 "products" or 14 "products". We chose 9. Since this was a special meal, I decided to add the wine pairing. I just added pairing for one as I figured we could share for the amount of wine we drink. Our server set out a glass for Granny and added a little for her to taste. That continued and so both of us wound up having the wine pairing although it was really only supposed to be one. Rather than try to attach long descriptions to the picture of each dish, I have included the menu. If you click on the menu, it will display in large size so you will be able to read it.

After our delicious meal, we went on an excursion trying to find the entrance to the museum. Supposedly we had a reservation at 4pm but we weren't done with lunch until well after that. No problem. We did make it to the museum, got a wheelchair for Granny and took off to explore. However, we were tired, not overwhelmed by the collection (The building is more impressive than the collection,) so our visit was short.

I thought this "balloon" installation was one of the more interesting items in the museum. The picture on the left is from the top floor where I first saw them. I didn't realize they how large they were until I saw the bottom parts when we were on the gound floor (picture on the right).

We were done for the day. We had an amazing meal, saw a bit of the Guggenheim museum and it was time to settle in and get ready for the next day. A day trip to San Sebastian was on the schedule . (Click HERE to see our San Sebastian excursion.)

We got a late start on our free day in Bilbao. I tried to lineup a day trip to the wine area but couldn't secure one at the last minute. I took our laundry to be done Not very thrilling but absolutely necessary. Then we decided to take a short walk along the river. I was really taken with the bridge that was just down the street from our hotel.

Our San Sebastian guide, Esther, had recommended a restaurant for us to try. So we decided to give it a try. This time Granny selected the tasting menu and I decided to try some things ala carte. That way we could try more dishes.

Granny's tasting menu consisted of Foie-gras Royale with apple vinaigrette, Roasted Vegetables, Creamy Rice with Crayfish, Iberian Pork Presa with yellow pepper cream and curry,, and for dessert Cocolate/hazelnut with caramel cookie ice cream. I wasn't fast enough to get the Foie-gras before it was half devoured. The rest are shown below.

My dinner consisted of Iberian Coppa with crystal bread and tomato, pumpkin cream with fried artichokes and black garlic, grilled tenderloin with foie gras and for dessert an apple tart. All shown below. Also I have a video of the chef plating Granny's pork dish. Click HERE for the video.