| "We were headed to San Sebastian (Donostia in the Basque language) to stay at the Monte Iqueldo on top of the mountain overlooking the Basque town of San Sebastian. We stayed here 20 years ago – the view from any room is majestic – get a corner room and the view is almost too much, looking at the coast of France, beaches, downtown, bay and mountains.
Last trip we were routed to the Akelare Restaurant which was down the road and had been open for a few years. Today it has climbed to a three star ranking with Michelin, but it closes on Tuesday nights, so we chose Chomin, down the mountain from our hotel. Babs (my wife) stopped about 3 PM as we came into town to make a reservation and the place was packed to the gills. At dinner, we counted only 12 of us – but it was excellent, not only the food but made so by the personality of the owner’s daughter, Dorothea. “How did you learn such good American English?” “By talking to customers”.
The wine was Ampillo Special Reserve Riogi River 1996, salad, white asparagus, Oxtail was the special, and Grand Duke de Alba cognac that we split with some tea. Lovely dinner – no wonder English and Americans come here – lower prices and good weather."
Stayed during: 2007
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