Page 211 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

where t o ea t and drink  209

to eat lunch in restaurants than however, with a selection of
it is to eat dinner. salads, cheeses, potato, egg
Another type of set menu and vegetable dishes available.
is the menú de degustación,
a gourmet or tasting menu Disabled Access
that is usually found only in
upscale restaurants. It is a great Few restaurants, especially
deal more expensive than a those located inside historic
menú del día, consisting of a buildings, are wheelchair-
selection of the chef’s special friendly. It is worth phoning
dishes in smaller portions. in advance to check on
access to tables and toilets.
Booking
Dress
For popular and acclaimed
restaurants, as well as all upscale Casual wear is acceptable in
dining establishments, it’s wise Outdoor dining in the Basque all but the very smartest
to book ahead for Friday and town of Hondarribia city restaurants.
Saturday evenings and for
Sunday lunch. The rest of the Major debit and credit cards are Recommended
week, restaurants are less busy, accepted in most restaurants, Restaurants
and you can usually get a table. but it is wise to have cash with
It’s also worth booking ahead you when visiting small cafés, The restaurants featured on
for any restaurant that has a bars or country taverns. the following pages have been
particular regional speciality – Prices depend on the carefully selected to give a
and ordering that dish at the category of restaurant and cross-section of options in every
same time, as some specialities on what you order. The menú region: you will find everything
are available only with advance del día in a small restaurant from Michelin-starred fine
notice. Reservations can usually will be priced at around €10. dining and traditional
be made by phone. For an evening meal in a restaurants, to beachfront
comfortable mid- to upper- bars with barbecued seafood
range restaurant, you can eat and gastrotaverns serving
Cafés well for €40. In an elegant city original tapas. Places serving
Cafés and pastry shops in restaurant, you should expect Modern Spanish food offer
Northern Spain enjoy a good to pay more than €40. contemporary versions of
reputation. Some make their traditional classics, whereas
own chocolate, which can Children and Vegetarians places described as Traditional
include almonds (almendras), Spanish serve more conven-
hazelnuts (avellanas), walnuts Most eating places welcome tional fare, such as stews and
(nueces) or orange peel (cáscara children and will serve small grilled meat or fish dishes.
de naranja). Coffee is invariably portions if requested. Entries labelled as DK
excellent and aromatic. The The choices for vegetarians Choice highlight exceptional
most popular types are espresso are limited in Spanish cuisine, establishments that offer more
(café solo), espresso with a which relies heavily on fish, than just excellent food, be
splash of milk (cortado) and seafood and meat. Tapas can be it a celebrity chef, an unusual
milky coffee (café con leche). a good choice for vegetarians, location or a unique menu.
Also popular are combinations,
such as espresso with a dash of
brandy (carajillo).
Prices and Tipping
VAT (IVA) of 10 per cent is added
to the bill. Some Spanish
restaurants may add a service
charge, too (servicio incluído),
but in others it’s normal for
tourists to tip the staff, especially
if they’ve been particularly
helpful. There’s no expectation
of a set percentage, though,
and locals tip very little. It’s
reasonable to leave around
5–10 per cent of your bill. The charming interior of the Casa Conrado in Oviedo (see p218)

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