DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN - PARTE VIEJA - LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO

Miguel Renoir Spanish Guides
Aug 14
3 min read

Updated: Dec 1

LA CUCHARA DE SAN TELMO

We returned to a favourite pintxo bar in San Sebastián's old town. It is down a side alley off 31 de Agosto Kalea at the back of the old city. It is well worth seeking out, and do not be shy about walking in, even if it is busy. Thankfully, we were now free of COVID-19 restrictions, and things were back to normal.

The list of pintxos looked very inviting indeed.

The small kitchen staff were hard at work, as usual.

We headed for the bar and dived into our favourite pintxo, cochinillo (suckling pig),

which was of the usual high standard, with great crispy skin and succulent meat.

Next up was the foie con compote de manzana (foie gras with apple compote).

Oreja de cerdo ibérico (Iberian pig's ear).

Carrilleras de ternera (veal cheeks).

Risotto cremoso de txipiron en salsa tinta alioli de ajo (creamy baby squid risotto (orzo pasta, not rice) in squid ink and garlic alioli sauce).

A few nice glasses of Rioja helped us wash down all the great food.

Seeing the place very busy again was excellent, with the bar area full to bursting again.

In October 2021, they were still under COVID-19 rules, which meant no standing at the bar and seating only on the outside terrace. This somewhat spoils the ambience, but it is what it is.

We were first in the queue but still had to wait 20 minutes. We were then seated on the side terrace and began with very tender carrilleras de ternera (veal cheeks).

Wonderful cochinillo (suckling pigs)

Foie (which was a little big and would have been better cut into four pieces, then grilled).

We had a bottle of 12 Tablas Crianza, which was decent for €13.

The food was as good as ever, but you missed the interaction at the bar.

The following are from a 2019 visit when things were normal.

You will not see any cold pintxos on bread set out on the bar, as you do in most pintxos bars. All the pintxos here are hot (and made to order), and you can order from the blackboard menu behind the bar.

There is a printed menu now,

as well as the blackboard.

It can get very busy at weekends and during special events, like the San Sebastián film festival.

A few excellent pintxos to try include:

Sopa fría de tomate con jamón y Idiazábal (cold tomato soup with jamón and Idiazábal (basque cheese) Foie gras salteado compota manzana (foie gras sauteed with apple sauce).