BASQUE COUNTRYSIDE - GETARIA - KAIA-KAIPE

IRESTAURANTE KAIA-KAIPE Michelin Plate IIO

We returned to the fishing port of Getaria on the Basque Coast and revisited an old favourite, the excellent Restaurante Kaia-Kaipe.

Getaria is the typical picture postcard of a Basque Country fishing village.

Walking up from the car park, we approached the village.

When you reach the Restaurant, you can see the famous outdoor grill, where the fish is cooked over hot coals in open wire mesh grills.

The Restaurant is divided into two parts: Kaia is the upstairs venue (inside), and Kaipe (downstairs) is an outdoor terrace (Kaia means port, and Kaipe means below the port). We chose Kaia, which is designed on a nautical theme and a bit more luxurious than the terrace below,

with stunning views out across the harbour.

We started with some excellent bread.

Then, I ordered a bottle of Eugenia Txomin Etxaniz, a local sparkling wine.

A free taster of Bonito de Norte (tuna).

Followed by marinated tuna.

Anchoas enaceite (anchovies).

Ensalada de tomate.

Cocochas (hake throats/cheeks cooked three ways: grilled, deep-fried, and served with pil-pil sauce).

Camerones (small local shrimp, available at certain times of the year).

We then chose a bottle of white Contino Reserva 2017 to go with the main event,

The Rodaballo La Parrila (grilled turbot).

The turbot is exceptionally moist and just garnished only with olive oil.

We then followed this with a selection of desserts.

Coulant de chocolate.

Milhojas Caramelizada.

Torrija caramelizada.

Cheese board.

These were paired with a sweet Moscatel, Tradición Oloroso 30 Años, and a few café carajillos (black coffee with a shot of brandy).

The service, as always, was friendly and informative.

After the meal, we had a photo op by the grill; some of us still seemed hungry!

We ended the visit with a stroll around the picturesque village.

Getaria remains a significant fishing port in northern Spain.

After returning to our car to continue our travels, we spotted a great-looking beach just outside the village. A couple of our younger members decided it was hot enough (30th September) to go in for a revitalising dip, so they did.