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Site Visitor Review: Asador Izarra Restaurant

Restaurant name: Asador Izarra
Restaurant address:Calle Sicilia, 135, Barcelona, 08013
Tel: (0034) 93 245 2103

Reviewer's Name: Paul Yates
Country: UK
Review Submitted: 24-Jan-2006

Restaurant type: Basque
Restaurant rating: Excellent
Service: Good
Price: Expensive (50-99 Euros)
Ambiance: Quiet yet atmospheric

Site Visitor Review of Asador Izarra

I was recommended to go here by a Spanish acquaintance on the basis that it is good food and there's plenty of it (quote - 'not your pretentious nouvelle cuisine that a lot of the trendy restaurants are doing these days').

We started with a sardine in escabeche (oil prepared with paprika and laurel leaves) and moved swiftly into jamon iberica which is an absolute must for anyone visiting Spain - it just melts in the mouth.

I was dining with a friend from the Basque region and he explained that the menu was absolutely what he expected.

We next shared a plate of Gambas (special tiger ones which are only found on the Spanish coast) and baby Octopus that is only available at this time of year (January) not to be confused with Chipirones (baby squid).

The octopus was a recommendation of the waiter and not on the menu. My Basque friend told me before we even set foot in the restaurant that Basques are big on Hake and Ox and true to form this place has it by the kilogram!

We went for the Hake and this was a serious steak (not a small fillet) served with flaked garlic. I had cheese to finish (pretty good) and my friends had deserts that I am reliably informed were fantastic. In fact one of my fellow diners was actually beaten by the chocolate desert!

Not cheap at 300 Euros for four (incl 4 beers and a bottle of Rioja) but definitely worth a call if you want quality and quantity.

English menus are available Take the waiter's recommendation, it's fresh and no more expensive.