Undoubtedly one of the great attractions and pleasures of visiting San Sebastian is its fine gastronomy .
The Basque region is well known and respected throughout Spain with arguably some of the best restaurants being found here. Basque cooking ( La Cocina Vasca ) is held in high respect by most Spanish with there best chefs receiving the same treatment as perhaps famous artists and are highly sought after in the countries top establishments.
Basque cuisine ( La Cocina Vasca ) is influenced by the abundance of produce from the sea on one side and the fertile ebro valley on the other. The mountainous nature of the basque counrty to a difference between coastal cuisine dominated by fish and seafood, and inland cuisine with fresh and cured meats, many vegetables and legumes, and freshwater fish and salt cod.
In the late 70s and early 80s the Basque chefs where influenced by Nouvelle Cuisine of France and created the nueva cocina Vasco , proudly original in its foundations but solidly Vasco in substance with the dished becoming lighter and more rustic. Juan Mari Arzak was probably the founding father of this culinary revolution and one of Spains first three star Michelin Restaurants. The Restaurant Arzak is Run by Jaun Mari and aided expertly by his daughter Helena, also a chef of much appraise in her own right. Through the old city , the beach and surrounding areas of San Sebastian you can enjoy dining out in the most exclusive and luxurious types of Restaurants to the smaller Pintxos bars ( Pintxos are small dishes like Tapas ) and from sandwich bars to Cider houses ( sidrerias ).
Gary
http://spainguides.com/sansebastian.food.html
