1° Spain: 'Bikini de Rabo' = Tail Bikini??? Bitoque

14 Feb. 2011 Bilbao, Spain

(Reminder: see the first blog (the bucket list of terms) for vocabulary questions, usually marked with *)

Bar:

BITOQUE DE ALBIA
+34 944236545
Alameda Mazarredo nº6
48001 Bilbao-Bizkaia

http://www.bitoque.net/web/?page_id=6

open until 11pm weekdays, 12am weekends, closed Sunday

MPS*:

930pm. Tired and starved I am irritable and critical of service and wait times. Managed to forget my ‘merienda* apple’ so I haven’t had a bite to eat since 1:30 this afternoon.

It’s Valentine’s Day in a non-Valentine’s celebrating country (don’t see why not, they celebrate every other saint’s day, but St. Patrick and St. Valentine are almost bitterly repulsed as being ‘foreign holidays’). Bars should be unusually busy on a Monday due to the mock-holiday/“fiesta de Corte Ingles*.”

Having scoped out Bitoque in its new location the days prior to selection, my hunger wouldn’t allow me to wander far so the 3 block walk (one block off the main road, Gran Via) convinced me it was the perfect local to start with

Pintxos: creative and tasty – overall rating: 4 of 5

3.5 of 5: ‘Cochonillo Asado con Mermelara (maybe a tyepo for ‘mermelada’ or marmalade) de Cítricos’ / Roast Suckling Pig with Citrus Marmalade

Smelled as one would expect pork to smell, unseasoned and dull, but when eaten together with the marmalade and a leafy green complement became an explosion of agreeable flavor. The marmalade was natural and thick with pieces of citrusy orange and not so jelly-e

4.5 of 5: ‘Huevo a 65º a la Brasa con pimientos y jamon’ : Poached Egg at 65° (I assume it refers to Celcius here) with Peppers and Ham garnish

Perhaps the most creative of the pintxos, it came in a glass presenting layers perceived as if a thick coagulated grease, adding to the effect of a disgusting presentation was the glob of egg sitting on top of the concoction and a thin leafy potato chip like garnish, that I thought might have been for scooping. It turned out to be a solid salty base for the unsalted egg. The grease-like appearance was fresh yucca, a satisfying plus. Although not my favorite taste-wise, the unique appearance and exceptional flavor were a combination yet to be equaled in my search for the perfect pintxo.

3.5 of 5: Sushi de Roast Beef, Algas y Wasabe / Roast Beef California Rolls with Algae

Simple yet original for a Basque pintxo; fresh; the presentation was perhaps the best part.

4 of 5: Foie Fresco con Espárrago y Jugo Meloso / Fresh Foie with Asparagus and sweet nectar sauce served on small toasted bread

A foie pintxo is no stranger in the Basque lineup, many bars claim the best in Euskadi* and Bitoque’s stood the test with a near perfect biting consistency and a mix of flavors satisfying any ‘gras-lover’s’ palate.

*The menu is not static; therefore the pintxos I ordered may or may not appear on a current menu

Wine: 4 of 5

Marqués de Vitoria

If I were a wino I might note the pungent fruity aroma, murky ruby shimmer, and strong lingering finish. But I am just an apprentice, so I’ll call it a ‘give-in’ wine, it’s of high quality which speaks for itself.  

Service: 3.5 of 5

When stepping out who doesn’t like to be catered to? I know as my hunger grew that’s what I wanted. I wasn’t looking for crowds and I didn’t want a wait. Upon entering I was a bit dumbfounded as to whether I could seat myself in the ‘private-looking’ dining area or if I’d have to muscle it up to an open bar space. After an awkward entry pause and a no indication on where to go or what to do from the staff, my colleague and I nudged ourselves towards the more personal dining area. This maneuver seems unfruitful at first but paid off in the end (noticed we were taking notes) as we were treated to explanations and a more visual look into the creativity behind pintxos. Our plates were hustled off rather quickly, which one might find bothersome if they are looking for tranquility.    

Ambiance: 4 of 5

Hip to funky. Music from Jazz to Elvis to a Rocky beat but thought out not your simple Top 40, with the occasional awkward silence of a bad track; younger well-dressed patrons, a few of those V-day couples; clean and classy black and white décor

Price: 3 of 5; paying for class

Higher end on the price scale at €3.50 average per pintxo; if it’s a special occasion or you need a sleek date spot looking to impress this is your place

Opinion: 4 of 5

I have known of this place almost since I arrived in Bilbao over 2 1/2 years ago and before they opened in this new location right off Bilbao’s Gran Via (very conveniently located) and what it has to offer hasn’t disappointed me yet. The mellow ‘moderno’* crowds inspire impromptu artsy conversation. The wine and pintxo list extends beyond the Monday night critique, and a return visit is a must if not a give-in –- although opting for a night in which I wasn't hungry, as it can get rather busy and the service isn't ‘lickety-split Americano want a good tip kind.’