Baste - Bilbao

A rainy day in Bilbao and our host had recommended Baste for the stuffed mussels. So we dived in to have lunch in the restaurant. We ordered off the menu but if... read more A rainy day in Bilbao and our host had recommended Baste for the stuffed mussels. So we dived in to have lunch in the restaurant. We ordered off the menu but if we had been more on the ball we would asked for the menu del dia. But I guess they saw us coming. The food itself was fine. But we ended up paying much more than we would have done otherwise, including two bread rolls, of which we had only eaten one. Beware. Always insist on the menu del dia.

My experience was not good. I had recommendations to visit it for the stuffed mussels. I went there and I was told I had to wait to be served due to the Covid r... read more My experience was not good. I had recommendations to visit it for the stuffed mussels. I went there and I was told I had to wait to be served due to the Covid regulations. I was lucky and a table with two chairs became available and I sat and order mussels and other pintxos. Then, people started entering. They seemed to know the people of the restaurant and suddenly more and more people joined them, not keeping the safe distance. Even my table was invaded by this group. The food and the waiters were fine. The bad experience cane from the lack of consistency with the regulations. I had to wait to be served. These group of friends/ family were arriving in bunches, disrespecting all the rules and nobody said anything. I felt so distressed that I rushed into paying and leaving the place.

We tried a la carte and enjoyed mushroom dish and cooked vegetables and hake bacalao al pil pil) and whisky tart. Lovely clean and well appointed restaurant and... read more We tried a la carte and enjoyed mushroom dish and cooked vegetables and hake bacalao al pil pil) and whisky tart. Lovely clean and well appointed restaurant and great service. A must if visiting old part of Bilbao. A bit pricey but one can always choose a weekday fixed menu which very competitive in price and quality.

Baste has some of the best pintxos we have had in Bilbao, right in the center of the Casco Viejo. They are cheap as well, there is a good selection and they hav... read more Baste has some of the best pintxos we have had in Bilbao, right in the center of the Casco Viejo. They are cheap as well, there is a good selection and they have a terrace.

The recipe of the filling mussels has improved and there is a difference! the octopus and 10 centimeters. The waitress who's been there for many years is the be... read more The recipe of the filling mussels has improved and there is a difference! the octopus and 10 centimeters. The waitress who's been there for many years is the best thing I've ever seen in my life moving a bar like this is a lot of people. My congratulations!