(661) 322-8900, Sandrini's Public House1918 Eye Street Chalet Basque is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers: Are the prices at this restaurant mid-range / moderate? Some new restaurants have popped up and others have closed. However, considering the level of colorful obscenities, the act of answering a phone seems to pale in comparison! Everything was great! Initial negotiations after the Facebook announcement included attempts to keep Noriegas going in the same location under different ownership in an attempt to preserve an important piece of Basque history. Best Brunch Spot - Moo Creamery Photo by Moo Creamery If you get the chance to visit Moo Creamery for brunch in Bakersfield, you won't regret it. So heres the 2019 update on restaurants serving Basque food in the United States. Bistros in Bakersfield. Baskin-Robbins adds a hint of waffle, and voila. My filet was huge. Now, the food is decent, and you feel like just another customer. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Watch Huell Enjoys Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield | California's Gold with Huell Howser Season | KCET seem a bit on the expensive side, until you realize what you get with them. They cite that the economy was down and it is, she said. Contact address. I look forward to trying more Basque restaurants, but I doubt I will go back here. Were gonna try to make it look the same, he said. Brought us water and then took our order. Basque food has been served this way since the mid-1800s, when many Basque traveled from their homeland between Spain and France to seek their fortunes in Californias Gold Rush. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. Dining and Drinking, Bar . It would easily feed two people who were very hungry. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. It's sad to see an older establish restaurant going down hill, but that's what our impression was last night, and I doubt we will go back there again, there are just too many other good choices for Basque in Bakersfield.More, I don't know why all the mixed reviews. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Benji's French Basque Restaurant is a simple spot for traditional Basque cuisine, including unique dishes like pickled tongue & frog legs. There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants on. 4001 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93308 T / 661-328-0400. Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes. Soon we were . The Basque Cafes founding family also felt the loss. According to my Spain expert, the food in the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield seem to come from the same region. Pintxos y Montaditos / Snacks. Bass said he personally received requests to save items for posterity, including from the Basque Museum in Boise and a museum on the Basque diaspora in the Basque Country. I was very happy with the steak and I gave him half. Dewar's, across the street from Bakersfield High School, is still the best old soda fountain in the state, and even if it didn't make the world's best nut chews little Tootsie Rolls of taffy . Bakersfield, California 93304, 4001 Rosedale Highway This is a review for basque restaurants in Bakersfield, CA: "the practice is to have everyone wait in the bar area prior to the dinner seating. The sauces were excellent. rank this one toward the bottom of the list. Your email address will not be published. Garrett Snyder is a former staff writer for the Food section of the Los Angeles Times. Pierre Igoa, Writer February 18, 2023. . Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley. Very tasty but possible cross contamination with the fryer. Restaurants around Bakersfield. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. There is also a lovely patio area that is probably a great place to sit on warm evenings. I would have loved to given the place five stars, however the service really brought the star level done. amzn_assoc_title = "Cook Basque Food At Home"; Some items are gluten free. Are you sure you want to delete this answer? 515 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301. 4809 Stockdale Hwy. If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. We offer a flavorful menu of traditional Basque dishes that you can enjoy in our family-style dining setting. Rating Restaurant Notes; 24th Street Cafe ($$) . In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. The doors finally closed on Noriega's, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. Numerous Basque restaurants offer traditional Basque experiences, carrying on the traditions of their ancestors. Lisa has been the owner at Chalet Basque Restaurant since 2002, and strives to maintain the Basque authenticity that the restaurant has been known since it opened it's doors in 1969. He never even came by to refill my husband's water glass. It has been watered down and Americanized a bit. Its real sad because we were real proud of our restaurant, said Susan Maitia, 64, speaking on behalf of her husband, former owner Frank Maitia Jr., 65, who has Parkinsons disease. The Basque Cafe, formerly known as Maitia's Basque Cafe, a long-lived restaurant in Bakersfield famed for its garlic fried chicken, shut down just after Fourth of July weekend, "a casualty I usually order the pork chopsand I'm never disappointed. Vegetables are very good and plentiful. Then theres salad like Greek salad, but with a tangy dressing and a plate of pickled tongue (yum!). Tongue. He was a bit disappointed in the preparation, but said it was tasty. Among the Noriegas biggest fans: Jonathan Gold, who wrote extensively about the restaurant over the years. Service was slow sometimes, the sides did not come with the meal. Of course, you might wonder why a family (one who had the Misfortune of answering a phone while in a restaurant) was asked by the waiter to leave rather than the table of drunk old Men of are apparently "bar regulars".. The wife's pork chops were large and juicy. Oops! Established in 1969.This restaurant has been a landmark in Bakersfield, CA since 1969. The food was very good and plenty of food for our gathering of ten people. Lisa L. I was told that should I ever make it to Bakersfield that I should try Basque food. Location: 909 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301 Website: Cafesmitten.com Instagram: @cafesmitten 2. Oh no! The mealsseem a bit on the expensive side, until you realize what you get with them. See photos, floor plans and more details about 3141 N Inyo St in Bakersfield, California. Ordered their New York steak. 4001 Rosedale Hwy Had he known, he might have ordered a different lamb dish. She came from the back and seated us right away. Chance of rain 40%. Home to Bakersfield sound and the famous Kern County Basque festival, the city of Bakersfield has something for everyone. I've read previous reviews about the service being awful, but I had AMAZING service. Not once did he ask if we were enjoying the food or to check on us. A great video on the way things were. Id be happy to add more. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times). The bread was off the shelf plain sliced bread. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; He would come by and drop off the food, but he made no offer to give us more of anything or to check on us. This was my first experience with Basque food and I was so excited to be there. I had to scale down, Frank Maitia Jr. said. Im glad to have had a Picon Punch and an ABC (Amaretto, Baileys and coffee) a few days before they closed, Bates said. Roasted leg of lamb implies a dry preparation. Some had worked there for decades. Trio of Spanish Cheeses $15.00. Although they dont own the property, she said, the Elizalde family has run the Noriega Hotel since 1931. ), Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, You want to put a restaurant where? The member built Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco operates under the leadership of General Manager, Francois Camou, and Executive Chef, Michel Veron. The Pyrenees dark wood bar, vinyl booths, throbbing jukebox, and neon Budweiser sign attract motorcycle clubs, indie bands, and Basque old-timers alike. Vegetables are very good and plentiful. Chalet Basque Restaurant 166 Spanish $$ Family-owned & operated 51 years in business "of the few things people knew about the town was that it was known for it's Basque population and." more Outdoor seating 3. His theory is that the Basque people who settled in the area originally were probably from the same region, and that was most likely a shepherding region, thus the emphasis on lamb dishes, and the similarity in menu items. everyone a choice. Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Soup and lamb was delicious. CENTRO BASCO 13432 Central Ave. Chino, California 91710 (909 . Enjoying Basque food at the Basque restaurant Harvest Vine in Seattle, Wash. Love that Donosti provides these opportunities , 3 Basque Restaurants Featured on The Food Network, 7 Videos on Basque Sheepherders in the United States. "It was never a Basque recipe [pickled tongue], 'cause in the Basque countries, they eat tongue it's usually warm and in like a stew," Jenny Maitia-Poncetta, [] Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 200 Oak Street View more restaurants in Bakersfield, CA from other shows - FoodiePie.com. Learn more, Copyright 2023 Visit Bakersfield | All Rights Reserved, Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Benji's French-Basque Restaurant, among the old guard of Bakersfield's finest restaurants. The April 24 post generated 386 comments and was shared 750 times. Noriega Hotel, one of Bakersfield's oldest restaurants, announced Friday that it would not reopen following its closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. We are in the middle of one of the largest, Toll Free (866) 425-7353Local (661) 852-7282, This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience on our site. The Basque Cafe, formerly known as Maitias Basque Cafe, a long-lived restaurant in Bakersfield famed for its garlic fried chicken, shut down just after Fourth of July weekend, a casualty of the economy, its last owner said. It is located at the former Cafe Med location at 4809 Stockdale Highway. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. And far across town at Benjis French-Basque Restaurant, patrons try to manage their calorie intake during the setup so they save room for dessert. Updated July 2021: A new Noriegas, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriegas, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. Subscribe to get 15% off your first order and stay up to date with new blog posts. We got the set-up and the beef bourguignon. With three banquet rooms, a spacious dining room, and an outdoor covered solarium, the Basque Cultural Center hosts many diners, banquets and parties daily. (661) 324-2961, Narducci's Caf622 East 21st Street Surprisingly the entree was quite good, my roast beef was slightly pink, very tender, really good. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; The restaurant was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2011. The change from daylight to dark took our eyes a bit to adjust. I tried for six months to do everything I could, Stewart said. We are a traditional Basque restaurant in Bakersfield, CA. Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA Benji's French-Basque Restaurant. Read More> Named After: Benji's Bakersfield Life (October 2014) Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. There were only two tables of guests (and a third table of two people came in over 1/2 way through our meal). Bakersfield, CA 93304 The chowder was great! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. It's highway close and after wanting to stop for Basque food for years, I finally read some reviews and chose this place because of its ratings and the fact that they were open mid-afternoon.We ordered one dinner without entree and one with roast lamb. When I prepare this rustic soup and smell the garlic, Im transported back to the Basque Country where I enjoyed this wonderful salda or soup. Basque Singer Mikel Urdangarin Sings for Basque-American Audience, Kern County Basque Festival 2022 Basques Talk about the Best Part of Being Basque, Institute for Basque Studies to be Inaugurated at Cal State Bakersfield, Basque Folk Singer Mikel Urdangarin to Perform in California, Basque Film Part of Online Smithsonian Film Festival April 1 30, Top Four Things to Do at the Bakersfield Basque Festival, Basque Exhibits at Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, Not Even the Rain Could Dampen Spirits at the Bakersfield Picnic, Yvonne Etcheveste, longtime Bakersfield restaurant owner, 1931 2017, People of Kern County Basque Festival 2017, Your email address will not be published. The Noriega Hotel was the oldest surviving Basque restaurant and inn for male boarders in the United States and a civic symbol in Bakersfield. sushi-moon.cafes-guide.com - unofficial site, All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Visit Rent. The Elizalde family, which had owned the restaurant and boarding house at 525 Sumner St. since 1931, announced on Facebook that they would not be reopening after coronavirus restaurant closures were lifted. I was glad I did. We enjoyed the salsa so much that we applied it liberally to the soup, beans and vegetables.More, While heading to Yosemite from Los Angeles, we stopped off at the Chalet. Banquet Hall/Venue Since 1986. We will definitely be back again the next time we go through town.More, Just left about 30 minutes ago. There are already some lists of Basque American restaurants onBubers Basque Page and Euskal Kazeta, but things change fast in the restaurant industry. He never even came by to refill my husband's water glass. Since I aim to please, today Im doing just that! . Typically, this first course consists of a simple vegetable soup. Online Reservations | OpenTable Restaurant Basque Restaurant Basque draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of the Atlantic coastal villages and provincial towns of the Basque region, which straddles France and Spain along the Bay of Biscay and the Western edge of the Pyrenees. The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. The theme of which is the outrageous rudeness of answering a phone when in a restaurant. We apologize to those who wanted brunch and regret that we are unable to open at 11:00 today. We looked up and 2 of the 3 light bulbs above our seat were burned out. Basque restaurants in Los Angeles area - Southern California. Starting in January, the rent increased, Stewart said. . If your husband steps in to defend you, the waiter will then threaten to call the police of you don't all leave. The theme of which is the outrageous rudeness of answering a phone when in a restaurant. This place is not near the same as it was with the previous owners.More, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In Bakersfield's Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll find the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. There was only one waitress on duty because it was 3 in the afternoon. Benji's French Basque Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a children's menu . The new Noriega's will open as soon as possible, according to Osathanugrah. Susan Maitia said her in-laws, Frank Sr. and Louise Maitia, founded the family business in Old Town Kern in 1946. was fresh yesterday. First comes a cabbage soup, very flavourful, Basque salsa and bread. They still serve dinner as family style, which I enjoy. Meals Served Family Style--Copious Amounts! Have a restaurant in mind? Learn about Bakersfield facts here. Basque restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area - Northern California. I am desperately trying to get the "salsa" recipe . Noriega's Hotel in Bakersfield Closes for Good - Euskal Kazeta Updated July 2021: A new Noriega's, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriega's, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. The highlight is the family style set up that is always a part of the Basque experience. All dinner meals come with soup, salad, bread, beans, spicy tomato sauce, vegetable and tongue salad. Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge - Bakersfield's most popular Basque restaurant Wool Growers Basque Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge We are open. Seated promptly but took forever to get order taken! 18 Month Jamn Serrano $16.00. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; I can remember a tastier menu. We waited a few minutes for someone to help us. I will still go here for cheap and plentiful eats.More, We have eaten here many times & usually better. Bakersfield, CA 93309 The Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes., Right next to the 99 freeway, and surrounded by graceful queen palms, the Chalet Basque Restaurant has small tables and booths in lieu of family-style trestle tablesmore appropriate for date nightbut everything else is traditional Basque. The Elizalde family, owners of the restaurant since 1931, announced the decision on Facebook, thanking all the people that have dined with us.. Basque salsa really spices up the soup, by the way. Today Bakersfield is home to the largest collection of Basque restaurants in, New! The Bakersfield community and the Basque community were devastated. He previously edited the food sections of Los Angeles magazine and L.A. Weekly and has co-authored several cookbooks. Overcast with rain showers at times. Compared to the other 4 or 5 Basque restaurants, I wouldrank this one toward the bottom of the list.More, If you're in Bakersfield and would like to enjoy a lovely dinner, followed by drunk fellow patron yelling at you for answering your cell phone, then be told by said patron to "get the f""" out and take your a"" hol" kid with you," Irecommend you try Chalet Basque on Oak Street. Need to save room for dessert the next time we go there.More, Been going here for many years. 954 were here. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply hit home for a tradition that has been in Bakersfield since the city's roots - Basque dining.