El Txoko Berria Bilbao — Restaurant in Bilbao

We went to this restaurant as we had dined there before and found several vegetarian options. On our first visit the staff were friendly and service was quick so we went again because of the convenient location and vegetarian options. However this time the staff was different and even though the restaurant was practically empty the waitress left us standing at the door waiting to be seated. She then went off pretending to look busy, setting tables and going in and out of the kitchen refusing to acknowledge our presence. When we tried to get her attention she ignored us to the shock of other customers who were dining. Disgusted with her attitude and that of her colleague (the other waitress)we left. On our first visit- food was good, service was fairly quick( Friday 4 May). Prices were reasonable. The restaurant itself was a bit shabby, old grubby chairs and dated decor. Today( Monday 7 May) at 8 pm - we left because of the insulting behaviour of the two waitresses. We have never encountered anything like this ever before anywhere. Our entire experience in Bilbao was of warm friendly people except for the two waitresses on duty....

I'll begin by saying that I hardly ever leave a bad restaurant review, as I always try to give a place the benefit of the doubt. But this place managed to dispel doubt. It started well, as it has nice decor, if a bit wilted, in the shabby-chic style. We were seated fast, the order was taken reasonably fast too. Then the food arrived. I ordered mushrooms with a poached egg - the egg on top of the sauteed mushrooms was less than runny, it was completely uncooked. I said well, I'll just eat the mushrooms and that's that. But then my husband's chicken thigh came, and it was raw. I asked the waitress to ask the cook if he would eat it - she just took the dish away, without as much as an apology. That's what made me complain about the egg too - and she said it was supposed to be like that, as it was cooked at a low temperature, and I should have asked for a more cooked egg! She seemed to think that "poached" means under-cooked. I understand that "menu del dia" at 11.95 cannot be Michelin-star quality, but this was simply disgusting. Too bad, because the place is well situated and pleasant, but it managed to...

Bad experience

I'm Italian, so my personal standard for good food is particularly high. That said, I also used to travel the world and I know the drill: never judge a local food without try it so, let's check El Txoko Berria Bilbao and see what it has to offer!

First thing first, location! Presentation is still important and the restaurant fulfill expectations with a low light room and old style forniture. Food choice.

Then, service. A shame. 45 minutes for an entrance and a bottle of water? Extreme slow food. If you appreciate it, then it is the right choose otherwise if you want to spend your time elsewhere stay away!

And finally, food! Time is countless if the quality and taste of the food are good. In this case, they aren't.

I ordered Porck Cheeks cooked in a special Argentina's Wine, with masched potato. The taste was forgettable: nothing special.

Price is average, but high for the averall low quality of food.

In the end, consider going somewhere else in particular for the lack of service, and its very slow operational time, rather than the food itself which is average... And...