Restaurante Marisquería Serantes — Restaurant in Bilbao

I visited Serantes in Bilbao on May 30, 2024, with friends. The restaurant was recommended by a local as a top place for seafood and has been mentioned several times in the Michelin guide, which raised our expectations. We arrived without a reservation but were fortunate to get a table for four. However, from that point on, the experience was disappointing. No specials or recommendations were offered by the staff - we had to choose from the menu without any guidance. The waiter poured the wine directly into our glasses without offering a taste first. To their credit, when I mentioned that the wine didn't meet my expectations, they did allow me to try another bottle - though unfortunately, it also lacked the typical character I expect from Albariño. The oysters arrived on a tray of ice, already opened but not separated from the shell. No one informed us of this, and no proper utensils were provided, so I had to detach them using a fork - an inappropriate presentation for a restaurant of this caliber. Worse, when they cleared the oyster tray, melted ice water spilled onto the table and onto my belongings, which were on a chair. Again, not something one expects from a restaurant of this supposed standard. The soup that followed was poured at the table, but sloppily - spilling over the edges of the plates, giving the impression of a canteen rather than a fine dining restaurant. The one highlight was the fish: perfectly cooked and full of flavor. In summary, Serantes needs serious investment in staff training. A restaurant with these prices cannot afford such unprofessional service. My friends and I left disappointed...

We were 4 people (Me and 3 other women) and ordered the lobster rice for 3 after explaining the manager that my mother did not like lobster and asking to replace the lobster for shrimps for her, which they agreed to.

The rice was quite good, no issues there.

However, the portions were ridiculously small and even the 2 women who eat very little were shocked , not being able to have a full plate . It was clearly a 2 people portion served for 3 and it had at most a small lobster of small size in it and very small amount of rice .

We mentioned this to the manager that guaranteed us the portion was according to the usual quantity which didjt convince us at all.

When the bill came, we were all shocked that they were trying to charge us 25eur extra for 8 small shrimps (when it was supposed to be a replacement for the lobster which is obviously even more expensive).

We complained and the manager was arrogant and tried to force us to pay for it, starting an unnecessary argument .

Unfortunately I had to raise my voice a bit more than I would have liked until he agreed to remove the extra charge and he was extremely rude just throwing the new. Ill on the table and not even answering my sister when she said goodbye.

I went to a lot more expensive restaurants all over the world and never experienced such situation, the day before we went to Amare and paid twice the bill snd so haloy about the service , it wasnt really about the money, just a matter of principle.

The waiter serving us was also totally absent and unprepared.

Good food but terrible character from the manager who is too full of himself ruined...

We were seated quickly as a walk in without a reservation, bonus point.

On the table we noticed dirty plates, napkins and cutlery that were replaced up on request.

We were told the specials of the day and ordered a starter and main courses, drinks.

The drinks were brought outside by hand without a tray, and the waiter held the glasses by the top. A massive no go!

The starter were calamaris that arrived on a plate without a sauce or a lemon. We asked for a sauce and were asked if mayonnaise is ok? We said yes and after 10 minutes we just started eating without any sauce.

The main courses arrived, 2 steaks and some fries. Both medium rare although we asked for 1 to be medium. Two fried haka, the presentation was just not present.

I have to say i was working in the service industry and know service very well, also in the group was a chef so we have first hand experience in quality and service.

The fifth dish, a meat dish was very nice.

We asked for the bill after dinner and noticed that additional drinks were added, which we did not order. We requested those to be removed and received no complaint from the staff. I normally leave a minimum of 10% tip but we were very disappointed with the presentation and the customer service and there for did not complain but also left no tip.

Up on leavening nobody said good bye.

For advertising with Michelin recommendations at the door holding fish restaurant we had a bad experience and would not...