Difficult to ccmment on a place about which so much has already been said. If the experience here does not demonstrate the Basque mastery of all things grilled and all things restaurant, nothing does.

Even if some Iparralde grills of the most traditional kind, such as Arrantzaleak in Ciboure, approximate to these standards, the French side is light years away from Hegoaldean / Spanish nirvana. That is, what you find in places like Bizkaian Etxebarri or Elkano here (see also Xixario in Orio for another beautiful, more informal and maybe less famous example).

We come on a day when they don't have any specials, and some highlights (those grilled salmonetes that I've seen lovely pictures of) are also absent. On top of that, my partner does not want to check on the rodaballo (which seems to be a key treasure here, according to what I've heard). But all in all the experience is extremely pleasant.

We have lenguado for 3 (that we share for the 4 of us, 2 adults + 2 kids). And we previously take a beautiful baked txangurro (centollo) and some pimientos asados which may be not so elegant as the ones in La Manduca (Madrid), but are quite as good as those (and come at about 1/3 of the price).

The lenguado is wonderful. Some may (rightly) think that Lenguado Evaristo at El Pescador or Filandón in Madrid is the best one you can possibly have. But (to me) this is even better. I find myself checking on the remains (that they kindly leave on the table after preparing the four "clean" portions) for an extra fix...

Service is absolutely elegant and correct, as one would expect in a top class place. And atmosphere is eclectic tonight. This is becoming a very famous place and that may drive customer mix a bit towards the business segment (a pity, but that's reality). However, there are also couples here, including young, Basque speaking customers. A sign that the restaurant remains quite integrated with the environment (a walk around Getaria afterwards reveals one of the most intensively Euskaldun villages that I have ever seen).

We pay around €55 / head, definitely not expensive for this level, and including a glass of red Rioja and two bottles of beautiful Bob's Beer from Hasparren that I already drunk at St Jean de Luz the day before (at Piper Beltz). This also includes two incredibly good desserts that we share (crema de queso con helado de nata y nueces and tarta de chocolate con helado de vainilla).

All in all, one of the key Asadores (in the world), together with (of course) Etxebarri, Xixario (clearly more informal, but I really love it!) and possibly (to be checked in a few days) Güeyu Mar in Ribadesella or even Kaipe (also in Getaria, I leave it for the next time). I've also heard about some Swedish joint (Ekstedt) where I should go at some time in the future (but that's more difficult ;-)).