Restaurante Beethoven — Restaurant in Haro

If Dante had envisioned a culinary circle of hell, Beethoven II in Haro, Spain, would be its crowning jewel. Garnering a misleading 4.3 stars on Google Reviews, this establishment proudly touts its "authentic local cuisine." However, my recent visit revealed a dining experience so dreadful, it could only be described as a tragicomedy of errors.

The journey began with a warm, albeit misleading welcome from the staff. Incredibly rude, they exhibited the charm of Soviet-era bureaucrats, efficiently crushing any initial enthusiasm. The decor mirrored this demeanor perfectly: imagine stepping into a time capsule from a dreary 1970s Eastern Bloc cafeteria.

Perusing the menu, I dared to hope. The descriptions were intriguing, promising a culinary adventure. Alas, what followed was a descent into gastronomic purgatory. I ordered ham, mushroom, and prawn croquettes, only to be served fish croquettes. This bait-and-switch set the tone for the rest of the meal.

Next came the "fresh salad," which turned out to be a bland assortment of boiled mixed vegetables. Less flavorful than the dirt from which they were presumably plucked, this dish was an affront to salads everywhere. The garlic prawns, minuscule in size and frozen in taste, were so unappetizing that I briefly contemplated the possibility of food poisoning.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the patatas bravas. When we ordered, the waitress warned us that they were hard to share—a cryptic remark that soon made horrifying sense. The patatas bravas arrived in soup form, a greasy concoction accompanied by two inexplicable fried prawns. Since when does patatas bravas equate to a bewildering soup? This dish was a surreal, culinary travesty, defying both tradition and logic.

The grand total for this abominable experience was 81 Euros, a fee that felt like a blessing if it meant escaping the rest of the meal. I would happily pay 100 Euros just to avoid ever setting foot in Beethoven II again.

In conclusion, Beethoven II is a masterclass in misleading advertising. If you cherish your palate and sanity, steer clear of this restaurant. Its claim to authentic local cuisine is as hollow as the echo of my footsteps hastily exiting its premises. Beethoven himself would turn in his grave at the thought of his name being associated with such a culinary...

There are many very good tapas bars in lovely Haro. But you shouldn't miss out on this. It's not just a tapas bar, but also full restaurant with an interesting menu. But we came for the Tapas. On weekends it can get pretty packed, but it's well worth the wait. We had our Bulldog with. Dogs are not allowed inside, but luckily they don't mind if you sit inside the entrance hall or stand at one of the tables in the entrance hall (good if it rains). And that's really fair enough and we were happy to enjoy these excellent Tapas when our dog was with. The Tapas here come with interesting twist and are divine. Some of the best Tapa creations we've ever came across. And the prices are still quite low. Great wine as well (try the white Muga).

There are Tapas like shrimp inside a crispy spring roll dough, Bacalau topped with jamon and asparagus, meat croqueta topped with mayo and crispy onions. And there are many more....all looking fantastic. But couldn't try them all (a good reason to come back one day). They also serve small plates. We tried the frog legs in sauce, and as the Tapas they were perfectly cooked and tender. And for the price they sell them quite the steal.

All in all wonderful restaurant with the most excellent Tapas. Definitely one of the great ones this place. We...

91/100 - I read other negative reviews here, but I disagree. The place is a little expensive by Spanish standards, but you have understand what you're paying for. This restaurant is a very old family run business and is a local institution. They have expanded the business well, now including 3 restaurants and accommodation in the city centre. They serve excellent authentic food by local people. Sure, many of the staff do not speak English, but it's the same everywhere in Spain outside of the main cities/tourist traps. If you want to experience the real Spain this is the price you pay. Learn a few words before you come and it will take you a long way. Anyway - to the food:

Starters: Patatas con Chorizo a la Riojana - 8/10 Morchilla y Chorizo fritto con Pimentos - 6/10

Mains: Solomino de Ternera - 7/10 Corderito Lechal Asado - 8/10

Wine: Botega La Rioja Alta Bikaña - 10/10 One of the best wines I've ever had, and only available...