In the somewhat sleepy neighborhood of El Antiguo, a new restaurant opened about two weeks ago that may just prove to be one of the neighborhood‘s new favorites.

The project of chef David Ragnacci, who used to work in the financial industry, El Bistro Ondarreta is a small, French bistro style restaurant in a city that leans more towards pintxos and steakhouses. Following in the lineage of Gerald’s Bar and Arenales, David serves up small plates of seasonal cooking with just enough attitude to give it a personal feel and international perspective.

It’s not everywhere in San Sebastian that you can get fluffy gougeres to pop by the mouthful.

Or, for that matter, eggplant caviar served with perfectly roasted hazelnuts. And despite the proximity of the cold Cantabrian Sea, it’s not everywhere in San Sebastian that you can get wonderfully fresh tuna tartare with a perfectly balanced acidity.

David has worked as a chef in San Sebastian for about a decade in favorite spots like La Madame and Basqueland Izakaia.  He has a what amounts to a cult following among people looking for different culinary offerings in the city and people passionate about rare and natural wines.

That’s the line that he pursues in his new restaurant where we ate this week. The wine list is super exciting for people who love to be surprised, read : not going to find much Rioja here.

The food is seasonal, delightful, and, most importantly, some thing you could easily eat a couple times a week. Pro tip for those of us who live in San Sebastian: there is tons of free parking around dinner time in the area.

If you follow me at all, you know I’ve been pretty busy lately, and not able to write too much on this blog. So, I’m sorry and please take this hot-n- now dining tip as a token of my apologies. Love you!

El Bistro Ondarreta

Vitoria-Gasteiz Kalea, 2

20018 Donostia, Gipuzkoa

https://www.bistroondarreta.com