Zeruko

I’m really quite unsure why this place is not jammed all day every day. This was our local haunt when we were in Barcelona seeing as it was on our way to many things we wanted to see and do.
The first night we walked in and asked if they make the gin tonics with the twisted spoon thing (cuchara). David, the owner, said that they did make premium gin tonics. So naturally, we ordered two. HOLY MOLY! I’d seen some bartenders in Spain make gin tonics, but this was the most over the top way to make it with dry ice and all. It was very tasty, and they had a pretty decent selection of gins. In fact, I don’t think I drank anything else there. Whoops!
The bar has your standard countertop clear refrigerator that holds a number of cold tapas. Some are on scallop shells, some look like tomatoes but they’re not, and all of the ones that we tried were very very good. Hanging above the bar is a tv that is actually showing what the chef is doing in the back to prepare the (usually) hot tapas. The cod bonfire is a particularly good prep to watch.
Gastronomically, this place is great. They are a little bit pricey, but it’s not extravagant. You’ll likely have at least 4 of the 5 senses satisfied should you come here. I would highly recommend anyone to go here.
They also have a location in San Sebastian, although I’ve not been there.

Si quieres comer pintxos de calidad en Barcelona, no lo dudes, Zeruko es tu lugar. Se entremezclan pintxos vascos clásicos con propuestas de autor muy originales (y algún que otro trampantojo). Eso sí, no es barato. Fuimos dos personas y el camarero nos aconsejó no mirar la carta, así que nos dejamos aconsejar y nos trajeron un surtido de distintos pintxos y platillos. Todos ellos muy buenos, pero hay que decir que en general las raciones son escasas, y acabamos pagando casi 40 € por persona.
No obstante, nuestra impresión fue muy buena y, sin duda, volveremos.

Zeruko aterriza directo de Donosti en la Gran Via. Raciones pequeñas de alta calidad –al fin y al cabo son pintxos– para precios acorde (?) con la alta calidad (percibi da?).
No sé, yo no me he quedado a gusto. Me ha faltado, sinceramente, cantidad y calidad.
Los pintxos son imaginativos y están bien ejecutados, pero a mí me da la sensación de estar como recalentados o… no se, no me da la talla; y lo siento, porque seguro que lo han montado con muchisimas ganas e ilusión.
Algunos platos valen la pena, son muy originales, pero me he quedado con hambre.
Y si llevas niños, es difícil. Al final le han hecho, amablemente, hamburguesa con arroz con tomate.

The manager really hooked us up. There were 4 of us and we entrusted him bring out the best food items. Turned out great. There was a grand finale steak that was awesome. Not your typical American steak, but the crispy and saltiness made it great.

Let me just say that this is the best kept secret so far in BCN. Only open a few months we were skeptical with how quiet it was at 10:30pm, with only one or two other people inside. However we have it a try and are blown away with one of the best meals of our lives.
Every tapa is an incredible masterpiece. The service was great and the waiter brought us a complementary taster of the grilled octopus and Seabass.
We started with the tuna tartar, which melted in your mouth and was topped with a soy sauce foam. A work of art.
We also had the octopus ceviche which was amazing.
We tried the lobster rose. Rose water in a shot glass with dry ice, dried mango and lobster on top. Very small, more just interesting to see although the lobster was great.
We also had the clams and rice which was very fresh.
For dessert we tried the white chocolate cream which was topped with an exotic fruity sorbet and basil crisps.
The second dessert was like a caramelized dough with cinnamon ice cream
The price was hard to beat as well, we were expecting to spend around 150 $ for the quality of this meal, but the whole thing, drinks included was only 65euro. The waiter brought us free shots at the end– probably because we were the only ones in there– but we couldn’t have been more satisfied.
This place is going to have a line out the door once it gets discovered. MUST TRY.

He tenido la suerte de comer en Zeruko ya un par de veces… y seguro serán varios pares de veces más.
Los vascos tienen un respeto por los ingredientes que no es patente en otras cocinas (excluyendo la japonesa). No están dispuestos a inventar cosas raras hasta conocer los mejores ingredientes y saber cómo cocinarlos a la perfección. En ese punto recién la parte creativa de ellos tiene derecho a ser parte de la mesa. Cuento corto, Zeruko es uno de esos lugares dónde el salto creativo se hizo a la vasca.
Los pintxos en barra y los platos de la carta me encantaron (vean las fotos que he subido). Si has pasado por San Sebastián entenderás… Te sentirás de vuelta… Y seguro eso no te pone triste si se trata de comida y bebida…
No es barato, no los engaño. Pero si el bolsillo es lo que aprieta y no el estómago hay cientos de bares de pintxos donde comerán pan con una que otra cosa encima.
Si quieres comida para recordar, Zeruko debe estar en esa lista.