Mafe's Tavern - Bilbao

El local no parece un restaurante típico, desconcierta un poco al entrar, y la música alta también nos sorprendió, es un bar coctelería restaurante, comimos un viernes y estuvimos solos, pedimos el menú Txuleta y nos sirvieron una txuleta que estaba buenísima, acompañada de unas patatas fritas caseras, pimientos de Gernika supongo que serían o de Padrón no sé y una ensalada de lechuga y cebolla, muy buena también, el vino que pedimos por copas, no queríamos una botella entera, un tinto muy rico y de postre un bizcocho de chocolate para compartir que también nos gustó, con cafés pagamos 64€ para dos personas que nos pareció un precio estupendo para lo bien que estuvo todo, seguro que si volvemos a Bilbao repetiremos

We stopped for some quick lunch and basically picked Mafes because it was the nearest place. The set menu was quite nice. Good goat cheese salad, and the fried squid (chipirones) were perfectly made. The tiramisu was boring, though.

We wandered in here about 1300 after our walk around town, and on our way back to the Old Quarter, where we stayed. It seems like for the lunch meal, the menu del dia is where it's at. You get two plates the first a little lighter, the second will sit with you a while plus a drink and dessert or coffee for 11.50 euros. The service was good, but a little standoffish, like most Spanish restaurants we've been to. They're not like American restaurants who smother you and try to push you out, ready for the next table. I have a feeling that the time we went is really slow and not too busy. They let you linger. For our first portion, my daughter and I got the omelette with wild mushrooms. There were tons of mushrooms, which I loved. My wife and sons got the paella with beef, which is good also. I like that these menus del dia have multiple choices, so you can pick off of the other plates and see what you're missing. For the second portion, my daughter went with hamburger and tomatoes, while the rest of us went with sirloin. The hamburger was great, but be warned, they go very rare. The steak was rare also, but very tasty, with a mustard sauce. Mine was light, but my son's steak had a very strong sauce. There was also a hake, but we're waiting another day for the fish. For dessert, we should probably try to cover everything and just pick out a little portion. My tiramisu was creamy and delicious, not too much espresso. The chocolate mousse was more of a pastry with a very thick chocolate. Not really a mousse, but excellent. My wife had an apple tart, which had a little lemon kick to it. Tasting all these makes me wish I got the cheesecake. All in all, a great meal and one of the best overall so far.

Menu txuleton for euros more than correct. Although the piece that touched us had enough fat, the taste ration quality price great. also have a fantastic terrace to eat outdoors. The rich muuuuuy cheesecake.If we ever want to eat a txuleton again, we'll be back.