Benjis is more French than Spanish (frogs legs are popular), but the big ticket is a dessert soufflchocolate, lemon, Grand Marnier, or raspberry. I almost got up and had to go get the drinks from the bar myself. The food is delicious and very satisfying. The place was dark inside, not too many windows. Lingua Franca opens on this L.A. landmark. Even brought me a container with more soup and tongue salad when I asked her to box it up so I could take some to my dad in the hospital. Lots of choices on the menu and the family style serving was a great way to giveeveryone a choice. The change from daylight to dark took our eyes a bit to adjust. Bakersfield, CA 93309. Basque salsa really spices up the soup, by the way. Chance of rain 40%. She said her husband and father-in-law built the larger Maitia Basque Cafe on Union Avenue near 34th Street, and ran it from around 1981 to 1996. The corporation had to file bankruptcy, said Joy Stewart, 63, who bought the restaurant on Coffee Road in 2005 as an agent of James L. Stewart, Inc. to run it with sons Brian and Greg Riggins. The Basque Cultural Center hosts many dinners, banquets and parties daily in its three banquet rooms, a spacious dining room, and an outdoor covered solarium. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy. They purchased a little cafe on 21st Street, she said, in a building that is no longer there. . This was my first experience with Basque food and I was so excited to be there. Watch Huell Enjoys Noriega's Basque Restaurant in Bakersfield | California's Gold with Huell Howser Season | KCET Order one when you choose your entre so the wait staff can time its delivery. He came by only to drop off the food. First there are tureens of vegetable soup, which you enrich to taste with spicy Basque salsa and a dose of boiled pinto beans, wrote Gold in a 1992 guide to Bakersfield. It's a must while visiting this place to taste delicious coffee or great tea. He spent much of his time talking on his cell phone or waiting on the other two tables (he was very friendly/hands on and solicitous of the other table (of six people) so it was completely obvious that he didn't want to be bothered with my husband and me). Order one when you choose your entre so the wait staff can time its delivery. I ended up paying $20 for total garbage. A visitor can expect a Basque meal to be served family style at long trestle tables, with hearty courses, meat or seafood entree and a red wine present throughout the meal. They have a separate bar and it looked like a band was setting up to play on Friday. 200 Oak St Bakersfield, CA 93304 (Map & Directions) (661) 327-2915 Cuisine: Basque, French, Spanish Neighborhood: Bakersfield Website: www.basquerestaurantbakersfield.com Leaflet | OSM See Larger Map - Get Directions Bookmark Update Menu Edit Info Read Reviews Write Review Share Hours Open Today: 11:00am-9:00pm Monday 11:00am - 9:00pm I feel terrible that it came to this. Yvonne Etcheveste, former owner of the Chateau Basque in Bakersfield and my cousin, shared her version of Basque vegetable soup. Of course, you might wonder why a family (one who had the Misfortune of answering a phone while in a restaurant) was asked by the waiter to leave rather than the table of drunk old Men of are apparently "bar regulars".. That was the charm of Noriegas, he said. amzn_assoc_title = "Basque Cookbooks"; Feel free to share this post with anyone looking for some good Basque food. In early years, the restaurants location next to the railroad depot brought in the customers young men from the Basque Country who got off the train looking for employment as sheepherders. Then theres salad like Greek salad, but with a tangy dressing and a plate of pickled tongue (yum!). Escargot $9.00 Salads & Sides Tuna Salad $8.25 Shrimp Salad $10.95 Chef's Salad $10.50 Ham, chicken, cheese. Need to save room for dessert the next time we go there. They have a separate bar and it looked like a band was setting up to play on Friday.More, Chalet Basque is a Bakersfield institution. Their wait staff are courteous and attentive. We chose veal sweetbreads, garlic fried chicken and lamb kebab. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; . Whats going on? Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, An almost vegan food crawl with Theo Rossi, Emily the Criminal star and hummus traditionalist, Chicken-flavored ice cream? The Pyrenees breakfast menu offers pleasant surprises: Nab a seat at one of the outdoor patio tables and order the bacon-stuffed pancakes., Right next to the 99 freeway, and surrounded by graceful queen palms, the Chalet Basque Restaurant has small tables and booths in lieu of family-style trestle tablesmore appropriate for date nightbut everything else is traditional Basque. Read about the Kern County Museum Exhibit. https://euskalkazeta.com/noriegas-hotel-in-bakersfield-closes-for-good/#comment-530222. There was only one waitress on duty because it was 3 in the afternoon. The waiter made it very clear that he was uninterested in serving us. Unless you and your family want to be traumatized! March 4 . was fresh yesterday. Article highlighting the history of Benji's. Read our story about Noriegas James Beard award. We ordered one dinner without entree and one with roast lamb. About 15 people in restaurant and one waiter. Anywhere you go, youll be served a similar setup, as its calledsourdough bread, cabbage soup, beans, salsa, boiled vegetables, pickled tongue, and spaghetti. Benji's French Basque Restaurant is a simple spot for traditional Basque cuisine, including unique dishes like pickled tongue & frog legs. It's highway close and after wanting to stop for Basque food for years, I finally read some reviews and chose this place because of its ratings and the fact that they were open mid-afternoon.We ordered one dinner without entree and one with roast lamb. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; If I could, I wouldgive the food five stars and the service a zero or one. Lamont restaurants. The museum is planning a display commemorating Noriegas in its Trolley Car Station. The legendary large-format restaurant is a James Beard Foundation American Classic category winner from 2011, and has been in operation since the 1930s. She and JB honed their skills as cooks and servers . Tag #VISITCALIFORNIA on Instagram to have your trip featured on our page. It would easily feed two people who were very hungry. This restaurant is well known for serving French and Spanish cuisines. Low 44F. The soup comes in a big bowl, family-style, and you serve as much or as little as you want into your own bowl. If you would like to experience this in a "family" restaurant I would also recommend Chalet Basque!!! Some had worked there for decades. Lisa loves getting to know her customers and offering them an unforgettable dining experience! CENTRO BASCO 13432 Central Ave. Chino, California 91710 (909 . The doors finally closed on Noriegas, the oldest Basque boardinghouse-style restaurant in the West. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. #ChaletbasqueMore, Went to Chalet Basque because the Basque place we wanted to dine at was full. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Low 44F. Right next to the 99 freeway, and surrounded by graceful queen palms, the, , patrons try to manage their calorie intake during the setup so they save room for dessert. The whole effect is enormous! She came from the back and seated us right away. The bread was off the shelf plain sliced bread. Chalet is an old Bakersfield staple for Basque food, but it was obvious why we could get in so easy. If youre not that hungry, just sit at the bar and order a Picon Punchthe customary Basque brandy-and-grenadine highball, usually mixed with a bitter orange liqueur or sometimes maraschino cherry juice, and typically garnished with a lemon peel. If you would like to experience this in a "family" restaurant I would also recommend Chalet Basque!!! "It was never a Basque recipe [pickled tongue], 'cause in the Basque countries, they eat tongue it's usually warm and in like a stew," Jenny Maitia-Poncetta, [] In Bakersfields Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll findthe largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Osathanugrah is the owner of KK's Cafe on Golden State Highway. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) A Bakersfield landmark has reopened for business in a new location. Skip the chicken and fries if you're celiac. Restaurant Basque Dinner Menu Third Thursday Wine Dinner Menu. Each dining hall has its specialties, but one fact unites them: Basque food is served in hearty, prodigious quantities. 37 reviews #324 of 551 Restaurants in Bakersfield $$ - $$$ Spanish Basque 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304-2433 +1 661-327-2915 Website Menu Open now : 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM See all (8) Enhance this page - Upload photos! Overcast with rain showers at times. You have permission to edit this article. This place is not near the same as it was with the previous owners. Toll Free (866) 425-7353 Local (661) 852-7282 It was light and flaky and cooked to perfection. noriegas bakersfield menu, . Phone (661) 885-8515. A family-style dining experience that once . Typically, this first course consists of a simple vegetable soup. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. Bakersfield, CA 93305 Need to save room for dessert the next time we go there.More, Been going here for many years. In 1931, Gracianne Grace and Jean Elizalde, who Ladd referred to as Amatxi and Aitatxi, bought the hotel from the Noriegas. The waiters seem to have all worked there forever and know the menu well. Restaurant What to Get: Show / Episode / Recommended By Yelp! Benji's French-Basque Restaurant. Since my husband was reading the menu with the flashlight on his phone, we moved to a table that only had 1 burned out lightbulb. By using this site you agree to Zomato's use of cookies to give you a personalised experience. Full menu with prices & pictures. 4809 Stockdale Hwy. On social media, fans lamented the loss of the Noriegas signature Picon Punch and garlicky pickled beef tongue, as well as the historic culture and community the Central Valley restaurant had come to represent an end of an era in Bakersfield. Local Basque Cuisine Loses Master of Sauces. Bakersfield, California 93304, 4001 Rosedale Highway Read our story about Noriegas James Beard award, Memories of Handball at the Noriega Hotel, How to Make Basque Garlic Soup - Baratxuri Salda. Chalet Basque Restaurant (661) 327-2915 We make ordering easy. I tried for six months to do everything I could, Stewart said. The current listed sale price for Fully leased, Value-Add, Office/Warehouse Project is $2,400,000. Chalet Basque Restau. Noriegas was the oldest Basque boardinghouse still in operation in the American West. Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. My filet was huge. Its dining room walls are lined with black-and-white photos of Basque pioneers. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little more upscale than fast food or a chain restaurant. bottom of page Your email address will not be published. The food tastes home-cooked and not restaurant portioned. It is Spanish Basque food. Huell Howser Wool Growers Basque Restaurant - Bakersfield, CA. Since my husband was reading the menu with the flashlight on his phone, we moved to a table that only had 1 burned out lightbulb. The theme of which is the outrageous rudeness of answering a phone when in a restaurant. Its a monumental task for even the biggest eaters, but Central Valley. Error: There is no connected account for the user 253329000 Feed will not update. I had to scale down, Frank Maitia Jr. said. Start your exploration of Basque food culture at the Wool Growers Restaurant on 19th Street, clearly marked by a neon sheep sign. Adress: 200 Oak St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA phone: (661) 327-2915 Work Hours Mon 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Tue 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Wed 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Thu 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Fri 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Sat 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Sun 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Specialties We are a traditional Basque restaurant in Bakersfield, CA. The description on the restaurant says Hungarian. And to get in on these fun discussions were having on social media, follow Hella Basque on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Thank you for reading! I must say I liked this place best of the three we have tried so far. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, My aita had a great time watching the pilotariak at the BCC this weekend. Bakersfield, California 93305, 622 East 21st Street The food was good, it's the traditional basque farmers food that's been a staple in Bakersfield". Meals Served Family Style--Copious Amounts! Aged Sherry Caramel, Chimichurri, Sourdough. Oh no, what sad news! amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "hellabasque-20"; When I prepare this rustic soup and smell the garlic, Im transported back to the Basque Country where I enjoyed this wonderful salda or soup. Basque Singer Mikel Urdangarin Sings for Basque-American Audience, Kern County Basque Festival 2022 Basques Talk about the Best Part of Being Basque, Institute for Basque Studies to be Inaugurated at Cal State Bakersfield, Basque Folk Singer Mikel Urdangarin to Perform in California, Basque Film Part of Online Smithsonian Film Festival April 1 30, Top Four Things to Do at the Bakersfield Basque Festival, Basque Exhibits at Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, Not Even the Rain Could Dampen Spirits at the Bakersfield Picnic, Yvonne Etcheveste, longtime Bakersfield restaurant owner, 1931 2017, People of Kern County Basque Festival 2017, Your email address will not be published. However said waiter won't tell the drunk patrons to leave because the are " bar regulars." He was a bit disappointed in the preparation, but said it was tasty. We had been seated at a table with dim romantic light. We enjoyed the salsa so much that we applied it liberally to the soup, beans and vegetables.More, While heading to Yosemite from Los Angeles, we stopped off at the Chalet. (661) 327-2915, Chalet Basque Restaurant & Pub200 Oak Street Enjoying Basque food at the Basque restaurant Harvest Vine in Seattle, Wash. With beans and bone broth, this soup can even serve as a main course. He was expecting a leg of lamb with the bone and instead got two slices of leg of lamb soaked in gravy. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The restaurants historic back bar, which dates back to 1940, was purchased with the help of donations and moved to the Kern County Museum. #Chaletbasque. Started in 1893 as the Iberia Hotel, it later became the Noriega Hotel. Its really nice to see this blog. Frank Sr. passed away April 10, on his birthday. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; The Basque community has a rich cultural heritage with a love of dance, music, food, pilota and more. Very tasty but possible cross contamination with the fryer. All dinner meals come with soup, salad, bread, beans, spicy tomato sauce, vegetable and tongue salad. The only bar (well, no, there is one in W Texas) with a walk-in safe ensuite. In addition to the multi-course setup, the Chalet serves a garlicky escargot you wont find elsewhere. Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail. Everything in the setup, seemed like they were scrimping on ingredients to save money. Basque | Noriega's | Bakersfield Reservations Order Online View Menu A Family legacy of BASQUE CUISINE Our continued tradition of family style seating, combined with a multitude of courses bursting with flavor, sets us apart from your everyday dining experience. You do get a lot of food; Soup and Salad. The restaurant was named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2011. Is this the same place that held the 6th grade dare dances in the early 90s, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Bakersfield, Hotels with Military Discounts in Bakersfield, Hotels near California Living Museum (CALM), Hotels near Murray Family Farms, The Big Red Barn, Hotels near Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center, Hotels near Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, Italian Restaurants for Families in Bakersfield, Japanese Restaurants for Families in Bakersfield, Restaurants for Group Dining in Bakersfield, Restaurants for Special Occasions in Bakersfield, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Bakersfield. Updated July 2021: A new Noriegas, with menu, chef and decor from the original Noriegas, has opened at 4809 Stockdale Hwy. Get quick answers from Chalet Basque staff and past visitors. Proudly created with Wix.com. Thanks for letting me know. The restaurant is named for its proprietor, 67-year-old Basque immigrant Bernard "Benat" Benji Arduain, who first established the French-style dining destination on Union Avenue in 1986. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Give it a chance if you have time!More, Actually went to Chalet Basque twice this month. You can search for a particular restaurant, like Umi Sushi or Blue Elephant, by its name. The bar was nice and looked like a cool place to hang out. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for a date night or a lunch with friends. It was cold inside the bar, which was empty, and only slightly warmer in the restaurant, my wife was shivering when we left. How to Make Basque Garlic Soup - Baratxuri Salda. He never even came by to refill my husband's water glass. Add a photo 37 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES Spanish Meals Dinner, Lunch FEATURES The whole effect is enormous! A local businessman, Seven Bates, hoped to keep the restaurant alive in an arrangement that would involve the Elizalde family and started a Save the Noriega Hotel Facebook. Good size shrimp, lot". keep sharing the blog like this. If there are any restaurants on the list that intrigue you, I encourage you to visit their websites and check out their menus. So yummy! In Bakersfield's Old Town Kern neighborhoodalso known as the Basque Blockyou'll find the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. Some serve traditional Basque American boarding house style dinners, while others just have a few Basque dishes for you to try. The community response was surprising to the family, considering that business hasnt been that good for the past few years, she added.