Ametsa

For a special occasion, I thought that dining at Ametsa was a good experience. We went around Valentine's Day and booked the £50 special 6-course tasting menu deal thru Bookatable. I thought that the food was uniquely presented, playful yet delicious. I would definitely recommend Ametsa if you want to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special date.

Had a lovely afternoon meal. The super crispy onion skin which was full of flavour was particularly memorable, as were the translucent paper-thin sweet potato. The dishes were elegant and well cooked but not outstanding in flavour. Staff were very friendly and well mannered though not super attentive. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

We partnered with Ametsa to host a lovely private event, with special access to a very cosy private dining room behind the bar. With very little hints of what to expect from a minimally descriptive menu, every dish was a delightful artwork of surprising flavors and combinations—from an apple disguised as a peach, to a mysterious purple honey-combed shape candy which turned out to be a sweet potato. Each course was paired with an amazing Spanish wine, starting with two distinctive whites from various regions of Spain, followed by a punchy Bobal red, and vibrant moscatel wines to top off the evening. The creativity of the chef and the sommelier was undeniable. The service extremely attentive and friendly without being overbearing. While it’s easy to expect pretentiousness at an establishment as high class as this, I felt nothing but warmth, friendliness, a genuine sense of fun and passion in everything that was served. Would definitely return for either a date night or another private event!

This is a 5* experience when judged by any sane standard of eating, but as a michelin-level restaurant it fell a little short of perfection. First world problems! The good: inventive food that really has a Basque feel - the salt and the sea, ox cheek, and each course is an explosion of colour. The cooking was precise and in most cases the ‘reconstruction’ and presentation was inspiring. The cod with salsa Verde and chickpea ‘schmeer’ was a triumph of texture and taste. The ox cheek in black sauce not so much. Cooking and flavour were great but it looked like it’d fallen on the plate! The arranged of prawn under a rock was fantastic and the textures a surprise - a dry meringue of seaweed, a prawn cracker batter around a leaf... lovely. The appetisers though lacked texture even as the zing of marmalade on the black pudding was a surprise. The staff were exceptional - wonderful service, great information and a real passion. The anise donut (no dough!) was a purée apple in a chocolate casing. Incredible. We had an odd situation of having a minimum spend (inherited from a cancelled meal) and so ended up drinking wines that were way beyond sense. The sommelier shares a level of delight and I’ll just attach a picture. A pleasure. The atmosphere was a little subdued. The place was only a third full and the diners were older, quieter, more serious than perhaps the fun of the menu deserved. The cool design lines lacked warmth and the furnishing was not as inventive as the crockery. Were this a bit more worn, with the patrons in evidence and more of the basque warmth (like the wonderful service staff) it would be a real ‘wow’ destination. As I said, 5* on any normal planet. 4 given due to cost and the competition at this level.

We had a gift for their five course taster menu. Wasn't quite sure what to expect but surpassed expectations. From the moment we arrived the service was excellent. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Every dish that was served was explained, even suggesting how or when to eat them!Although the dishes looked minimalist the presentation was superb and the food tasted great and by the time we finished we were both feeling full. We were not hurried at all and the service was attentive without being intrusive. Overall a great experience and would recommend.

In this case I can say a restaurant lives up to its good reviews entirely. Enjoyed a relaxed and refined lunch under a spicily futuristic ceiling at a window table viewing courtyard greenery. A good place to enjoy conversation in peace and the atmosphere was not stuffy but calm (this was a Tuesday lunchtime: I was advised that peak times are rather more energetic). The dishes: of high standard both in taste and presentation. Raspberry and Tomato cold soup starter being a refreshing and successful example. The staff were effortlessly charming, competent and helpful. Top marks for combining all of this and making it so pleasant, so at ease.