You΄re staying in Ezcaray, so close to the unique Rioja wine region, full of fantastic, centuries-old and modern wineries, one of the best places in the world for wine!

Yes, La Cuchara de San Telmo is indeed temporarily closed. I forgot that I had read that in El Diario Vasco. That explains why it was closed during the Tamborrada and it may be a long while before they can reopen, since there was very extensive damage.

I agree with mikelg, that for great wines much closer to Ezcaray, you have the Rioja wine region, the Rioja Alavesa and the Rioja Alta, filled with fantastic wineries to visit.

We just returned from the Ribera del Duero, on the Soria side, visiting some new (for us) wineries, and it would be much too far a journey from San Sebastiαn for a day trip.

Update!
In my list above, I also read in the Diario Vasco that Malalauva had closed, to reopen somewhere in a larger space. Xarma has also closed, as the two chefs have gone their separate ways. The mythic Ibai is reopening in the same space in March, as the chef of Amelibia has taken it over and promises the same iconic dishes that were served by Alicio Garrido and his wife over so many years.

Mike thanks for the recommendation! We are also staying in Bilbao overnight so would appreciate recommendations of places to eat there, as well as Toledo and Madrid. I do plan to check through previous recommendations for Madrid on the forum, but happy for any more.

For Toledo: La Clandestina (1 Repsol sun) & La Orza (tasting menu) if you want "fancier" food),
or more casual: Taberna Botero, Alfileritos;
for tapas: El Trιbol for its bombas (large croquettes) and pulgas (little sandwiches) and carcamusas (a traditional Toledo dish, a pork stew with tomatoes and vegetables) and Taberna Skala (1 Repsol solete for casual, tapas bars).

debbie,
For Madrid, there are so very many great options---it would depend on where you΄re staying, your dining budget, style....casual or fine dining....there are lots of recommendations here in the archives.

Do you know where you΄re staying and type of food you΄d like? I have some favorite restaurants, but with different options.

Mikel

IBAI........(sigh). My lunch there was one of my all-time favorite meals. Well worth the anxiety produced when attempting to make a reservation!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ekscrunchy,
They're now taking reservation for the reopening of Ibai! It is supposed to reopen in late March. The chef owner of Amelibia has taken it over, promising to serve the classic dishes, and Alicio Garrido has promised to show up once and awhile. The sommelier will be Martin Flea, the former sommelier of Rekondo.
https://www.baribai.com

Hi Mike,

It's been a long time since I asked about restaurants in Bilbao, but our trip is in a month so I'm back into planning. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Our group is 10, I know larger groups are harder to find space for. I'm looking forward to suggestions! I do appreciate the wealth of knowledge here.

I meant to give our address in Bilbao, it is by Heros Kalea and Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea

Debbie, if your group is interested in white wine, then a tour of Marques de Murrieta winery just outside Logrono would not disappoint. Outstanding quality!
Their Marques d'Gay line is world-class.
Maribel, I remember Astelena and also Bergara. Is Bar Nestor still around?
I am done. the group of ten

Hi Zebec,

Our group is siblings and spouses doing a cycling tour in the Rioja region, we will be visiting the wineries, some of us opting for e bikes Looking forward to seeing this part of Spain.
There will be 8 of us (not 10) in Bilbao, staying by Heros Kalea and Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea. So any recommendations for casual dining or Pintxo in that area would be greatly appreciated.

Bilbao is a very, very walkable city and distances are quite irrelevant. Your place is in an area with lots of bars for pintxos and very nice restaurants, and a couple of places for a drink after lunch or dinner (Residence or Gin Fizz). For pintxos, I like Bilbao Te Quiero, La Ramona, Morrocotuda...For dining, Monocromo, Salitre, El 13 de Henao, El Capricho, Burgoa...there are dozens. The offer is endless and you will not have any issues finding a place. Try to adapt (if you can and if you want to) to our schedules and habits: aperitivo is having some pintxos and drinks with friends and family BEFORE lunch, which is the most important meal of the day and lasts long, starting around 2pm. Dinner is much smaller, we do not care much about it, and it΄s normally not before 0930pm. Pintxos time (one pintxo per bar with a drink, then on to next place after 15min more or less) in the evening starts around 7pm and lasts until 9pm, normally. And then, a light dinner. You do not have to have a pintxo in each bar, of course, we normally don΄t. It could replace dinner, too, if you΄re not too hungry.

Thank you, we are looking forward to exploring!