Sometimes it feels like fate has a real hand in our lives. When one's eyes open to possibility, the previously unseen becomes visible. When those eyes are open to a targeted possibility, then the visible is lit with neon lights. For me, Centro Basco is a reminder that possibility is tangible.
For those of you who love to eat, you know what I mean when I say that my ears are always open for something new to eat, even when I have completely stuffed myself and could not eat another bite. The next taste adventure is always around the corner.
Somehow, in a conversation, the topic of Basque food came up. We were told that Bakersfield is the place to go for the real deal in Basque cuisine. Bakersfield isn't around the corner but, being the food addicted nuts that we are, we promptly bookmarked a recommended restaurant and started talking about driving to Bakersfield just to eat.
A month or so later, the stars align again and someone mentions that there is a Basque population in Chino. Chino! That is just around the corner. Lo and behold, here comes another restaurant recommendation and we bookmark that.
Coincidence and coincidence and, yet again, another. Just a little while ago our little food critic in training is invited to a birthday party. Where? Not Chino. Claremont, but close enough for us.
Stars aligned, the three of us head to Centro Basco for dinner.
Dinner here is an experience. First off, enter the restaurant from the side door, unless you need a drink first. The front door leads to the bar. From the side door, you enter a dim, wide open, older dining room where locals in the know are seated. In fact, they also know that you aren't from around here. Fortunately they smiled.
If you call ahead, you can get the time for the family-style seating. It's a set course and you sit at long tables with lots of people. Unfortunately we were too late for that. However, there is a regular menu that is served throughout the dinner hours.
The Basque know lamb, so I ordered lamb (definitely a must repeat). Mr. Handsome ordered roast chicken and our little food critic in training ordered veal. Then the parade started. We ordered the tongue and tomato, which came first. Ewww, I thought, but I'm willing to try. Shocking! It's tasty. Order this. Then came the bread. Next we got a big bowl of soup for the table. From there, the salad was served. The bread, soup, and salad are part of the meal and one could easily be filled up just from that. Finally our entrees arrived. They were all wonderful and homey. We ate our fill. However, we are professional eaters...or we think we are. When it came time for dessert, we found room to make it happen. Again, order the flan. Oh my! So darned good.
The wait staff were efficient and friendly in that 'welcome to my home' sort of way. The food tasted like someone's amazing family cook was in the back making it just for you. There is love in the hand of the kitchen staff who prepared the food. In the end, I left wishing that I had a Basque grandmother back home to keep me fed.
Bakersfield is still on our list. After all, now we need to eat to compare, right? Mostly, when the stars align and shine in neon, one must heed the call. What wonder awaits where that light does shine? read more