BILBAO - this restaurant NOT recommended

[StoicWarrior]

The Getxo Marina in Bilbao has a lot to recommend it, but from our experience two weeks ago the Parrillas Del Mar Restaurant is to be avoided. It is the first restauant on the quay directly opposite the marina office so its location has your attention, and although it looks jolly and the menu sounds fine, the reality is different; our experience was this: over priced for what you get, over-cooked when it arrived, tuna "steaks" which were wafer thin, salads drenched in cheap oil and stroppy service on top. Insult was added to injury when it came time to pay the bill. A VISA card was used, which was based in GBP, but when the pay slip was presented for signature a currency conversion to EUR was already done at a very poor rate of 1.41 (hole in the wall rate that day was 1.45), AND another 3% commission was applied ON TOP! Now, VISA transactions are coverted, of course, but not like that nor at those rates, but that's not the point here. When I objected and stated I'd pay cash instead the manager refused to consider it, saying she couldn't and wouldn't reverse the transaction to do extra paperwork. When I refused to sign the bill she said it didn't matter because the transaction would still go through. I speak Spanish so there was no doubt of miscommunication. Upon arriving back home in Britain my VISA bill was already here and the restaurant bill and its sur-charges were on it.

There's no tirade here just a firm resolve to inform the boating community of sharp practice and arrogance there and to suggest that you bypass the Parrillas Del Mar restaurant, Qetxo Marina, Bilbao, Spain /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.

 

[bobupanddown]

When you pay by VISA it is YOU not the restaurant who can decide which currency to pay in. The simple answer is to contest the transaction with VISA who should be on your side as the restuarant is breaking VISA rules.

 

[StoicWarrior]

Bob - I know that already, thanks; VISA has been alerted and other after-the-fact retaliations such as this ybw posting are already under way. Their VISA thing was merely the last straw with me. Their entire raison d'etre as a restaurant spells arrogance and that is my point. Any bad restaurant will continue to insult its partons until "market forces" stop them. Word-of-mouth publicity is such a market force. Now I know they are only a pissant little restaurant and I don't want to blow it out of proportion, but let me paraphrase Burke, ... "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

 

[BrendanS]

I agree. What they have done, if all your facts are correct, is not good practise, and deserves to be highlighted. If other restaurants use this practise, it might be highlighted by virtue of this post

 

[alanhanson]

hi assuming your boat is still in bilbao i have a couple of recccomendations for eating
the real club maritimo restaurant is good or was until last year
also in the town behind the old marina there is a superb little italian but it is hard to find and upstairs above a bar.
you always have to book
but superb food and service
regards alan ps if you sail along the coast to santona the yacht club there has 24 hour water taxi year round and again the food is top class

 

[StoicWarrior]

Alan - We are back in Blighty now but your restaurant tips are welcomed and I'm sure they will be appreciated by all readers ... I know the Santoña location you speak of; Santoña on the west side of the river and Laredo on the east ... the 24/7 water taxi is only for the Laredo side; the Santoña one stops about 2100 (a few bob to the Laredo guy shuold get the job done, though). Most yachties will grab a mooring on the Laredo side (only the yellow ones are for "visitors"); the Santoña side is filled with fishing boats & small craft. Two restaurants on the Laredo side of note: a decent caf right on the quay for tapas and regular meals and the Laredo Y.C. 100 metres on; the Club restaurant is seriously good food, seriously priced & seriously run - hushed service, super wine list and "proper" attire is required. e.g., no shorts or t-shirts allowed.

 

[Signed Out]

I'll remember this, but if you're interested, I know loads of great eating spots in the city- mostly Casco Viejo (the old town), and of those, many are on Calle Jardines.

Out of interest though, off topic a bit, I am planning to relocate down there and was planning on basing in the Old Marina- Las Arenas (?). Read about it in Declef Jens' book, but heard it's locked at night and the washroom facilities are crummy- is this so?