Review on Sagardi Basque Country Chefs
Sagardi Basque Country Chefs is the first UK outpost of a popular chain of restaurants founded by chef Iñaki Viñaspre in 1996, specialising in Basque gastronomony it has branches throughout Spain and Latin America. Located in the iconic Cordy House, the restaurant is just a short walk from Shoreditch High Street and Old Street underground.
It has been kitted out in the style of the Basque cider houses and has an industrial-esque vibe with wooden tables on bare concrete flooring. There's a white-tiled butcher's shop where you can purchase meat, as well as a pintxos bar serving snacks, Basque cider, beer, wines and cocktails. Diners sit in the restaurant on leather banquette seating under a traditional fishing boat called a trainera suspended from the ceiling, and a huge charcoal grill takes centre stage.
The very best Basque produce is flown in daily from farms and the coast including Txuleton, piquillo peppers and lettuce hearts from Tudela. Fish is sourced from Cornwall and other Southern UK fish markets, while vegetables are ecologically farmed in their own gardens. For openers there's Iberian ham croquettes or Red tuna tartare with green Ibarra chilli peppers. Next up carnivores are in for a treat with a succulent "Txuleton vaca" matured beef or fish fans might opt for the pan-fried codfish prepared in the style of the renowned Zapiain cider house. Desserts stay close to home with a Basque bread and butter pudding paired with sheep's milk ice cream or goxua sponge cake.
Cuisine
Basque / Tapas
Chef
Iñaki López de Viñaspre
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 11.00am through until
Dinner: 11.30pm
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card