Source: Melia
Meliá Hotels & Resorts

At its much-awaited annual awards held yesterday in Marbella, the prestigious Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2014 presented one of its highly sought-after stars to Aizian, the gastronomic restaurant at Meliá Bilbao.

The Michelin Guide is acknowledging an avant-garde Basque restaurant run by José Miguel Olazabalaga, head chef at Aizian since 2003. This is in recognition of the work of the Basque chef and his team as a whole, as well as the excellence of the restaurant's facilities and services.

Olazabalaga has extensive experience in the world of gastronomy and has honed his skills in such iconic restaurants as Goizeko Kabi, Zalacaín and Andra Mari, with stages at El Bulli. He has always aimed high, resulting in his being awarded the title of Spain's top young chef in 1998 and winning the Premio Pil-Pil for the most imaginative dish.

This serious, modern restaurant is a true exponent of the finest Basque cuisine. Aizian has been designated a "Kilometre Zero" restaurant, due to its use of Slow Food products which are not only organic but also locally produced. Good raw ingredients in a five-star hotel environment.

Traditional cuisine with a modern touch and a well-balanced menu offers tasting menus, every dish of which is a work of art and masterfully presented. The outstanding dishes of delicate squid ribbons with a veil of ink and pumpkin alioli, and the wonderful mussels in vermouth are both examples of the gastronomic quality displayed by José Miguel and his team. And as Olazabalaga is a true expert in cod, we must not forget his chunk of cod confit served with its own tripe and a pumpkin and butter sauce.

The Aizian Restaurant, opened in 2003, has a warm and stylish atmosphere, enhanced by its décor of strips of red cedar and sukupira wood, in the style of a cigar box, and the stunning views of the Doña Casilda Park.

About Melia Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world's leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global's Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a "Top Employer 2024" brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35. For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com