Eat and eat... and eat at the next Local Bites

This month for Local Bites, we are starting the new year off family style at Santa Fe Basque Restaurant. Although the restaurant has a little bit of everything on their menu (not just Basque food), we're challenging Basque food newbies to take the gluttonous plunge and sit with strangers at a large banquet table while being served dish after dish, after dish! Basque restaurants started out as hotels, and because it was easier to feed large groups of people one course at a time, that's how they continue to do it.

On Wednesday, January 11 at 6:00 p.m., Mayor Swearengin will be dining Basque-style, sitting with anyone who pulls up a chair. The TasteFresno team will be there too, of course! The first seating is at 6:00 p.m. and the second seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

Here's what's on the eating agenda for that night:

Traditional Basque Option ($27):

And, if you like strong not-too-fruity but just sweet enough drinks, you may want to try their signature drink, the "Pecon Punch": Grenadine, Torani Amer liquor, soda, a brandy float with a lemon twist. I've already gone back twice for this drink. It's less than $5.

Call for reservations at 226-7499 for the 6:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. seating! If you're just eating off the normal menu, the other side of the banquet room will be your best bet.

Who knows, with that house wine or maybe a Picon Punch, that stranger you sit by could turn into your new best friend!