Eder Montero, chef from Bilbao is making his mark in New York. He has just opened his fourth restaurant, along with his wife and associate, Alex Raij, and in the spring they will publish a book on Basque cooking. In addition, he is now also teaching New Yorkers the traditional customs of Bilbao, like the tradition of necklaces for San Blas. Brought from Bilbao, the Txikito Restaurant passed the necklaces out to its clients yesterday, according to the tradition to protect them from the flu and colds.
New York, NY. The typical San Blas necklaces from Bilbao have arrived to New York, where this original “Basque flu shot" was introduced yesterday to its clients by the Txikito Restaurant.” The restaurant managed by local New York Chef Alex Raij, and Eder Montero from Bilbao, have been teaching New Yorkers about Basque delicacies as well as sharing some traditions and celebrations with them such as the Tamborrada and San Fermin.
This time, they have brought a deep-rooted tradition from Bilbao where these necklaces are known to protect their wearers against the flu and colds. Yesterday they were passed out to restaurant clients, along with a cup of soup, complete with an invitation to burn them at home, after wearing them for nine days, and then enjoy a zurito (small beer) or a wine on Txikito.
The necklaces included a reproduction of a image of San Blas (made in 1756 by Juan Pascual de Mena) that is present in the Church of San Nicolas in Bilbao and a brief explanation in four languages (Basque, Spanish, English and French) of the basics of this tradition.
-Txikito NY on Facebook, here
-Restaurant's webpage, http://www.txikitonyc.com
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