One year ago today, before flying to Madrid to see the Reds lift no.6, I had a day to kill in Bilbao, so I went to the 14th best restaurant in the world for my tea. This is what you see when you first walk into Azurmendi.

This was the first course, eaten in the reception area. That little white thing was asparagus cotton candy.

Next course they took you into the kitchen, where all the chefs look up and greet you in Basque. Bit of chat and then they injected a warm egg yolk with a truffle broth and watched me neck it. After that they shout bye and lead you out.

Next up, i’m in a greenhouse at the side of the restaurant for more little bites. Spot the appetiser!

There was a few of these.

After about half an hour of this, they take you through to the actual restaurant and sit you down. You can eat almost everything they put in front of you. This was a leaf made out of tomatoes.

Some highlights from the next 10 courses will now follow. This was cauliflower 5 ways. A chef from the kitchen came and carved it at my table.

This was made entirely from mushroom. Those yellow bits were, I think, inverted fried eggs.

This was the moment the maitre d came and told me which bit of the fish i was about to eat.

These three things were the best food I have ever shoved in my face.

There were three puddings.

Then petit fours.

I got the accompanying wine menu too. Highlights were a nip of sherry from the 50’s and a glass of partially fermented sake.

Finished it off with a martini. I was absolutely bladdered.

I was there on my own. Genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever done. In the evening I went back into Bilbao and took this photo. Sensational city.

Then I got more pissed in a goth pub before getting a kebab on the way home

The end.