Basque Cultural Center Restaurant
The Basque community has a rich cultural heritage with a love of dance, music, food, pilota, and more.
The Basque Cultural Center Restaurant in South San Francisco operates under the leadership of Aimee Goyhenetche-Rocha.
The cuisine has an upscale appeal while welcoming in the casual diner. With three banquet rooms, a spacious dining room, and an outdoor covered solarium, the Basque Cultural Center hosts many dinners, banquets and parties daily.
Please visit the restaurant website for more information.
Aimee Goyhenetche-Rocha
Director of Operations
Lionel Balbastre
Executive Chef
Originally from Toulouse, France, Chef Lionel’s love for cooking started early, inspired by weekends spent making desserts with his mother. He began working in kitchens at just 14 years old and has now spent over three decades building his craft.
Before joining Zazpi and the Basque Cultural Center, Chef Lionel spent 13 years at the French Club in San Francisco, where he continued developing his love for French and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
His cooking style is rooted in fresh ingredients, seafood, duck, cassoulet, and the flavors of Southern France. What drew him to Basque cuisine was its bold use of garlic, peppers, seafood, and lamb, ingredients that naturally connect with the Mediterranean flavors he grew up with.
At Zazpi, Chef Lionel is especially excited for guests to try dishes like branzino sea bass, more seafood specials, and soon, clams with chorizo. On his day off, his comfort food of choice is seafood paella, a dish he enjoys making for himself.
For Chef Lionel, the goal is simple: great food, a warm atmosphere, and guests who feel comfortable, welcomed, and able to enjoy a good time.