Pintxo (pronounced Pincho) Spanish Taperia in New Farm combines an old concept (thanks to our Japanese friends at Sushi Train) with a new style of Spanish cuisine. The net result is a cool new gastronomical experience that takes me back to balmy, boozy nights on La Rambla in Barcelona.
I had to consult Google to understand what a Pintxo was, as well as how to pronounce it – now that I’m worded up, I can pass on the good news! Pintxo is the name given to snacks (similar to tapas) typically eaten amongst friends in the bars of Basque area of Northern Spain. This food-to-share concept is the epitome of the Spanish social life via relaxed, progressive consumption of tasty morsels accompanied by relaxed, progressive consumption of alcohol – usually in the form of sangria. This is exactly the vibe that Pintxo in New Farm offers.
Pintxo has a sit down menu, a Tapas Train menu and a take-away service. If you’re a fan of the conveyor bet concept you’ll love the Tapas Train. It caters for about 30 patrons comfortably seated at a beautifully built wooden bar, overlooking the main restaurant area. The conveyor belt however doesn’t run through the kitchen, so the staff have to come out to the dining bar to replenish the Pintxo supplies. This is no show stopper – it’s just a little inconvenient and clumsy.
If you’re in the mood to settle in for a long progressive dinner over a few glasses of sangria, I’d recommend booking a table in the main dining area. It’s only small, so you’ll need to book in advance, or take a later seating if you leave it too late. The sit down menu is extensive, with an abundance of share plates to choose from, or a set banquet if you can’t make up your mind. I’m pretty fussy when it comes to this sort of dining – there’s always that doubt that there’ll be enough to fill your belly. My visit to Pintxo was lengthy, with several rounds of sangria – the great thing was that in the spirit of progressive dining we were able to order more share plates as we went. The stand-outs were the empanadas, scallops ceviche, classic croquettas and pintxos marunos.
The service, although a tad patchy at times, was pleasant and the Spanish staff give the place a very authentic feel. The venue is decked out in modern, vibrant décor and is a great size for creating a buzzing atmosphere over the frequent chink of sangria glasses. Salud!
- Pintxo Spanish Taperia, 561 Brunswick St, New Farm +61 7 3333 2231
Discussion
No comments for “HOT: Pintxo Spanish Taperia, 561 Brunswick St, New Farm”