Restaurant Review Bar Pintxos: A Mediterranean mini-break from the mundane

Bar Pintxos sits central in Preston Market Place as an ideal location for a pre-nightout meal or lively drinks – even on the weekdays.

A Thursday night treat, Bar Pintxos invited us to try out their Galician Speciality Evening. Spoilt with five luxury, tapas-like dishes partnered with equally lush wines, this night couldn’t be described as anything other than the most special date setting.

Brightly lit with a modern exterior, the venue already looks a great addition to Preston city centre’s thriving hospitality spots. But to stand out in our special town you have to do something quite unique, and let’s just say I have no qualms about this locale doing just that.

My partner and I, both greeted on arrival at Bar Pintxos, felt equally comfortable and excited to try something new. From the first step into the cozy spot, I noticed how soon you felt you had left the streets of Preston behind and stepped into new territory, Spanish territory.

Bar Pintxos tickled each of our senses throughout the stay, from the unique musical genre playing softly in the background of conversation to the look of the restaurant which met your gaze with timeless foreign details, we felt utterly swept into sundown Spain.

The first course was Empanadllas Gallega: hard to pronounce, easy to eat.

At first glance, these two pastry pieces seem small, but I can assure you they proved wholly satisfying. The pastry simply crumbled in your mouth and the seasoning salt almost went unrecognised until tingling your tastebuds leaving you parched for a sip of the beverage partnered: Nuivana Cabernet. A deep red coloured wine with a tangy, bold taste, perfect to wash down the salt and warm the stomach.

After Course One set the standard, we were more than ready to journey along to the next dish served after a short 10-minute break to relish in the delicacies we’d just devoured.

Course Two: Bunuelo de Ostras. A seafood dish of grilled oyster on a bed of salt enhanced by the sweetness of shredded apricot. The first thing to strike me was the scent of the sea, preparing for the freshness of this dish and a multiple sense experience. My partner after this dish and trying oysters for the first time is officially a ‘convert’. The coupled wine was a Chardonnay, which provided citrus and tropical notes in perfect balance.

Dish Three was another seafood selection of three contrasting textures. Creamy potato, surrounded by neatly placed octopus and topped with a crispy, delicate paprika tuile. Delicious. Alongside my favourite paired wine, a fresh-tasting, crisp white.

Plate Four was the one we had been most excited for, and it definitely met our expectations, I don’t think I’ve tasted steak so tender, every bite was recognised with this dish. Cooked to perfection alongside the cheek which melted in your mouth, you built up a taste for the red wine from the Rioja jus bordering.

Finally the last dish number Five, cake with clotted cream and Cream Sherry to accompany. The Sherry held too much of a strong taste for me to sip neat, but poured lightly across my sponge it complimented perfectly.

Five Stars for Bar Pintxos.