The road along White Plains is dramatically transformed, soon emerging as an exciting new dining hotspot. And one of the reasons for this excitement has to be the opening of the newest branch by Bar Pintxos, long known and acknowledged for its authentic take on Spanish pintxos...
The heart and soul of traditional Basque culture and cuisine, the tasty bite-sized pintxos with the distinctive "spike" or skewer on a piece of bread offers more than just savory nibbles. For many, it's the cornerstone of the rich social fabric that binds our links and connections with friends and family. It's this tradition that Bar Pintxos celebrates with each of their exquisite pintxos creations, and now you can experience the wide range of tasty small plates from one of the best tapas bars in the metro up north along White Plains in Quezon City at Bar Pintxos. Read on for a tasty peek...
The rapid development along White Plains presents a new and exciting chapter for the neighborhood. Now lined with rows of new restaurants alongside its enduring landscaping and gardening establishments, all roads lead to the famed street for your next culinary adventure. And your first stop should be a memorable one, with an array of new and exciting signature small plates from the Especiales Menu of Bar Pintxos.
The elegant two-level space is anchored by an impressive bar with its vibrant splash of color complemented by an intricate black and white mosaic of tiles warmed by earthy wood tones. The newest location of Bar Pintxos brings its game-wining vibe along with a repertoire of traditional flavors up north, adding to the growing number of dining options in Quezon City. But for Spanish tapas or Basque style pintxos, one name clearly stands out and that's Bar Pintxos. Known primarily for their Spanish cuisine bannered by a lavish selection of tapas or pintxos (but a true Basque will tell you pintxos and tapas are worlds apart), Bar Pintxos remains one of the pioneers of the elegant culinary tradition (for more on Bar Pintxos, see my earlier posts Rise and Shine with the New Desayuno Breakfast Menu at Bar Pintxos Tapas y Mas on their breakfast offerings from two years ago and Tasty Bites and Soothing Sips at Bar Pintxos Tapas y Mas, Now Open at 8 Rockwell from 2022).
But first, some libation. And there's no better way to get started than with a classic Spanish beer fresh from the tap...
The uniquely Spanish beer is proudly marketed as the only brand in the world using the Catalan language in its labels. Founded by an Alsatian immigrant in 1856, Louis Moritz Trautmann's name would become synonymous with Barcelona's long list of enduring and beloved brands. And the Moritz Pale Pilsner is the perfect start to your afternoon tapas at Bar Pintxos with its bright golden hues. Each sip brings a burst of citric notes from the hops and just a whisper of subtle sweetness from the malt with mild bitter hints in an elegantly smooth finish. The refreshingly crisp and clean flavors cleanses the palate, opening it up for a memorable feast of small plates at Bar Pintxos.
If you prefer wine, Bar Pintxos also offers an extensive selection of Spanish labels like this classic chilled Rioja from the Bordon Estate. The crisp acidity and mildly sweet fruity notes combine to tease the palate while slowly easing you into the Bar Pintxos groove.
For starters, nibble on a delectable play of contrasting textures and flavors with the Truffle Oyster Mushroom (P 450) with its delicate earthy and nutty flavors kicked up by the sharpness of Parmesan and elegantly smoothened by the creamy aioli dip. The deceptively simple dish offers fresh and bold notes with a lightly crisp finish for the perfect start to your tapas experience at Bar Pintxos.
Next, the Higado de Bacalao Ahumado (P 680) or smoked codfish in olive oil is presented paired with crusty bread. Served from a tin can, the buttery smooth and lusciously soft bacalao caresses the palate with its indulgent and lingering richness.
The concentrated notes of the olive oil adds even more layers of flavor absorbed by the bread and released in a vibrant burst with each bite. It's rich flavors like this that keeps Bar Pintxos top-of-mind when it comes to small plates and tasty nibbles in that timeless Spanish tradition. And this is just the opening act in an epic medley of savory bites at Bar Pintxos. It's a good idea to order up another round of Moritz Pale Pilsner from the tap or another glass of Bordon Rioja.
In a continuous procession of lavish flavors, the next round of small plates raises your afternoon tapas experience up a notch in true Bar Pintxos style with a selection from their new signature Especiales Menu...
The Morcilla Y Queso de Cabra (P 380) with plump blood sausages, goat cheese and piquillo pepper on bread is a savory number with multiple layers of flavor from the stacked components of the dish. The creamy goat cheese tempers the savory richness of the sausage while the piquillo pepper adds a subtle smoky sweetness for complex yet balanced play on flavors. Spiked with a skewer in true pintxos style, the Morcilla Y Queso de Cabra is just the first of many more small plates from the Especiales Menu of Bar Pintxos.
The Trio (P 150) with Butifara, Chorizo Picante and Chistorra on a single skewer presents the Spanish trifecta of traditional sausages in one dish. The nuanced variation in savory flavors is best washed down with the clean crispness of the Moritz Pale Pilsner or another glass of Bordon Rioja.
The Moruno (P 350) or grilled skewered lamb with thin and crisp fries reflects the various influences from neighboring cultures in the colorful tapestry of Spanish cuisine. The fork-tender lamb releases a bold burst of savory richness with each bite, perfectly followed by the light crunch from the fries.
And there's more. This is Bar Pintxos after all, and the small plates just keep coming...
The Jamon a la Frances (P 270) draws inspiration from French flavors with jamon, creamy burrata, parsley oil and honey on a flaky croissant. Each unique and distinct flavor complements the other with the pronounced salty hints of the jamon softened by the smooth burrata, parsley oil and honey perfectly finished by the buttery croissant.
The elegant weave of flavors makes this dish a comforting hit with its sweet, salty and nutty hints in one buttery soft bite.
But it's the Chipirones (P 195) that's high up on my list of personal picks at Bar Pintxos with tender squid stuffed with crab meat aioli and drizzled with olive oil and parsley oil. Masterfully executed, the Chipirones is a next-level small plate experience at Bar Pintxos with its elegant presentation.
The fresh briny sweetness of the squid comes through followed by the indulgent richness of the crab meat aioli for a lavish blend of flavors while the nutty hints of olive oil and parsley oil complete the dish.
The Anchoa y Queso (P 120) is an intricate and playfully inventive pintxos with lightly crisp panipuri filled with cream cheese and topped with anchovy for yet another flavorful surprise from the kitchen of Bar Pintxos. The sharpness of the anchovy is balanced by the cream cheese with that delectable crunch from the panipuri for the perfect finishing touch.
The Taco Iberico (P 380) with tender premium slabs of Iberico drizzled with fresh cilantro salsa on soft tortilla offers hearty bites capped by the nutty and mildly sweet savory richness of the prized Spanish pork. The cilantro salsa complements the premium Spanish pork with its fresh and clean notes.
The Gambas Crujientes (P 400) with succulent fried shrimp coated in squid ink batter paired with smoked aioli brings another festive play on flavors to the palate with the fresh and clean sweetness of the succulent shrimps given a flavorful depth by the crisp squid ink batter. The creamy smoked aioli ties everything together seamlessly painting the palate with its colorful blend of rich flavors.
The Txampes (P 180) with rings of soft bell button mushroom on bread is a comforting option with simple yet hearty flavors. The deep nutty and earthy hints of the mushrooms are kicked up by the savory sharpness of jamon serrano for a solid combo. Each flavorful element in the dish is highlighted for a complete flavor experience.
End your epic feast with the Burguesa (P 580), a slider brioche with a thick and juicy Prime Ribeye patty paired with thin and crisp fries. That juicy mouthfeel after each bite, that's how you end your feast of small plates with a big bang at Bar Pintxos.
The impressive development along White Plains has transformed the neighborhood into one of Quezon City's newest dining destinations. And better yet, Bar Pintxos finally heads up north with its array of exquisite pintxos.
Small plates, big flavors. Enjoy the exciting new pintxos offerings with a round of Moritz Pale Pilsner or a glass of Bordon Rioja at Bar Pintxos, now open along White Plains with its savory repertoire of Spanish tapas, pintxos and more. An afternoon tipple with tasty bites? Si, por favor.
Bar Pintxos is located along White Plains Avenue corner Katipunan next to Caltex, Quezon City. You can visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/Barpintxos and https://www.instagram.com/barpintxos/ for more information and updates or call +63 956 710 9430 for inquiries and reservations.
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