Pintxo. Tapas and Sherry Bar. Barton Street, Bath
We had originally sat down in The Garrick’s Head by the Theatre Royal Bath on Saturday lunch time but with no sign of service and curtain up fast approaching next door for the play God of Carnage we left thinking a packet of crisps and sandwich from Sainsbury’s would have to do. However a few doors up from the usually excellent Garrick’s Head was Pintxo. It’s a tapas and sherry restaurant come bar with branches in Cornwall and Bristol. We had no idea what it would be like and so went in and asked how long would it take to get served as the clock was ticking.
We were assured of quick service so took a corner table in an interior that feature wood and muted earthen colours. Having experienced the rip-off tourist tapas bars of Barcelona we were not unnaturally rather hesitant and so chose the offerings on the specials board. I had an Amontillado sherry served in a tumbler and Linda had an Elderflower presse. A jug of iced tap was placed on the table without having to ask and the food arrived within a few minutes. I have to confess to not making a note of the selection – but it featured skewered chicken, hot peppers, meatballs and a type of peperonata – and I’m sure mushrooms and melted cheese were in there somewhere – or at least that was the gist of it. The selection was fine. Hot, tasty and above all they came in quantities that made you think they were not scrimping. The sherry was nutty, warming, richly dark, agreeably dry and a generous 75cl in volume. And set me up for the play about couples falling out.
The place was about half full but had a healthy vibe with families and couples and I must report clean toilets – one of my concerns as they can say so much about how a place is run.
The dishes were around six or seven pounds a go so with sherry and drinks the bill came to £40. Expensive but as a one off pre-theatre meal I was happy with as so often eating out can be just so-so in quality. And you can often you think you could do much better yourself at home. But at Pintxo I thought as a wedding anniversary treat it was about right and unlike the couples in God of Carnage we didn’t fall out over the food or the bill.
Harry Mottram
Reviewed at the Saturday lunchtime, September 15th, 2018.
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Pintxo. Tapas and Sherry Bar. 31 Barton Street, Bath, Somerset. BA1 1HG
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