Pintxos
65A Mackelvie St Ponsonby (128c Ponsonby Road ),
Auckland
,
SAN SEBASTIAN, a small seaside city in
northern Spain’s Basque Country, is
currently the world’s most exciting
culinary destination, with more Michelin
stars per capita (currently 16) than
anywhere else. San Sebastian is also
famous for its outstanding pintxos –
pronounced “pinchos†– Basque-style
tapas. These small, savory canapés are
presented in a myriad of colors, forms and
flavor combinations, laid out on giant
platters and spread along every counter in
town. Twice a day, hundreds of people pour
into the streets for a traditional “pintxos
crawl,†moving from bar to bar: tasting,
drinking and socializing. In San Sebastian,
pintxos are more than delicious snacks,
they are ingrained in the city’s culinary
history, they are a way of life.
A Pintxo is a snack, typically eaten in bars,
traditional in northern Spain and especially popular
in the Basque Country . Pronounced “Pincho†the
word literally meaning “thorn†or “spike†They are
usually eaten in bars or taverns as a small snack while
hanging out with friends, thus they have a strong
socializing component, and in the Basque country
they are usually regarded as a cornerstone of local
culture and society.
Generally they are accompanied by a glass of young
white wine or a local beer.
Pintxos are related to tapas, the main difference
being that Pintxos are “spiked “ with a skewer or
toothpick to a piece of fresh white bread. Usually it is
a self service system for the food (paying on leaving)
and cash for drinks.
How it works
Simply grab a plate and help yourself to any of the
Pintxos available (the range continually changes so
keep an eye out for the chef delivering new plates!)
Find a table, order a beer or wine , either direct from
the bar or from a waiter. As you eat your Pintxos,
collect the “spikes†(toothpicks etc) in the glass
holder. Feel free to go back and have as many Pintxos
as your desire (and watch out for the plates of hot
Pintxos being served by the waiters)
When it is time to leave, simply take your “spikes†up
to the bar and pay accordingly
Should you be unable to enjoy our fresh bread ,
please help yourself to our gluten free crackers to
replace the bread
We hope you enjoy your experience at “PINTXOSâ€
Ponsonby.
Auckland’s first authentic Pintxos style tapas bar