 Chef Joe Miller of Joe's restaurant in Venice was so inspired by the tapas restaurants he had visited during trips to Spain that he decided to open his own back home. He even adheres to the Spanish tradition of discarding napkins and toothpicks on the floor. So here on Santa Monica Boulevard, a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean, you will find authentic and rustic tapas (stored in a refrigerated window) paired with wines and beers, all from Spain, in a very friendly and lively atmosphere. Bar Pintxo (PEEN-cho) is small, and does not take reservations, so be prepared to wait, especially on weekend nights. Whether you are sitting at the bar or at a table, you will not miss the constant action going on in the open kitchen under the direction of executive chef David Plonowski. Since Plonowski has arrived at Bar Pintxo, the level of the food has drastically improved. Start with manchego cheese topped with quince rolled in Marcona almond, mussels in escabèche, or crimini mushrooms filled with mushroom mousse, piquillo aïoli and Idiazabal cheese. The “jamón Ibérico pata negra” aged for 24 months is a delicacy (priced at $18), and the gazpacho is as good as it gets. Continue with the shrimp served with garlic and parsley sauce. Plonowski’s croquetas de pollo can compete with those of any Spanish chef. Crispy duck breast on a bed of lentils is another good option. There is, of course, paella, which alternates daily depending on the chef’s mood and discoveries at the market. Finish with flan, which changes flavor every month---the evening we went it was a delicious combination of lemon and rosemary. In case you are wondering what “Pintxo" means: it is the equivalent of Spanish tapas in the Basque culture.
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Bar Pintxo Restaurant is one of our 2012
| Top 10 LA Small Plates Restaurants
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Go behind the scenes of Bar Pintxo restaurant! Watch our exclusive interview with executive chef David Plonowski.
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