Bar Pintxos — Restaurant in Preston

The worse microwave meal tapas I've ever had! Came here a couple of years ago which was excellent, what a shame its not the same since the new owners took over. Young kids serving which isn't an issue until you explain the food is tepid and rubbery, but i suppose some kids are used to food like that nowadays, the food was awful, wrinkled and tepid warm at best. Dispite the owners review comments we actually sent a third of the cooked tapas back of 4 dishes being a patatas bravas, 2 prawn dishes and meatballs, we wasn't even offered a fresh replacement for 2 of them which speaks volumes, the 2 prawns came back hotter but seemed freshly microwaved and very rubbery sat in luke warm oil ... not sizzling like they should be when pan fried. My other diners were too hungry and too embarrassed to add more complaints so they just ate the rest of theirs which the staff took as a sign that the meal was okay. I see the owner has left a follow up review but they wasn't even there to see the issues, yes we may have ordered 20 dishes but you can't really spoil 2 dishes of olives, 1 dish of pickles, 4 dishes of bread, and 4 cold deserts, so that explains to the owners why some dishes wasn't returned. Yes we left a tip for the waitress as she was so courteous, and yes we ordered a desserts because we were so hungry after leaving most of what we were served. What concerns me most is the owner has left a follow up response defending the poor food when they wasnt even there to take on board to see the issues rather than being apologetic, in response to the owner I refer to 2 years ago when the previous owner ran this restaurant, so those who are choosing this restaurant based on previous reviews do so at your own peril. I've never left a bad review before but felt on this occasion it...

Incredible flavours, food, service and atmosphere. The restaurant has an authentic Spanish feel, Jamon hanging from the ceiling, exposed brickwork, and one of the best playlists I've heard in a restaurant for a while (familiar songs with a Spanish/Flamenco twist).

Service was fast, attentive and friendly, one small error with the drinks order but that was rectified immediately without hesitation.

The staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and came across as incredibly passionate, which is refreshing and encouraging.

We started with a selection of pintxos, which can certainly be shared between 2, making it very easy to try several dishes... We ordered the Prawn and Anchovy, Jamon and Manchego, pork belly and ox cheek Empanadilla to start.

All were perfectly prepared, providing big, bold flavours that quite literally took me back to my time in Spain! (Like the Ratatouille bloke!)

After a bit of a rest we decided to try the patatas bravas, chorizo croqueta and some more pintxos... We actually ordered the Prawn and Anchovy, Empanadillas and the Pork Belly again, they were that exceptional!!

We also decided to try the octopus, which was mind blowingly good.

We finished with churros AND cheesecake (with sherry) both of which were just exquisite and finished the meal perfectly.

We finished our drinks whilst talking with the Head Chef/Owner who made us feel incredibly welcomed and like we had been a hundred times before.

Pintxos is easily the best Spanish food I've eaten outside of Spain. We will definitely be back, the sooner the better.

Would taken more photos but we were a bit distracted by the...

The place is very quaint, friendly and suprisingly not busy for late lunch on a Friday. My server was Milly, she was extremely polite.. going as far as saying my pronunciation of the dishes was perfect... Even though we both know it wasn't.

Now down to the food and drink.... As follows 1, jamon and manchego £3.00 it was lovely, as expected the salty tastes from the jamon and cheese sat well with the el ninot de paper tinto wine... Just yum. 2, calamares... Superb the light batter with saffron alioli sat wonderful with a nice Victoria Málaga larger. Sweet and salty calamari with a lightly hoppy beer... Epic. 3, garlic mushrooms... Well they speak for themselves. Will go with any any pairing..... The suprise of all surprises is 4, Gambas Pil Pil... The prawns in a light white wine and moderately spicy sauce, it blew my mind in depth... In hind sight I should of paired it with a lighter wine than the one above. That said nothing can take away from the beauty of this dish. It's turned up to 11.

Staff.. I mentioned Milly, she was attentive and very respectfully. A great front and face to a wonderful place. Cat chef patron, I had a lovely conversation with her. She clearly understands the culture and flavours of the food she is preparing. We exchanged with how perceptions of food vary by culture... Very insightful.

This is a must go...