Pinchoa

Pinchoa
18 Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur
T: 03 2145 8482

If Salvador Dali had a spot to unwind….
Pinchoa is a quaint spot with a laidback ambience and a great tapas menu that will keep you firmly in seat despite the lure of neighbouring places. Admittedly it ain’t the only tapas restaurant and bar on the Changkat Bukit Bintang strip, but the easy going atmosphere, lack of a dress code and easy to swallow price means you’re less likely to stray elsewhere. (And no, we’re not tight, times are bad!)

Great for light eaters, ideal for gastronomic explorers and perfect if you’re a talker, the small portions and ample choice encourages tête-à-tête, so folks with more mouth than stomach will find this place right up their alley. A good choice for a 1st date for this reason, the bar comes as a bonus. If your date isn’t taken by your art of conversation (or lack thereof), you can always go get her/him some shots to make the night go down easy.

Clientele: It takes all sorts from the expat community that have made the neighbouring area their home to locals with a penchant for Spanish cuisine and cocktails.

Drinks: Pinchoa’s signature is their sangria, a Spanish wine punch with cut fruits and rum. Their Calimocho cocktail, a mix of Spanish red wine with coke, also tops our list and should get the juices running like the Bulls of Pamplona.

Eats: Non-halal but with 24 variety of tapas dishes including 2 sets and a platter made for 2. Coming highly recommended are the  Pan Turnaco Con Jamon (Spanish Serrano ham and tomato spread on toast), Chorizo Con Setas (Spanish stew with Chorizo sausages, mushroom and potatoes), Pinchos De Datiles Con bacon (dates and almond wrapped with pan-fried bacon) and Coca De Recapte (Catalan pizza with roasted eggplant, capsicum with anchovies).

Music policy: Sexy Latin flavoured music.

Open: 5pm-2am weekdays; 5pm-3am weekends; closed on Mondays.

Door Policy: None. But tapas dishes range from RM9 to RM55 for the tapas set and is worth your every dinero.

Happy hour: Cheap beer from 5pm-9pm.

Dress code: Here’s a place where they won’t chase you out with a broomstick if you rock up looking like a backpacker, so wear what you like and nevermind the preppies who stare.

Parking: There’s valet service along the street and car parks nearby, but if you’re early, then you can park your wheels in the designated parking spots before the “self appointed parking attendants” swing by and claim their stake.

Images Kevin Yeoh