I adore Spanish food – when done well it’s like eating sunshine on a plate.
I have missed not seeing a Spanish eatery in Southport, a town which has great choices for top class French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and other cuisines from around the world.
So I was excited last month when the new Pincho’s tapas street food outlet opened inside Southport Market.
I ventured inside with my wife and daughters to give it a try on a Sunday, after enjoying the bustling Southport Makers Market, and while looking forward to the brilliant Southport Charity Christmas Parade.
My favourite memories of Spanish food were from way back in the 1980s, of being a child walking down a beach with my family to enjoy freshly caught, simply cooked and delicious seafood from a chiringuito.
I wondered what the new Pincho’s in Southport would be like? I have eaten in Spanish restaurants in England before where the menus were restrained and predictable; bland patatas bravas, plain fried chorizo etc.
I was really impressed when I saw the menu at Pincho’s. There is a great choice, with a huge amount of imagination, creativity and thought having gone into the items on offer.
All dishes are gluten free, which will be very welcome with so many diners. Increasing numbers of people in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group have been asking for recommendations of gluten free food outlets locally.
Dishes are priced between £5 and £8 and reasonably sized, perfect for a setting like Southport Market where people can enjoy relaxed dining and sharing.
It was great to go somewhere where I could enjoy top quality Spanish street food tapas while my daughters and wife were devouring delicious pizza from 600 Degrees and tasty flavoured chips from Pitamu. Everyone was happy!
The menu at Pincho’s is split into three sections; Veg, Meat and Fish. Equal weighting has been given to each, another tick with greater numbers of diners looking for good quality vegetarian dishes instead of the ‘veggie option’ being the afterthought.
Choosing what to eat was a very difficult choice! It is a good reason to go back and try more next time.
Veg options include: Patatas Bravas; Stuffed Red Peppers; Sauteed Lentils with Mushrooms; Catalan Chickpea Salad; and Padron Peppers.
Meat options include: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce; Chorizo in Red Wine and Honey; Spicy Pork with Watercress, Chickpea and Orange Salad; and Slow Braised Pork Cheeks in Red Wine.
Fish dishes include: Battered Squid with Aioli; King Prawns in Garlic and Chilli Oil; Seabass with Saffron New Potatoes; and Classic Seafood Paella.
How do you decide from such a brilliant menu?
I was very lucky to be served at all when I went. The Market was heaving when we visited and Pincho’s was besieged with diners; word about Pincho’s had clearly spread and they were fast running out of ingredients.
I chose one dish from each section. From Veg I went for Stuffed Red Peppers; from Meat I enjoyed Pork Cheeks; and from Fish I selected King Prawns.
The flavours were exceptional. I have never eaten pork cheeks before, but the taste was superb, while the texture was soft and pillowy, really melt in the mouth. It was complimented perfectly by pickled carrots. Very impressive.
Peppers are one of my favourite foods, and these were excellent.
The king prawns were memorable too, big juicy prawns packed with the explosive flavours of chilli and garlic, with salad on the side and a big chunk of focaccia style bread which was must needed to mop up those wonderful juices. Just superb.
It was a great taste of Spain and its famous tapas, the perfect food to enjoy with family or friends inside Southport Market, which is looking good following its £1.4million transformation earlier this year.
In Southport you really can eat around the world, with cuisines from everywhere, but sadly lacking a quality Spanish offering – until now.
Pincho’s is an excellent and very welcome new addition.
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