Wine & Dine – August 2019

019

http://www.wnd.sg

Under new management by the 1-Group, the Alkaff
Mansion has been given a new lease of life inspired
by the Basque region. Leading its reincarnation is
TXA Pintxo Bar, serving Basque small bites known as
pintxos (pinchos). While San Sebastián has its share of
Michelin-starred restaurants, it is also the city known
for popularising pintxo culture, where one would bar
hop to savour small bites laid out on the counter or
prepared on the spot. The bites used to be simple, tasty
pintxos or skewers of food pinned to a base of bread,
but nowadays take on many creative forms.
A Basque journey at TXA Pintxo Bar, charted by
Basque chefs Marta Elvira Segalés and Silvana Pascual
Romero, begins with a glass of light, crisp txakoli or
sparkling white wine. The bartender gallantly pours
it from a tall height, teh tarik style, we think. This
is in keeping with the tradition of making the wine
even more bubbly. On to the pintxos, starting with
crujiente de jamon ($5), an Iberico cracker sandwiched
with smoked cod roe sauce where each strip of
cracker melds crisp and creamy in one addictive
bite. The boquerones con piperrada ($3.90) is just
as bold-flavoured. A piquillo cream cuts through the
savouriness of the marinated white anchovies, while
pipperada, a common Basque condiment of red and

TXA Pintxo Bar, The Alkaff Mansion
green peppers and onions, adds to the freshness of
the dish.
Then there is the txangurro a la Donostiarra ($14),
or Basque-style stuffed crab. In the Basque Country,
spider crab would have been hauled off the seas right
there. Here, fresh flower crab is used instead. Chilled
crab meat is added to a sofrito base, flour and seafood
stock in a crab shell, then topped with breadcrumbs
and butter before being grilled. The result is spoonful
after spoonful of crustacean goodness. Balance the
savoury flavours with a bite of the crema de roquefort
con manzana y nueces ($4.90) comprising Roquefort
cream, homemade apple jam made with a dash of Pedro
Ximenez sherry, and walnuts served on toast. Or go
for the tarta de Queso “La Viña” ($4.90), inspired by
the burnt cheesecake sensation from La Viña in San
Sebastián.
These go well with the bar’s wide range of Spanish
beers, wines and ciders, and signature cocktails such
as Tinto de Pintxos, comprising red wine, pisco and
sweet vermouth ($18); as well as The Mansion ($18),
made with brandy, Grand Marnier, cherry liquer and
angostura bitters. –CC
The Alkaff Mansion, 10 Telok Blangah Green.
Tel: 6773 0070