Pintura Restaurant, Leeds

When I saw the menu for the Leeds restaurant Pintura the Basque kitchen and bar I was a little perplexed as there didn't look like there would be much on the menu that I would like.

Being a Basque restaurant the emphasis as you might imagine is based on Spanish tapas. The head chef Greg Lewis has included on the menu his own take on some of his favourite Basque and Spanish dishes, using some of the finest imported Spanish produce for a British twist on traditional Basque recipes.

The restaurant is on four floors with the bar on the lower ground floor. I found the lighting to be too dark for me but my friend who appreciates Spanish food more than I do thought the ambience to be just right.

They have a specials board each day with dishes such as Pan Fried Calamares with Chorizo and patatas for £6.95 on the Monday evening when we visited. We tried the mini Hamburgersa for £2.50 which were served in a brioche bun. The burger wasn't cooked enough that my liking but my friend likes his meat cooked rare so he found it perfect for him.

The Table de Casa, an assortment of meats and cheeses was comprehensive and I was impressed how our server easily reeled off the names of the assortment. Perfect for sharing, for me it was one of the best parts of the meal.

For mains the menu is split into Fish (Pescado) and Meat (Carne). They recommend that each guest tries 3 or 4 of these small plates. My friend went for the Calamares Fritas, £6.95 apparently they are hard to cook and to serve just right, if cooked too long they can be too chewy but he found his serving to be cooked to perfection.

His Pato Ahumado (Smoked Duck) was said to be excellent too.

I went for the more traditional Filete de Onglet (Grilled Butcher's steak). Our server did not ask how I would like it cooking so when it arrived on the table cooked rare I had to send it back to be cooked the way I like it, well done. It soon returned and all was good.

The Patatas Bravas I ordered as a side were plentiful and very spicy with the tomato sauce.

The Postres (dessert) of Tarta de Queso, Baked Basque Cheesecake with raspberries was a little too sour tasting for me but my friend thought it was good quality and very moreish. The extra ice cream I had of Cinamon and also Popcorn flavour made it for me, a much needed sweeter flavour.

There is a very extensive gin list which goes over 5 pages on the drinks menu which also includes a good selection of beers and cocktails.

It is certainly different to anything else in Leeds. The service was good, the food if you like Basque food, to be of a high standard with everything being cooked to order so it is warm when it arrives on your table.

For me it was an acquired taste but my friend who likes Basque food thought it was worth recommending.

Pintura, The Trinity, Leeds LS1 6AP
Telephone 0113 4300 915
www.pinturakitchen.co.uk