Provisions in Holloway Road opens San Sebastian pinxto bar

Provisions in Holloway Road launches Topa on Saturday 21st September, transforming the shop into a "relaxed and informal bar" on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Simon Shand (ex Head Chef at Leroy in Shoreditch) will be at the helm of the 22-cover eatery, serving up seasonal small plates - or pintxos.

Pinxto are Basque tapas often held in place on a piece of bread with a stick (Image: LAURA JALBERT)

These Basque tapas snacks are traditionally held in place by a toothpick on a piece of bread.

Inspired by numerous visits to the Basque town, Shand will be mixing things up with wild mushrooms and raw egg yolk; Crushed coco de Paimpol beans with tomatoes and garlic, chorizo cooked in cider, hake with orzo, saffron, and courgettes, slow cooked crab, leek, and cognac Txangurro tarts, and the famous gildas; olives, anchovy fillet, and pickled guindilla peppers skewered on a stick.

"The food is going to be reflective of the region," he said. "It will be fun, focused on high quality, seasonal ingredients.

"We want to bring the spirit of a San Sebastian pintxos bar to Islington."

The neighbourhood store hopes friends will get together over txakoli (dry slightly sparkling white wine), surrounded by artisanal produce, and an atmosphere reminiscent of al-fresco evenings in the cobbled streets of the Basque seaside town.

Diners will also be able to choose from a cheese platter from Provisions’ artisan producers, and a fig, almond, & brown butter sponge.

Provisions was founded in 2015 by Hugo Meyer Esquerré, who said: "Our store has always been a strong importer and distributor of Basque products from amazing small producers, and we have done many Basque related pop ups in the past, so it made absolute sense to work with Simon to create a dining concept dedicated to the region.

"Apart from the menu, the spirit of San Sebastian is going to be really important to the whole experience, Topa, which means cheers in Basque, will be about the informal way of eating, where you feel part of something communal, socialising with friends and enjoying the atmosphere around you, that’s what we want to create.

"Food here is about simplicity, with the use of only a few, but great seasonal ingredients. The wine list will be quite deep and will include a lot of wines I have been collecting over the years, we will also be serving wine by the carafe. We want people to have fun and enjoy something authentic and true to the region."

Diners will be able to pair Simon’s dishes with a glass from Basque producers including Bodegas Amezatoi, Zudugarai, and Alfredo Egia.

Provisions is at 167 Holloway Road, N7.