Bar Code

The emphasis at this World City spot is on wine, with the culinary focus on the owners' Basque roots. This means pinchos - essentially tasty, tapas-type things - like jamon iberico and smoked salmon - on toast. The roasted piquillo peppers with sardines is a great flavor combo and a big portion for the price. The same goes for the beef tenderloin with blue cheese sauce. The garlic prawns don’t disappoint. They overdo it a bit with the balsamic vinegar on most dishes, though - such earthy fare doesn’t need sexing up. Bar Code is certainly a treat for serious vinophiles. The boss, a wine importer, has sourced an impressive list of Spanish rose, aperitif and sweet wines, as well as sections on Spanish "new wave" wines and "classic" Spain, with Rioja firmly in charge. But if wine – or drinking – isn’t your thing, there’s probably not quite enough on offer here to drag you away from the standby Spanish restaurants around Sanlitun.