Pintxos: the pleasure principle
The maze of narrow streets of the Basque Old Town (Donostia, in the regional language) lined with pintxos bars define a food culture steeped in tradition: getting together for a bite over a procession of small plates, a little drink and a big chat, taken to the next level of conviviality.
And it’s that irresistible vibe of casual, flavour-first southern European food and wine pleasure that Rustico is aiming for with its first ever Pinxtos Party July 18.
A sense of joy built around a food culture that inspires - and draws - food and wine lovers from all over the world.
Rustico’s 2025 Pintxos Party aims to capture the energy, and earthy pleasure of great coastal Spanish food and drinking, but in our own special, super-relaxed South-Western style.
As head chef Mike McAllister puts it: “Sharing a meal and a story in many bites and flavours.”
Does Rustico aim to slavishly copy the unique bars of Basque Spain? Of course not. But will we be delivering that same unabashed pleasure of Iberian food, wine and conviviality?
Absolutely.
Rustico’s food always takes its cues from the traditions of southern Mediterranean cultures, but Spain is a constant reference for McAllister and his team at Rustico.
And it is the convivial, social nature of the pintxos bars in Spain that inspire McAllister's event menu. Small, flavoursome snacks to keep the conversation rolling, to fuel friendships, and sustain relationships with wines and beers from the region.
Typically, pintxos will be “spiked” or skewered with a toothpick but in modern Spain, and indeed at Rustico, pintxos are honoured in the spirit as much as they replicate Spanish bar tradition. Pintxos are a way of eating, drinking and sharing with friends, a way of life.
At Rustico we plan to put our own unique spin on the pintxos concept, with emphasis on the word “fun.”
“The idea is to have stations throughout the venue,” says restaurant manager John Barnes. “Guests will get tokens to redeem at their preferred station throughout the event. We’ll have a Basque-style oyster bar as well as a sangria bar out on the deck as you walk in. We’ll have a Seafood Station, suckling pig on a spit, a proper cheese station… food options galore. Everyone eats and drinks at their own pace.”
Our bar staff will be building Spanish-inspired cocktails and of course a DJ Mandy B will keep things moving with an Iberian beat.
For the curious, Rustico chefs will be on-station to both serve and discuss the food and produce.
According to McAllister, the Rustico interpretation of pintxos is “all about the people, the human aspect”: creating a social event around food and an opportunity for back-of-house staff to get out of the kitchen and interact with guests.
“We’re giving people a reason to come together to enjoy a different approach to what we do,” says McAllister.
What’s the chef excited about?
“Incredible” winter oysters with different Spanish garnishes; a whole spit-roasted pig supplied by The Farm House Meats, a family-owned local butchery and smokehouse producing artisan meats and smallgoods - including our own smoked chorizo - exclusively from Western Australia’s most conscientious farmers; our justifiably renowned croquetas de queso - pillowy cheese bliss bombs that will put guests in a Spanish frame of mind in an instant; and Basque-style char-grilled WA octopus that would make a Spanish fisherman weep.
Sangria, of course, made in several styles, is also a big part of the Rustico Pintxos Party.
“With the weather closing off so many of the outdoor features of the South West this time of year” says McAllister “it leaves good produce, great cooking and delicious wines to provide the focus and bring people together. All the same principles of not only pintxos, but also Spanish dining as an institution.
“Add to this a close relationship with a number of long-standing suppliers in the region, and it’s a real community and shared day.”
Gracias Mike. We can’t wait.
The Details
Friday 18 July, 2025
12-5pm
$110 pp + booking fee
Tickets: https://cabinfeverfest.com.au/events/pintxos-party/
