Good Eats: Pix Bar, Covent Garden

On Saturday, John and I wanted to visit the Made.com showroom in Soho but ... it took us some time to get there.

One stop to Leyland for a hacksaw (don't. even. ask.), two test-drives on a Brompton bike at the Brompton showroom, and a supermarket sweep in Nisbets (glass carafe and six French-made wine glasses for under £10 - YES.) later, we made it to Made.

And promptly collapsed on a sofa.

... but not before dropping in to Pix-Bar in Covent Garden for some much-needed nourishment. Totally, completely by accident. But the best kind of accident! Both because we were hungry and also because it's awesome.

The premise is simple: select your own tapas. YES, really. Long skewers cost £2.95, short skewers are £1.95. At the end of your meal, place your skewers in the little jar provided and pay for what you've eaten. Like Yo! Sushi without the conveyor belts. And without the sushi.

But this isn't just any tapas: the flavor combinations were inventive and unique. Think seared tuna, caramelized onions or smoked duck breast topped with a quail egg. And because we were sitting right in front of the bar, we had plenty of opportunity to mull over the options and try what we wanted.

I'm a sucker for the classic standby of Spanish tortilla - it's filling and comforting, as omelettes always are! My eyes also turned into love-hearts at the sight of the seared tuna atop a caramelized onion bruschetta (I know I'm combining cultures here, have mercy!). John and I shared a double-skewered slider of chorizo and cheese (which I couldn't get enough of!) and I helped him polish off his beer. Those of you who know what a lightweight I am can probably now understand why our arrival to Made.com called for an all-out sprawl on one of the showroom couches. No shame there.

We finished off with a delicious churro dipped into a milky chocolate sauce and I sat back in satisfaction - so happy that we (ahem, John) found this little place. Lesson learned: sometimes, detours end in the best discoveries!

Pix Pintxos is perfect for a light bite with friends or after work drinks. Think about it: yummy tapas whilst enjoying your glass of wine, rather than the same, boring pub standard of lightly salted chips (that's crisps, for all you Brit folk!). It's small, but there are more tables in the back, and hopefully (fingers crossed), rising temps in London means we'll be able to dine al fresco soon.

Wishful thinking? Who, me?