ALTA pivots to pintxos offer

The ground floor of restaurant ALTA in Soho is changing its name to Bar ALTA, offering guests a more casual style of dining inspired by the pintxos culture of northern Spain.

With the change taking place from 23 June, the restaurant’s first-floor dining room will remain unchanged and continue to serve the original ALTA menu of dishes centered around a charcoal grill.

Head chef Robbie Jameson, formerly of HUMO, who joined ALTA in May following the departure of Rob Roy Cameron, has led the development of the new concept. 

The Bar ALTA menu will offer a more casual selection of dishes, including daily specials, with bites such as Grilled Flatbread with Green Romesco & Manchego, Spiced Cecina with Kampot Peppercorn Oil, and Padrón Peppers with Mint, Sour Cream & Pickled Chilli.

Larger plates such as A4 Wagyu with Marmite, Honey & Espelette Pepper and Corn-Fed Chicken with Fermented Chilli & Chicken Crumb are designed to be shared. 

"With Bar ALTA, we wanted to introduce another way to enjoy the restaurant," says Artem Login, founder of ALTA owner MAD Restaurants. "Something more relaxed and spontaneous, and to complement the ALTA people know and love, which will continue to be offered upstairs.

"Whether it's a couple of small bites and a vermouth on the terrace, or a table full of dishes shared with friends, Bar ALTA is designed to capture the energy and conviviality of the bars you'll find across the Basque Country. Summer is the ideal time to introduce this new offering to Soho and Kingly Court."

Reshuffle

To accommodate Bar ALTA’s dining style, the restaurant's ground floor is being transformed to include additional high-top and counter seating with increased views of the kitchen. The 20-seat terrace has also been refreshed, incorporating additional high tables and banquette seating. 

Drinks will be central to the Bar ALTA experience, with a cocktail list of savoury, food-led serves inspired by Spanish drinking culture.

Wine and craft cider will also remain key pillars of the offering, with the list shared across both Bar ALTA and the upstairs restaurant. 

Alongside Bar ALTA, Jameson will continue to oversee the menu served upstairs.

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