Bar Carrera is located in New York City.
Tapas can mean almost anything these days, but pintxos (tastings served in the Basque region of Spain) are a little more specific. Owner Frederick E. Twomey, who first took on European snacks at Bar Veloce, named his wine bar for a men’s culinary club in San Sebastian, then disguised the inside with a rippled glass front.

The long space holds a poured concrete bar fronted by dark wood-grained stools and backed by shelves of wine while an eating counter runs along one Moroccan-tiled wall. More space can be found around poured-concrete tables in the back room or a linked space next door, both later additions to the bar. A mix of Iberian and American pop lights the mood for local friends and dates. Surprising matches distinguish the menu of tiny bites: rich, slightly charred pork caramelized with juniper sugar, and creamy garrotxa cheese paired with guava-like membrillo paste. The regional Spanish reds, whites and sherries are equally tempting, among them strong tempranillos and strawberry sangria, fresh with mint and cardamom.

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