November 27, 2007

Basque and Ye Shall Receive

Txori Opens

Your stomach speaks fluent Spanish (un bocadillo, por favor), French (Je préfère pain au chocolat), and Pig Latin (ix-nay on the usts-cray, other-may).

Indulge its polyglossia at Txori (pronounced chor-ee), the just-opened sophomore effort from Joseba Jiménez de Jiménez and Carolin Messier de Jiménez (Harvest Vine).

A livelier, more casual version of the couple’s simple-but-sublime Basque-style institution, the teeny Belltown spot models itself after traditional San Sebastian Pinxtos bars. The sleek no-stool bar lends itself to European cafe-style mingling, and excellent bite-size plates (chorizo with shaved chocolate, calamari in squid ink sauce) mean standoffish Seattleites need not share.

Our prediction: The soon-to-be-completed patio will be spring’s hot ticket for glasses of cava or anchovy-stuffed olive martinis that are deliciously dirty.

That’s muy sucia to you.

Txori, 2207 Second Avenue, between Bell and Blanchard (206-204-9771 or txoribar.com).