 The Tapas trend is here to stay.
From humble beginnings this simple, “no frills”, culinary concept has truly caught on in sophisticated bars and Spanish-style eateries, around the globe; and London’s lively bar and dining scene is no exception.
The tapas bar has its origins in the Andalusian rural regions of Spain, where farm labourers would round off a hard day’s work with a drink and a snack at their local bar. Here they would enjoy a glass of wine, beer or sherry, cunningly covered with a piece of bread or a slice of cured ham to keep the flies at bay. In fact, the word, tapas, derives from the Spanish verb “tapar” meaning to cover. Interestingly, wine glasses with covers designed to protect the content from fruit flies are still widely used in the wine growing regions of Andalusia.
Today, the word tapas has taken on a whole new meaning. The notion of tempting small bowls of appetisers to encourage customers to order an extra round of drinks has evolved into a gourmet experience and more of a meal in its own right. In Spain, and other Mediterranean countries, however, tapas are still generally consumed as appetisers and tempting savoury nibbles designed to whet (or take the edge off) one’s appetite. Also, it is not uncommon for friends to trawl the tapas bars in order to sample the different specialities of each establishment – something similar to a British “pub crawl”, but without the dubious connotations!
So, what’s on the menu, at London’s favourite tapas bars? There’s plenty to please carnivores and vegetarians alike, with several menus featuring organic, local, seasonal produce. The emphasis, throughout, is on quality and excellent value for money.
As well as a huge variety of olives, nuts and regional cheeses, typical offerings may include:
• patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce)
• spicy chorizo sausage with aioli dip
• thinly sliced oak-smoked, cured beef
• paella and salt cod croquettes
• tortilla patata (potatoes cooked in olive oil with onion and egg)
• anchovies wrapped around piquillo peppers
• Serrano ham and Manchego or Urgelia cheese
• peppers stuffed with almonds, goats cheese and sun dried tomatoes
• shrimps or mushrooms in oil and garlic
• grilled or marinated anchovies or sardines
And to drink…
From traditional fino sherry and quality sangria, to a wide range of red (particularly Riojas) and dry white wines, beer and cider, tapas dishes pair surprisingly well with pretty much any type of liquid refreshment; the choice is yours.
For a taster of tapas try:
Anexo Bar & Restaurant, 61 Turnmill Street, Farringdon, London, EC1M 5PT: large capacity, bar, restaurant and club venue that serves carefully selected tapas as well as other Mediterranean-style dishes.
Centro, 93 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8TX: a modern style tapas bar, popular with legal and media clientele.
Cigala, 54 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, WC1N 3LW: for tapas treats including cecina (oak-smoked, cured beef) and king prawns al pil pil, in a white wine, parsley, garlic and chilli sauce, all attentively served in sleek, elegant surroundings.
Don Pepe, 99 Frampton Street, Off Edgware Road, London, NW8 8NA: enjoy a superb range of classic tapas dishes in the delightful surroundings of at London's oldest tapas bar.
El Metro, 10 Metropolitan Station Arcade, Beadon Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 7AA: choose from a varied menu of around thirty different tapas; enjoy the relaxed yet lively atmosphere, with a dash of flamenco on Fridays and Saturdays.
El Molino, 379 Holloway Road, Islington, London, N7 8PJ: for an impressive selection of around forty different tapas to choose from, washed down with exceptionally good sangria.
El Prado, 764/766, Fulham Road, London, SW6 5SJ: for freshly prepared tapas, traditional décor and friendly service.
La Noche, 41 Putney High Street, London, SW15 1FP: trendy tapas venue serving a mouth-watering array of tapas dishes in welcoming surroundings.
La Rueda, 314 Earls Court Road, London, SW5 9BQ: a lively, modern bar that offers an exceptional tapas menu with lively salsa nights as an added bonus.
La Rueda, 102 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 3RL: great tapas, lively atmosphere and plenty of Spanish dancing!
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