Lifting The Lid On Tapas at La Tasca

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Hens and stags in, pollo and ciervo out

On its website the UK's premiere Spanish-themed restaurant chain welcomes parties of stags, hens,and speed daters and I know they run salsa classes at our Ealing branch on tuesdays. It definitely has the hot blooded Spanish atmosphere to carry off a good party. Unfortunately, luke warm food left me cold.

Keen to find I wasn't alone in my disappointment I searched for other reviews online and found this fantastic write up on another La Tasca in the chain on cambridgeonline.co.uk.

“People! the problem with la tasca all over the uk. is the food is made in selford. (sic) and then placed in the microwave. and eating (sic) by silly people. NO Actual prepation (sic) cooking has can (sic) on in the outlet. remember tapas are simple to make. its giving the wrong impression and should not be claiming it is spanish food. yes i have offcially started a real Spanish Food Campaign. Real spanish food which can range from roasted piglet to gazpachelo! so while spanish food is gaining popularity in the uk. i dont want to see some be (sic) company rip off my heritage! and give people an illusion.”
by Realspanishfood - Friday 30 June 2006

A Spanish take on the Spanish food franchise. And I'm inclined to agree.

I am reliably informed that the tapas way of eating - lots of small tasters - comes from the Spanish word 'Tapa', meaning 'lid'. The story goes that when farmers went to their local 'Tasca' – 'inn' for a drink at the end of the day, the innkeeper would place a slice of bread on top of their glass to ward off flies. Gradually they began placing nibbles on top of their bread – cured meats, sausages. And tapas was born.

Sadly my tapas dishes tasted like they'd been left out for the flies in the sun for too long. Or rather left out in the kitchen and briefly microwaved before bringing out.

Right, there are obviously quite a few dishes to get through for this review – three to five was the recommended number we share – so I'll crack on.

In no order of preference we have:

Berenjenas Gratinadas (V) £3.35 fresh aubergine with cheese, tomato & herbs

my favourite, did exactly what it said on the tin

Montado de Jamon y Queso £3.55 Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, lightly grilled served on toasted bread

a cold cheese and ham toastie. Would have preferred it warm.

Paella de Chorizo £3.65 our famous Spanish paella with chorizo

nothing like any paella I've ever had in Spain - a disappointing bowl of savoury rice pudding

Albondigas a la Jardinera £3.80 our famous meatballs served with vegetable and tomato sauce

fame again, but their only resemblance to the real thing for me was the shape. A perfect example of how microwaves can destroy good food.

A very important redeeming feature here was the service - attentive and cheerful. Our relaxed and friendly waitress recommended the Farache Tempranillo,Valdepeñas 2004 £13.75 to wash our food down and she was was spot on.

That, then, was the extent of our order – our waitress had told us when we initially placed it that we were welcome to come back for more tapas. Not all that likely I'm afraid. BUT I know this restaurant is very popular with organised parties and events. And that's where its strength lay - top marks for tempo, tinker with the tapas.

Charlie Canniff

 

April 15, 2007