spanish delight
With low-level orange lighting, this large restaurant still manages to provide a clandestine atmosphere. (Flattering for those trying to knock a few years off their age). Spanish style tapas served by Spanish style waitrons with an extensive menu from taken from every corner of Spain. All very tempting until you ask them to alter a dishﾅsay, take out the peppers, and you find out that itﾒs all pre made. However, this doesnﾒt detract from the fact that the food is always blumminﾒ gorgeous and on the table in record time for a very reasonable price.
Itﾒs best to order between two- four dishes per person, depending on how hungry you are, but after waiting ten minutes smelling a cloud of hot garlic emanating from the kitchens, and after seeing the staff whiz past laden down with plates and plates full of Iberian delicacies, you may wish youﾒd ordered more. The prices range from about ﾣ2.50 to ﾣ3.95, and the portions are generous to say the least. Itﾒs recommended you order bread (not included) because many of the dishes come smothered in tangy sauces, garlicky oils and passataﾅit would be a sin if you couldnﾒt indulge in mopping up, especially the piquant sauce of the lamb in peppercorns, and heavenly oil of the chorizo sausage. The paellas arenﾒt too bad, they are, however, absolutely massive: thereﾒs certainly enough for three people, and four would come away feeling pretty stuffed.
This place is the closest youﾒll get to mainland Spain without shelling out ﾣ200 with Easy jet on a flight full of 18-30ﾒs hell bent on contacting alcohol poisoning on their first night out in Benidorm. In fact, you can almost forget this place is a nationwide chain: itﾒs always rammed Friday and Saturdays, which means that you may have to wait a while at the bar while a table becomes available. (Do look out for the jugs of San Miguel though; itﾒs spiked with a sledgehammerﾅconsider booking next day off work if you have more than three pints). The wine list is moderate to good, populated by riojas, and a decent one will set you back between ﾣ10-ﾣ15. Itﾒs all too easy to knock back loads. The atmosphere is always party party party, and it would be rude not to join in with the fun. Itﾒs great for big groups too, there are two set menus - one for ﾣ12.50 per head and the other for ﾣ15.00. Both cover the whole menu and should cater for even the fussiest by virtue of the great variety of dishes included.
However, itﾒs recommended you book early in the week if you want to be guaranteed a table. Perhaps the only criticism of this place is that perennial English favourite patatas bravas (deep fried spuds in chilli-type sauce) arenﾒt that good. (A real shame, considering how divine these things can be). Go with an empty stomach, and a thirst for premium strength lager, you wonﾒt be disappointed. This place gets big thumbs up from one of Liverpoolﾒs most fussy foodies.
Vicky Duncalf
La Tasca
Queens Square,
Liverpool,
www.latasca.co.uk
(0151 709 7999)
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