An authentic taste of down to earth Spain
Written by Ravenous Rosie Tuesday, 05 August 2008 10:36
TRADITIONAL Spanish cooking is, in the main, down-to-earth, uncomplicated and made with locally sourced ingredients.
La Tasca, in Canary Wharf, offers authentic, simple dishes and a taste of Spain to brighten up the day, whatever the weather.
When I walked in I was struck by how cosy and European the décor was. Candles were lit on all the tables and, although it was busy, you did not have to shout to be heard.
My friend and I quickly scanned the menu and opted for the tapas taster with fish.
This is designed for newcomers to tapas and features some of the most popular dishes.
It consisted of seafood paella, fried squid rings, king prawns in batter, spinach and avocado salad, garlic mushrooms, potato and onion omelette and fried potato in a spicy tomato sauce. Also on offer was tapas taster with meat, which included chicken, chorizo and traditional dishes.
Our waiter was very friendly and helped with our poor Spanish pronunciation. The tapas dishes were not all brought out together, which was a good thing, as there wasn’t room for more than about three dishes on our table.
We quickly tucked into the fired squid rings and garlic mushrooms, which were scrumptious. After polishing that off I tried the king prawns and fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.
The spinach and avocado salad was a revelation and really tasty (I never thought salad could be so interesting).
The omelette however was a bit disappointing and was quite heavy and dry. The seafood paella was filling, but very wet and, the fact that it was a fish based dish notwithstanding, very smelly.
But the service and atmosphere could not be faulted and get top marks. It’s definitely somewhere I will be dining out more often.
La Tasca is described on its website as somewhere you’re not just going to have a fun evening out, but a great night out and I have to agree.
The tapas taster for two cost £19.95.
La Tasca, Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14. Tel: 7531 9990.
La Tasca, in Canary Wharf, offers authentic, simple dishes and a taste of Spain to brighten up the day, whatever the weather.
When I walked in I was struck by how cosy and European the décor was. Candles were lit on all the tables and, although it was busy, you did not have to shout to be heard.
My friend and I quickly scanned the menu and opted for the tapas taster with fish.
This is designed for newcomers to tapas and features some of the most popular dishes.
It consisted of seafood paella, fried squid rings, king prawns in batter, spinach and avocado salad, garlic mushrooms, potato and onion omelette and fried potato in a spicy tomato sauce. Also on offer was tapas taster with meat, which included chicken, chorizo and traditional dishes.
Our waiter was very friendly and helped with our poor Spanish pronunciation. The tapas dishes were not all brought out together, which was a good thing, as there wasn’t room for more than about three dishes on our table.
We quickly tucked into the fired squid rings and garlic mushrooms, which were scrumptious. After polishing that off I tried the king prawns and fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.
The spinach and avocado salad was a revelation and really tasty (I never thought salad could be so interesting).
The omelette however was a bit disappointing and was quite heavy and dry. The seafood paella was filling, but very wet and, the fact that it was a fish based dish notwithstanding, very smelly.
But the service and atmosphere could not be faulted and get top marks. It’s definitely somewhere I will be dining out more often.
La Tasca is described on its website as somewhere you’re not just going to have a fun evening out, but a great night out and I have to agree.
The tapas taster for two cost £19.95.
La Tasca, Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14. Tel: 7531 9990.
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