La Tasca, Bristol > Reviews (3)

In Britain when we think of bar snacks, dry roasted peanuts, pork scratchings and maybe curly sandwiches generally come to mind (Wide generalisations? Me?) The Spanish, however have a much better suggestion. Tortilla, patatas povres, paella to name but a few are much more mouth watering offerings to accompany your San Miguel than anything Mr Walker has to offer. But where can one sample of this fine fare without hopping on the next flight to Barcalona? Considering the section you’re in you probably know the answer.

La Tasca has numerous locations around the UK and I am regularly drawn to the Bristol branch. Although this is a chain restaurant and therefore something normally worth only avoidance and derision La Tasca does hold a certain appeal. The chain’s ‘ethos’ is that it is an amalgamation of the best that the Spanish eating culture has to offer. However this is more a get out clause to avoid being labelled with not feeling authentic!

As a bar in its own right I have to hold my hands up and say I would avoid it like week old road kill. The beer and alcohol in general is unpleasantly expensive. The most cost-effective way of drinking is by two-pint pitcher of San Miguel but this doesn’t make the price of a pint that much closer to pub prices. The food however is the reason to visit (just drink slowly and hit a cheap bar after).

There’s something about the concept of tapas that has always appealed to me. Why have one meal when you can have 5 eh? La Tasca’s menu is more extensive than you could possibly imagine but this suits the best way of eating tapas in my view, that of ordering loads and sharing with friends. As well as the 35 plus different dishes available on the tapas part of menu there are also a variety of paellas available which are designed only for sharing or the gannet. In case you’re thinking eating many dishes is an expensive way to assemble meal then don’t fret as most dishes on the tapas menu range from £1.95 up to about £3.95. Unless you’re feeling particularly hungry then 2 or 3 dishes per person will suffice so the cost of food can work out quite reasonable. For full details La Tasca’s menu is available on http://www.latasca.co.uk/menu-food.htm

The quality of food is fantastic and will have you yearning to try all the available dishes but their tortilla (Spanish omelette) is a must. I have always found the service exemplary with friendly and helpful staff and I’ve also never had to wait long for my food. In fact at lunchtimes there is a promotion running where if your order isn’t ready in 10 minutes it’s free. Another bonus is that booking a table is actively discouraged. Fantastic if you’re lazy like me and hate having to plan too far ahead, but it can be a problem for large groups.

Anyway if you’re a fan of Spanish food and fancy a tasty and reasonably inexpensive meal out La Tasca gets a firm recommendation from me.