Address: Unit 6, The Old Brewery Quarter, Cardiff, CF10 1FG

Telephone number: 02920 230087

Website: http://www.latasca.co.uk/

Date of visit:  26 February, 2010

Approximate cost per head: £15

Comments on wine list/beer: Spanish beer (bottles and draft), simple wine list from £12

Summary:

I went with a group of friends for the Wales v France (8pm kick off) game. The whole of Cardiff was buzzing. If you are not fully booked this evening, there must be something wrong.

I have been to La Tasca in Reading when it first opened 2 years ago and was not all that impressed. So may be they have improved.

Rather than mess around, we had the Chef’s selection and the house selection of Tapas. Re wine, we also had the Arium Crianza at just under £16 a bottle. It was quite drinkable. We went through 3 bottles.

I am increasingly of the opinion that Spanish wines – (blanco and tinto) represents good value in a restaurant. They can usually be drunk young or old. They have also lost the heavy oaked taste that dominated rioja in the 80s. If in doubt, go the crianza which has been aged for 12 months.

After about 30 minutes wait, we got a bit grumpy and were wondering why we had no bread. We were informed by our waitress that we had to ask for it – I don’t know if it was an excuse but surely she should have offered. After that the food came fast and furious. To be honest, it was not too bad (time wise) as the place was packed out.

There were deep fried chicken wings, meat balls (abondiga), paella, ratatouille (berenjenas), deep fried squid rings, pisto manchego, prawns (gambas), chorizo.

The food was all right but not great. For example, the paella was too wet, the squid chewy. The meat ball, chicken wings were better. However, we had a good time. It was all right for a prematch meal.

It is best described as cheap and cheerful and the place was less than 10 minutes walk from the stadium. However, we all had a dry mouth later that evening that suggested MSG.

Eddie

Location: 38 Hart St, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2AU

Web site: www.labodega-tapas.co.uk

Telephone number: 01491 578611

Date of visit: 18 December 2009

Approx. cost per head: £20-25

Comments on wine list/beer: Ample and reasonably priced offering. The Sindo Rueda was a fair Sauvignon Blanc for £15.

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Review:

Often cited as one of Henley’s best restaurants, La Bodega is perhaps also one of the best tapas restaurants in the surrounding area, including Reading. Close to ample parking a no more than a 2 minute stroll from Henley Bridge and the River Thames, La Bodega is superbly placed.

The charming and distinctive frontage welcomes you to a tapas bar, with a more formal restaurant to the rear. It’s beautifully presented, combining bare brick and wood, to offer a really rustic welcome. The service, usually very friendly and welcoming, compliments this well.

Popular with locals, visitors and business people – the restaurant is a firm favourite with many regulars, always an excellent sign. La Bodega is the ideal place to spend a good few hours, whether for a social gathering a more intimate meal.

For tapas fans, alongside the regular favourites, more interesting options include tender octopus, pan-fried scallops, tuna medallions and grilled quail. The tapas menu is wide and varied, catering for all tastes and very well for vegetarians.

All meats, including live lobster, are well presented among the choice of main courses from the menu, averaging £13. The range of starters is also excellent, averaging £6.

Dave Lamont

Location: 32-36 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3AA

Telephone number: 0118 950 4039

Website: http://www.laparada.co.uk/

Date of visit: 11 November 2009

Approximate cost per head: Less than £20

Comments on wine list/beer: Several larger on tap (incl San Miguel), Wine from £15 a bottle

Summary:
It was a sort of  reunion. We (6) had all worked together for the same company a year ago. We chose La Parada because, its good place to share food and the bill.

Tapas start at £2.50 and goes up to £6.95. The portions are good sized. We all ordered a tapa each, the vegetarian paella for 2 and two lots of potatoes bravas. Including 2 bottles of wine and a round of drinks before the meal the total bill including service came to £110.

Re the tapas, we had sardine, gambas ajillo, tortilla, sardines, whitebait and chorizo.

I particularly like the chorizo which was crispy. The vegetarian paella was also very tasty – peppers and asparagus – and there were enough to go round all six of us. Everything was fine except the whitebait which was a bit dry.

On the night we went, it was a bit quiet so we were able to have the big round table in the corner. The place will easily accommodate over 100 people and they have “live” Latino music on a Friday and a Saturday night.

During weekday lunches, its buy one gets one free.

Great value.