El Torero, The Side, NE1 1PR tel 0191 233 1122

Friends had told us that we might have to wait for a table at El Torero the Spanish Tapas Restaurant if we called in on a Friday night. Although it appeared busy, we were ushered to a table immediately when we arrived at about 7.40pm. By the time we moved to the bar after 9.00pm the place was full and diners who had not booked were being advised that they might have to wait over 30 minutes for a table. Most appeared quite happy because they were going to get a table and it would give them the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and people watch whist they waited in the bar. It is so interesting to see people come in off a cold street into a warm vibrant restaurant with the staff fussing round them. It adds to the atmosphere to hear the Spanish language being used at a high volume and fast rate as drinks are ordered and tables prepared by the mainly Spanish staff. There were large parties, couples and family groups all seemingly having a great time.

We had been forewarned not to order too many tapas. Restricting ourselves was difficult, as there is such a wide variety on the extensive menu. We settled for the “cordero a la pepitoria” (succulent lamb braised in a tomato and cream sauce), “potatas a la riojana” (a mix of fried potatoes, red peppers and chorizo sausage) and “ropa vieja” (chickpeas in a spicy tomato sauce with spicy sausage). Ordering the tapas was taken as a challenge like the GCSE speaking test (menu closed and no using English). The waiters were great as they tried to work out our mangled pronunciation, all part of the fun with the reward of the tapas being delivered fairly quickly to the table rather than the very long wait for GCSE results. Within each of the three tapas there was a mix of distinctive flavours, each enjoyable on its own or mixed with the others. The quantities were generous especially the lamb and both my partner and I drooled (figuratively and literally) over the chickpeas. With just a little space still left for the rest of our Torrecilli red wine we chose one more tapas, “datiles con beicon” (dates in bacon). This tapas with the delicate taste of the smoky bacon round a date stuffed with an almond is best consumed on its own to experience the subtle mix of textures and flavours. The wine and the four tapas came to a reasonable £28.50. We certainly found the service and food excellent and we really enjoyed the ambience and style of the restaurant. It is the sort of place that you feel you have to return to and we most certainly will.