Showing posts with label tapas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tapas. Show all posts


Tapaz is a relatively new player on the Bolton food scene, but is truly storming the review sites. People speak incredibly highly of it, and it's currently in the top #5 in Bolton on TripAdvisor. I've been meaning to try it for a fair while, and finally got chance recently.


The building itself is one of Bolton's grand older buildings with high ceilings and arched windows, but when you step inside it's somewhat surprising. I think part of me expected a tapas bar to be more Spanish "themed"like other tapas venues I've visited, but the decor is a combination of bright simple modernity, and... budoir? Elegant rustic iron sconces and lamp shades give that touch of Spain, but the crushed purple velvet benches and snow leopard print chairs seem a bit of an odd choice! However, it's clean, functional, and welcoming.

We are seated and given the menus by a friendly member of staff. We are happy to see that there is an "all you can eat" tapas option, which is always nice, so we opt for that! The menu is left with us so that we can choose from up to any 3 dishes at a time, but reorder as many times as we'd like.





Instead of listing each of the tapas we ordered, I'll simply share the photos. The tapas came in good time, and every one of them was hot, fresh, and delicious. Special props go to some specific things we commented on, including the fantastic citrus taste that came with the Bacalao Frito (breaded white fish with tartare), the sheer tenderness of the Costillas de Cerdo (BBQ ribs), and the incredibly rich flavours of the Chorizo al Vino (Spanish spicy sausage in red onions and red wine). It also allowed us to try "Chicken Bastilla" for a first time, which is shredded chicken in a crispy pastry, but then topped with cinnamon and sugar! It's apparently a Moroccan staple, but this was our first time trying it, and although it was a very strange idea to get used to, it worked surprisingly well! Like a cross between the end of your dinner and the start of your dessert!









The service is friendly and efficient without being intrusive, and the value is superb. Even if we didn't go for the 'all you can eat' option, the prices were great, with lunch specials also available.

As we paid I managed to embarrass myself by messing up with the card payment machine and accidentally giving a 10p tip, making me look like the stingiest tipper on the face of the planet, but despite this, the staff member who took our payment didn't let any sort of reaction show on his face. Truly professional! I noticed this on the bill as I was walking out the door, and so turned and left a bit of a better tip in change at the bar.

The one thing I will say is that I will be giving a much bigger and more deserved tip next time I visit, as I will most definitely be returning, and hopefully will have enough room to try a dessert! We can very much see how Tapaz has earned its praise! Muy bien! :)

Tapaz Ristorante
33 Bradshawgate
Bolton
BL1 1EL
(01204) 395 505
www.tapaz.co.uk

Tapaz

by on 12:08
Tapaz  is a relatively new player on the Bolton food scene, but is truly storming the review sites. People speak incredibly highly of i...


Located on Lee Lane in the heart of Horwich, which is quickly becoming a foodie haven, La Salsa is an independent tapas and wine bar which has quickly gained the love of diners both local and visiting with its good quality food and service at a good price.

The main draw is the fact that La Salsa offers a menu of over 40 tapas dishes for just £12.95-£15.95 depending on when you go. For this one price you can eat as much as you like, for as long as you like. The menu has sections covering breads, olives, salads, meat, fish, chicken, charcuterie, and vegetarian, as well as a large drinks menu covering beers, wines, liqueurs and spirits, and soft drinks, as well as the occasional special cocktail and sangria jugs. There's a dessert menu too, but most people don't get that far by the time they need rolling out the door!


The way things tend to work are that after being seated and ordering drinks, your party will each tell the server two or three dishes (they're numbered too, so don't worry about brushing off those Spanish pronunciation skills you learned in school!), and the dishes are all brought together in small dishes, allowing you to graze, nibble, and share to your own delight. After finishing a "round", the waiting staff clear your dishes and take more orders. In essence you can try everything on the menu through the evening, as many times as you'd like! I particularly like their "Tapas De Pescado" (seafood), which are done very well. To be honest, all of the dishes are cooked perfectly and presented well, and I enjoyed all of the ones I've tried immensely. I've never NOT enjoyed a visit to La Salsa!

The venue itself is split into two storefronts, which originally had one unit as the main dining room and kitchen, and the other unit as a bar and lounge area, but with La Salsa's increasing popularity, the lounge area had to be fitted out as another dining room! The décor is traditional and rustic, with stripped wooden floors, chunky wooden accents and artwork, and partitions made from old wooden doors (!), and tall candles on both the tables and against the walls, as Spanish and Catalan music plays giving an authentic feel to the Spanish atmosphere, only spoiled slightly by the ceiling, which is office style Styrofoam ceiling tiles. But frankly who's looking up? There's more food coming!


The staff are young, friendly and hard-working. Most of them don't know how to pronounce "dauphenois potatoes", which makes me giggle. Due to how busy the venue can get, you can expect to order with and be served by several different staff members. Sadly, tips given to your wait staff are all put into a communal pool "kitty", and shared out equally. This may be fair I suppose, but it doesn't account for if you get a very good waiter at one table, and a poor one at another.

La Salsa doesn't have private parking, so you will have to use street parking, or one of the local free car parks within walking distance, but luckily both options are free. 



I love La Salsa, and continue to go again and again, as do my friends, parents, in-laws, and anyone else I've introduced to it! If you try it yourself, I guarantee you will too! It's also nice to see that despite lots of local competition, including from restaurant chains nearby at Middlebrook Retail Park, La Salsa continues to thrive and gain in popularity. That shows they're definitely doing something right!


La Salsa
116 - 120 Lee Lane
Horwich

Bolton
BL6 7AF
(01204) 699 132
www.lasalsa-restaurant.com




La Salsa on Urbanspoon

La Salsa

by on 13:36
Located on Lee Lane in the heart of Horwich, which is quickly becoming a foodie haven, La Salsa is an independent tapas and wine bar wh...