Food > The Big Eat Out: or IN
Big Eat Out // Bar Tapas
29/08/14
Bar Tapas
Nestled away, above Brambles on Exchange Street, Bar Tapas is a Norwich culinary institution. In a city sometimes lacking in multicultural cuisine, the restaurant has been educating Norfolk's palette with a taste of Spain and South America for over 23 years. It's also a place that holds a soft spot in my cold, cynical heart, as several years ago I gazed across the same restaurant, through tequila glazed eyes, at a chap I thought was rather nice. Today I returned with that chap, and our eight month old son (all together now, 'awwwww'/vomit).
Atmosphere
Bar Tapas' charm lies in its warm, eccentric interior. There is a pleasant lack of the ubiquitous white-washed decor and utilitarian service which is commonplace in many of today's restaurants. Instead you are welcomed by chatty staff, bright, bold colours and a host of jolly Spanish and South American artifacts festooning the walls.
Due to the aforementioned small child we had to visit the restaurant at lunch time, but I can tell you from previous experience that it's the evening when Bar Tapas really comes to life. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings it opens till late, and when the serious business of eating is out of the way, the tables are pushed to one side to make way for the equally serious business of salsa dancing.
To put my parental hat on for a moment, I must also mention how accommodating the restaurant was of our small person, providing assistance getting the buggy up the stairs, food for him to chew on/throw on the floor, and maracas to shake (which, after about two minutes, we all decided was a bad idea).
The food
Now, I have a bit of a love hate relationship with tapas. I love it because it gives you an excellent opportunity to sample a wide breadth of a menu - much of which is often deep fried, yum yum - but it also requires something which I'm not that good at: sharing my food. Luckily the portions at Bar Tapas are reasonably sized and, thankfully, served in even numbers, so I wasn't forced to practice a bit of Survival of The Fittest over the last meatball (if you really can't abide the idea of sharing there are a selection of main courses, platters and salads available, to keep the peace). The menu is lengthy - with a wide range of vegetable, cheese, meat and fish based dishes - but after much debate and a bit of advice, we eventually narrowed it down to a choice of six. My personal favourites were the classic Patatas al la Brava - sauteed potatoes, perfectly cooked and served in a rich and spicy sauce - and the moreish Tapas Jalapenos - green jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, deep fried and served with garlic mayonnaise (word of warning to vampires: garlic features heavily throughout the menu).
Value
Tapas can be a dangerous game when trying to keep track of a dining budget, as it's easy to get carried away and over order. But with most dishes retailing around £4.95, two people can have a very generous meal, with drinks, for under £40.
Overall
It might be one of those places you hear mentioned and are never quite sure where it is; perhaps you've passed by but not thought to pop in; or maybe it's somewhere you used to go, but have forgotten of late - either way, next time you're walking down Exchange Street, I heartily recommend you to venture up the stairs. Take some friends, order big, and dance the night away on the Costa Del Nozza.
Venue: 9/10
Fodder: 7.5/10
Value - 8/10
Overall - 8/10