Tapas Revolution

Madrid meets the British high street with Omar Allibhoy's Tapas Revolution
by Amaranta Wright
Image

There is a distinct feeling of walking into a regular bar in Madrid, when you enter Omar Allibhoy’s Tapas Revolution. It’s a subtle thing; the starker- than-usual lighting, the slightly 70s feel, and the high tables and stools in the middle of the floor. Yup, you can tell this place is owned by a Spaniard.

With fancy G&Ts being all the rage in Spain, Allibhoy has all out to create a cocktail menu of classics with a Spanish twist. Being a Kir Royal girl, I couldn’t resist trying the Blood Orange & Cherry Royal, a blend of Larios gin, blood orange, aguardiente de cerezas, pimento dram shaken with lemon and topped with Cava. Christmas holidays hadn’t quite finished after all.

With the Tapas, we returned to classic Spain, with delicious ham croquetas, and perfectly cooked Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus in oil, garlic and paprika). It was time for a good glass of Spanis house red. In the absence of the merluza (monkfish in samphire and cava cream sauce), we went for the classic Calamares fritos and the more adventurous Vieiras gratinados (Scallops in béchamel gratin), and for veg we chose Berenjenas fritas (fried aubergine) and spinach and goats cheese empanadas. Though all delicious, it was a slight reminder that when ordering tapas, its important to control one’s excitement and also go for some less greasy options.

Having said that, this moment of guilt didn’t stop me ordering my favourite sweet, Churros and Chocolate. Yes it was definitely a case of let’s live today, in joyous pursuit of a heart attack. Never mind, I hadn’t made my New Year’s resolutions yet, and it was all So good!

I hadn’t finished yet. With it being so cold outside, surely one could be forgiven for ordering an after dinner pick-me-up in the form of an Espresso Blanco Martini - that’s brandy shaken with espresso, dark chocolate liqueur, Kahlua and Frangelico. Carpe diem, indeed. Resolutions start tomorrow.

Related Articles

Image
paella
'Paella' by Omar Allibhoy

In his self-confessed love letter to Valencia, Chef Omar Allibhoy unveils his passion for Spain's national dish along with…

Image
Omar's 'Huevos a la Flamenca'

This traditional Andalusian dish can be prepared in a snip and is ideal for chucking in whatever ingredients you happen to have…

Image
VEGANUARY: Omar's Mushroom, Jerusalem Artichoke and Chesnut paella

We've resurrected Omar's Autumn Paella, for Veganuary, which mixes mushroom, Jerusalem artichokes and chesnuts and is a…

Latest Content

Image
Laura Rios Diaz
Arts and Culture
Women by Women: Changing Photography For The Better

Showing at the OXO Gallery to mark International Women’s Day, ActionAid’s new exhibition Women by…

Image
REAS 2024 1
Film & Theatre
'REAS' by Lola Arias

“I see beyond the wall”...Having its UK premiere at the BFI Flare 2024 Festival, Argentine cinema…

Image
lisa
Society and Politics
LATIN LONDONER #50: LISA LUGO, SVP Marketing & Creative Solutions Live…

Born and bred a true Nuyorican, after working at Live Nation in the US, Lisa Lugo moved to the UK…

Most Viewed

Image
Top 10 Argentine Footballers

As one of the biggest football teams in South America and the world, the Argentine Football…

Image
Ballads and Boleros
Top Ten Mexican Male Singers of all Time

Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…

Image
Top 10 Mexican Boxers

Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…