Opened back in the spring, Chef Omar Allibhoy’s Tapas Revolution in Shoreditch seems to have settled in nicely to its Bethnal Green Road digs. I had a lovely time recently, sampling a range of tapas over a couple of drinks at the restaurants gorgeous centrepiece copper-topped bar.
Service was stellar on the Thusdaynight . Our bartender was cool and correct with his suggestions; I loved my bottle of Er Boqueron (an unfiltered golden ale made with sea water, £5.50). The manager working the floor was super friendly and helpful too.
Food was great. Not on the menu, my favourite dish was probably the daily special: hamburguesas de morcilla (a pair of blood sausages sliders served with piquillo peppers on soft brioche buns). If Omar and team wanted to add that savoury number to the fulltime roster, I wouldn’t stop ‘em. From the menu, everything I tasted would be worth having again, especially the ham croquetas (£5.50) and the dense and homey tortilla de patata (£5.25).
Portion sizes were ample. Prices were decent. Saving room for some flan with vanilla cream was wise.
What’s missing? Little really, except for the age-old atmo of a tried and true tapas bar in, say, Madrid … or Barcelona … or Sevilla … or San Sebastian … or … you get the picture. But hey, ya gotta start a revolution somewhere, and Shoreditch is a fine enough place to do so. The flavours were as Spanish as you’ll come by in Shoreditch, and the restaurant is a welcome step up from Allibhoy’s conveniently placed tapas kiosk a Westfield (there’s a location in Bluewater too with more outlets on the way I believe).
Tapas Revolutions is located at 58 Bethnal Green Road, E1 8JW.
A smart time for you to visit might be during the restaurant’s Summer Fiesta – Friday 28 and Sunday 29 August from 6pm to 9pm – when guests can enjoy free paella and sangria on the terrace or book a table inside for 30% off the dinner menu. Entertainment will be provided by traditional Spanish flamenco dancers and DJs as well as owner Omar Allibhoy, who will be cooking a giant paella al fresco on the terrace and sharing top tips for Spanish food at home.
Find out more tapasrevolution.com.
