It’s official “Tapas are fashionable”, just look at the wealth of tapas style restaurant openings; Nopi, Made in Camden, Sputino, Polpo, Polpetto and the Opera Tavern to name but a few. Last week we hit one of the golden oldies, Salt Yard on Goodge Street, Opera Tavern’s brother.
The restaurant has a trendy interior and open-plan kitchen, with a menu that retains classic tapas dishes; crispy fried squid, Spanish omelette and ham croquettes, whilst offering some interesting new creations.
We tried a host of dishes and we were impressed! The flavours and textures of the Sea Bream Carpaccio with blood orange and walnuts worked well together and the Fried Mozzarella Balls were crispy without being greasy. Mini Padron Peppers stuffed with chorizo were piquant without being overly fiery and the Pork Belly was so tender it melted in the mouth.. Grilled chicken with macaroni was a strange but not unpleasant combination and the Radicchio Salad provided a balance of warm heartiness and virtuous healthiness.
The absolute highlight, and the one dish we insist you order, is the courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese and smothered in honey. The crispy, sweet outsides yield to reveal the firm vegetable, which in turn contains the rich creamy cheese. A word of warning though, they are addictive; we had to order a second plate of them. A personal recommendation from the wine list is the Muscat, a pleasant medium white with soft fruity tones.
BE warned the restaurant is popular at lunchtime and after work, so you need to book in advance. If this is the Tapas revolution then we’ve joined it and we suggest you do too!
54 Goodge St, W1T
www.saltyard.co.uk