LA VINA TAPAS

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]apas in town? Oh yes please. Tapas is probably one of my favourite cuisines, as a huge lover of sharing my food it’s super ideal when you get to try a bite of everything. Which brings me to one of my favourite hotspots in town, home to Valentines Day dates and post-work munchies that is La Vina, which is located on North John Street. It’s a beautiful location, and an even more beautiful interior furnished with dark woods, barrels and chandeliers that reminds me of a restaurant for Spanish sailors. We were kindly invited down to try out the delicious menu, which I rave over time, and time (and time!) again. So today I’ll be talking you through our taste testing of tapas, and authentic Spanish wines, and quite obviously why La Vina do the best tapas you’ll ever try.

Lets jump straight to the point, and chat about the wonderful varied food of La Vina. Where passion is the name of the game, from the second you stroll in to the second that you leave. The staff are incredibly passionate about selections, and helped me pick a white wine to suit our selections. I opted for a Raimat Chardonnay; 100% unoaked Chardonnay, a youthful wine which reveals delicate, aromatic notes with vibrant & refreshing fruit. Fresh, sweet but not too zingy – essentially perfect for a tapas treat! Whilst Paddy opted for a Spanish beer, because that is simply the way he rolls in La Vina, I’ve heard so many good things that I might pop back for a tipple or three. I suddenly remembered why I fell in love with La Vina, it was the combination of a candle lit dinner, with plenty of giggles with my favourite person in the world, whilst sharing a love for great food. La Vina you make my heart sing.

The one craze I insist on getting time and time again in La Vina is the Gordal Olives, they’re fresh, seeded and ooze organic taste. Whilst Paddy was served up fresh caramelised almonds, seasoned with Spanish Marcona almonds. We opted to start the ball rolling with goats cheese and calameres. With La Vina’s tapas I’d highly recommend getting three small plates each because it’s worth saving space for dessert. Our selections included patatas bravas, gambas pil pil; in a beautifully made garlic, chilli and olive oil sauce. Croquetas de pollo; Crumbed croquetas filled with chicken in a creamy Béchamel sauce – which has become my obsession as of late! Alubias con Tomate; A rich Spanish, bean, tomato & spinach stew, and finally, albondigas; roasted pork & beef meatballs in a traditional sofrito tomato sauce, highly addictive and I wish we ordered two plates instead of one.

Finally to top off the evening after sipping various red and white wines, we ended on a glass of prosecco to cleanse the palette and prepare for something extra sweet, with the chocolate y torta de naranaja; A warm, rich chocolate orange fudge brownie cake served with vanilla ice cream.

La Vina is definitely the place for a sophisticated candle lit dinner. We strive to come here as often as we can whilst exploring all the other delicious goodies that Liverpool offer us. But there’s always a special place in our hearts for the romantic decor that takes us back to dining in Spain which is some of our favourite memories as a couple. Anything with rich mayonnaise, tomato sauces served with a chilled glass of wine is completely up our street. I simply cannot wait to come back and try out their paella, which is no doubt sooner than I thought.

11 N John St, Liverpool L2 5QY
0151 2551401