For a tenner - a second take.

After having arrived at the Primrose Bakery in Covent Garden just as it was closing for the day, a rather disheartened group of four wandered around Covent Garden in the miserable weather looking for something to lift those spirits. As we abandoned the initial idea of a tea-and-cupcakes session and embraced the thought of dinner instead, we soon realised that we were a bit spoilt for choice. We finally settled on La Tasca, something that suited Steven who's enthusiastic about all things Spanish, extremely well. I was surprised that the Tapas for a Tenner deal was still going on in La Tasca (and of course, that suited everyone extremely well) - it's been almost a year.

La Tasca
23-24 Maiden Lane,
Covent Garden,
WC2E 7NA

I must say, the whole ordering process becomes so much easier when you have the option of saying, "Can we have everything on the menu, please?" Based on previous experience at a different La Tasca, I was a little apprehensive about certain items on the menu but with the option of giving everything a shot, we really had nothing to lose.

It's amazing how much food one can fit onto a tiny table with some clever arranging and stacking - let's just say that those skills definitely got us far this time around.

As always, the meatballs and fried calamari were hits. We also enjoyed the deep-fried white fish and chicken croquettes.

The berenjenas gratinadas (aubergine baked in garlic and wine sauce, topped with cheese), one of my all-time favourites, did not disappoint.

Both paella dishes came as a pleasant surprise as unlike the last time I was there, the paella was flavourful and rather addictive, particularly paella de verduras (vegetarian paella).

One thing that hasn't changed is the warm atmosphere that all La Tasca outlets seem to have. The soft lighting and rustic interior is a great setting for catching up with friends and in this particular case, making new ones.