You’ll find no fancy dishes or innovative cuisine here, just good, old fashioned, traditional tapas.

The Venue
Barrica is a small, narrow venue, fitting in as many people as possible with high tables and bar stools in the front of the restaurant and a more traditional dining area at the rear. The bright yellow walls are cheerful and the decor keeps things traditional without being over the top – think modern lighting, a tiled floor and sleek wood tables. The marble-topped bar stretches along one wall, making it a good spot to lunch alone or grab a drink before a date.

The Atmosphere
Located around the corner from Fitzrovia food mecca Charlotte Street, Barrica enjoys a brisk passing trade and at lunch is full to the brim with crowds of office workers trying to sneak in some quick tapas. During dinner you can expect to see things stay just as busy but the staff deal well with crowds, with every member of the team pitching in where they can. Barrica has a nice, warm atmosphere, and with a few slight tweaks of your imagination you could easily imagine you’ve left London behind for somewhere a bit more Mediterranean.

The Food
Tapas is the only food they serve at Barrica and there’s quite a lot of familiar choices on the menu. Portions are surprisingly large and prices aren’t bad either, so you could easily leave stuffed after spending under a tenner. All the classics are well represented, like ham croquettes and padron peppers, along with a selection of hams, ranging in price from £4.50 (for Lomo Iberico Cebo) to £12 (for Jamon Iberico Bellota). Cured blood sausage and chorizo are also on offer. A traditional tortilla (£3) is thick and rich, a well balanced combination of eggs and potatoes – it’s slightly sweet and not at all dry. Manchego cheese (£3.50) is one of four types of cheese on offer, served on a wooden board with a dollop of quince jelly. The cheese is thinly sliced and there’s enough of it to make it more than just an afterthought.

Two of the best dishes are again some of the more traditional ones, with a generous plate of patatas bravas coming in at just £3.50. Easily one of the best examples of this classic tapas dish in the capital, the crisp, floury potatoes have been lightly fried to perfection, not too greasy or too dry – you can tell they have been made with care. The tomato sauce, made with sherry, has a sweetly smoky taste whilst the alioli gives the dish a nice garlicky kick. Meatballs are also a great option. Made here with pork and oxtail, for £4.50 you get four plump, juicy meatballs in a fresh tomato sauce. The meat is soft and tender and has been cooked perfectly. A couple of desserts are on offer (almond tart, vanilla ice cream) but if you’re still hungry you might wind up being tempted to order another round of meatballs or patatas bravas instead.

The Drink
Although there are quite a few Spanish wines on offer (from £2.20 to £5.35 a small glass, £3 to £7.50 a large glass and £13 to £60 a bottle) the main attraction on Barrica’s drinks list is their sherry. Options include Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado, East Indian and Pedro Ximenez, starting at £3.50 for 100ml. If you’re not used to drinking sherry, the menu helpfully explains the taste of each type, as well as the foods they’re best paired with. Liqueurs, spirits, Spanish beers and ciders complete the drinks menu.

The Last Word
With its well priced food and friendly atmosphere, Barrica is a great place if you’re looking for a quick lunch or a long, leisurely evening lingering over tapas and sherry.

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