After just a brisk five minute stroll up the Shepherd’s Bush Road, away from traffic-choked Hammersmith tube station, you'll arrive at Los Molinos, an unassuming family-owned Spanish tapas bar.

The Venue
Having been run by the same hands-on proprietor, Jose Patino, for over 20 years, the restaurant has been lovingly fine-tuned into delightful neighbourhood eatery. It’s not a posh restaurant and doesn’t pretend to be; nor is it a bland chain. Stepping into the street level main restaurant area, fashioned from a terrace house, the scent of fresh lilies hit you. The plain wooden floor works well with the scrubbed honey pine tables, dotted with flickering tea lights and red and white chequered napkins; the peachy coloured walls covered with typical Spanish plates.

The Atmosphere
Being a tapas bar, the home cooked food cries out to be shared and this conviviality factor might explain why the venue is also popular with larger groups and for parties. Step downstairs and you’ll find an even cosier room, with a huge French window, two old fireplaces (one with working stove) and seating for 45. The acoustic effect of the wooden floor means it may get a bit lively at times - if the sound of people enjoying themselves bothers you, try to visit outside the peak period. The predominantly Spanish staff are friendly and efficient, and the owner very quickly becomes your new best friend.

The Food
With nearly 50 dishes from which to choose, you’d be a very unlucky person not to find three (the recommended number) that you like the sound of. Squid, octopus, sardines, lamb kidneys, meatballs, chicken livers, pork ribs: they're all here. Served in a big thick white bowl with just the right amount of garlic and seasoning, the fresh gazpacho hits the spot, whilst grilled goat’s cheese is another recommendation; you're unlikely to want to share this with anyone. It's not your average goat’s cheese, but an unusual Spanish cheese that's slightly nutty, very creamy and well suited to eating with the toasted bread with which it is served.

Fresh, fat, juicy tiger prawns, simply fried in garlic with lemon slip down easily, as does the spicy Spanish sausage, cooked beautifully in red wine. The potato and onion frittata may transport you back to a pavement café in Malaga, and the light tempura-like fried leeks served with aioli melt on the tongue. Only one dish disappoints slightly; from the specials board, the baby fried peppers scattered with sea salt taste rather bland. As for desserts, even if you think you are stuffed, puddings are obligatory - the pancakes with Grand Marnier may push you over the edge, but what a way to go.

The Drink
Keeping true to its roots, wines are from major Spanish-speaking countries including mainland Spain, Chile and Argentina. Unusual aperitifs are a speciality – try the almond–based Licor de Manzana. Not sure? Better have another glass.

The Last Word
Los Molinos is one of those rare and special places you want to selfishly dig up and move nearer to where you live; or at least keep its existence to yourself. Here’s to another twenty years.

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