The Opera Tavern

It may sound more like a pub, but The Opera Tavern is a restaurant - sister to Dehesa and Salt Yard (see entries) - serving Spanish and Italian tapas dishes. It was a pub once mind you, and you can see remnants from those days in the downstairs bar, which is still a lively and popular venue for drinking (as well as serving everything from nibbles to the full menu). Upstairs is the main restaurant, where the bare-wood tables are tightly packed, the lighting is subdued and the atmosphere buzzes along. The friendly, knowledgeable staff help navigate the interesting Spanish and Italian centric wine list, and advise on how much and what to choose from the menu of small plates, charcuterie, grills and cheeses. Nocellara de Belice olives from Spain and some chargrilled fresh bread with peppery olive oil is a fine way to start, before moving on to something hot like crispy squid and sea purslane with chilli aïoli. The braised short rib of beef with polenta, cavolo nero and sage makes an excellent, meaty follow-on, finishing with a fine pannacotta with clementine sorbet and blood orange granita.