I HAVE a friend who adores La Tasca – she’s addicted to its hugely popular calamari. But I haven’t been to the chain much myself, possibly twice in my life.

The Festival Place branch was peaceful and relatively quiet when I visited to finally properly sample the menu. It was ambiently lit and had a suitably Spanish tapas set-up with its bistro tables and tablecloths. 

It took me a while to negotiate the long menu, something I have always found intimidating about the tapas in general. I worry that if I choose things which don’t complement each other, or aren’t filling enough, I’ll leave thinking it has been a disappointing meal – or still hungry! I also want to make sure I pick things which are worth the money.  

A pleasant woman took my drink order and left me to decide for a minute longer. I finally opted for the oven baked flat bread, apparently from the Balearic Islands, topped with fire roasted peppers, onion and cheddar cheese at £6.95.

To accompany it, I selected the previously mentioned Andalucian calamares - crispy squid - sprinkled with sea salt, served with paprika and roasted garlic mayo - at £4.40, chorizo, a bowl of Patatas bravas at £2.95 and the Malagan deep-fried white fish at £4.75.

I couldn’t resist trying one of the new items on the menu, the pair of Catalonia homemade beef burgers at £4.95.

A note beside the flat bread warned that it was cooked to order so might be a while, but it arrived pretty swiftly, piping hot and was delicious with the right topping:bread ratio.

Everything else followed on quickly. Calamari is just too rubbery for me to love, but I was delighted by the white fish, which was chunky, flaky and not remotely greasy.

The new duo of mini burgers also proved to be a hit. Each one was moist and succulent, the Spanish toppings adding a classy touch to a fast food favourite.

And, whilst taking a longer look at the menu, I discovered to my surprise that there were many other things on there that I fancied sampling, including the salad with wheat, red quinoa and lentils, avocado and rustica tomatoes, marinated in infused lemon oil.

The children’s menu seems good value, too – three courses from a long tapas menu (which includes fish fingers and chips in addition to manchego and more Spanish options), dessert and a drink for £5.95.   

On this evidence, I may become a more regular customer!