The scene Surreal scenes from the likes of Spanish artists Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso adorns the restaurant walls, with the restaurant’s focal point, a large mural of Dali’s Windmills With Butterfly Blades, adding a classy splash of colour.
The establishment quickly fills up with cross section of trendy young things, couples on dates and larger groups, and the room is soon alive with the sound of animated chatter.
A huge bar in La Mancha’s front half serves up a selection of exceptionally well-balanced cocktails. It’s an extremely pleasant environment.
The grub La Mancha’s menu involves a massive offering of tapas, extensive to the point of overwhelming, and all food persuasions are catered for in a variety of ways.
My date and I go for a small selection for starters: gambones (king prawns in brandy sauce), vieras (sea scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce) and champinones al ajillo (mushrooms with garlic and chilli). Each is exceptional.
For mains, we choose the 200g pepito de solomillo fillet steak, which is cooked to absolute perfection, complemented with a mouth-watering peppercorn sauce; and the zarzuela de pescado, a casserole of mussels, prawns, monkfish, salmon, squids and sea bass, lobster sauce, which is slightly on the salty side, but a great dish nonetheless.
With a cocktail each and a few glasses of wine, there’s only really room for a shared dessert, the banoffee pie a perfect end to a fine meal.
Service from La Mancha’s friendly and professional waiting staff is exemplary.
Behind the bar More than 20 top cocktails, sangria and a good range of Spanish beer, wine and cider, served by knowledgeable bar staff.
Bill please Tapas from £2.95; mains from £8.95; desert from £4.95; wine from £5.50/£15.50; cocktails from £6; beer from £3.85
Verdict Wholesome Spanish food in a relaxed environment. An excellent start to your evening in Putney.
Putney High Street,
Tube | Putney Bridge
lamancha.co.uk
