Restaurant review: Galicia Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar
For delicious and authentic Spanish food, you need look no further than an old Golborne favourite, the Galicia. Walk into the restaurant’s bar at the front, and you could imagine you’d stepped straight into a bar in Vigo (a city on the coast of Galicia, the north western part of Spain). As well as being a favourite with locals, many Spaniards are regular customers.The restaurant is decorated in traditional Spanish style, with no concessions to the minimalism that so many modern Portobello restaurants go in for.
The place has a family-run ambience, with many of the waiters having worked there for years. Indeed, they almost all come from Galicia themselves and the restaurant closes for the month of August every year so that the staff can go home for an annual break.
The region of Galicia, or Gallego as the inhabitants call it in their own Celtic language, is perched on the Atlantic coast so, unsurprisingly, the cuisine is especially strong on fish and seafood.
A full menu is available, but many customers go for the tapas. Pulpo a la Gallega, discs of octopus tentacle cooked with olive oil and paprika and served on a round wooden platter is outstanding.
Other firm favourites include Gambas al Ajillo, garlic prawns, Albondigas, meatballs, and a simple plate of Serrano ham – superior in the eyes of many to Italian Parma.
Highlights on the formal menu include tender Costeletas (lamb chops) and Paella; a really decent steak is also available. Don’t forget the desserts, including indulgent home made cakes and the Spanish favourite Flan, an individual vanilla custard with caramel sauce.
Galicia is also a great place to pop into for a drink. They have a decent wine list, Spanish brandy is available and they serve imported Estrella beer.
Galicia is one of those places where you can take a trip abroad without even leaving the neighbourhood.
Galicia Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar
323 Portobello Road
020 8969 3539