Tapas
Very simply, tapas are little tasty morsels of food to be devoured with a cold drink. In Spain they are a way of life. In any village, town or city in Spain, if you see the locals gathering around long bars before their dinner, you can be pretty sure it is because of the quality of tapas.
The origin of Tapas is hotly debated! The word comes from the verb Tapar, meaning “to cover”.
1) One theory is that Castilian King Alfonso X was a bit keen on his food and drink, so his personal cooks served him up very small portions to keep his weight down, but also to soak up the alcohol!!
2) However the Andalucians laugh at this theory. In their minds tapas originated in the sunny south, by covering their glass of sherry with a piece of bread, cheese or Jamon to keep the flies out!
3) The Moors also lay a claim as it has always been customary in their hospitality to serve lots of tiny dishes as a sign of refinement.
However Tapas originated, it has evolved so much that today you can go into a bar and receive anything from a slice of basic cheese or ham, to a Michelin starred array of culinary delights. Every Tapas bar has its own style and specialities, and no ingredient is off limits, Spanish or not!
Here at Bar 44, our Tapas is served at the table or the bar, the eating experience is intended to be sociable and relaxing. We focus heavily on high quality artisan Spanish and Welsh produce on our menu.
We recommend between 4 and 6 dishes per couple wanting to be filled up, or just one if you fancy a nibble with your drink. Our menu style is a mix of classic Spanish dishes and more contemporary Tapas.
We endeavour to source many of our ingredients from independent artisan Spanish producers, and mix them with the best of local produce. Many are organic and free range. If you would like any information
about any of our dishes or ingredients, please do not hesitate to ask.
Should you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, please let a member of staff know; we prepare all food on site everyday and are able to accommodate most requests.