El Torero - Tapas Without the Nonsense

Unfortunately tapas - the Spanish concept of smaller plates to be served as light snacks or combined with other dishes to make a varied meal, was murdered by a confusingly popular restaurant franchise that shall be left unnamed. Thankfully, however, there are still a handful of restaurants in Newcastle that will deliver flavoursome Spanish cuisine without molesting the authenticity or by overpricing their worth. A strong example of such a restaurant is El Torero, which is quite well hidden, but well worth the find. El Torero trumps all of those generic second-rate Spanish restaurants by offering a large range of wholesome but interesting dishes. The classics are all there, but are elevated with a sound selection of paellas, pork with blue cheese, braised lamb and spicy black sausage dishes. Life is too short to spend your time in lazy restaurants that aren't daring enough to offer you more exotic and intriguing food. El torero doesn't disappoint in this avenue. The interior is dated but pleasant and the service is friendly and very Spanish. Spanish to the point where sign language and drawings might be more useful than verbal communication. But it is good service nonetheless. 77%