Whether you're looking for ways to spice up your staycation or are riding on the coattails of your…read moremost recent España holiday high-- Tabanco will not disappoint.
Way back when in 17th century Jerez, 'tabancos' were taverns used by communities for socializing while enjoying local wines and foods. Tabanco brings this taste of Andalucian culture to Cambridge, showcasing traditional flavors with modern twists.
Located in the city center, Tabanco is ideally situated for residents, tourists, and students alike. Its main focus is 'tapas y vino'; with endless applause I deeply appreciate places that can pull off simplicity so well and elevate it to such great heights of excellence.
The restaurant space is well thought-out. Upon entering you are greeted at the bar, and then seated either on the long table centered in the middle of the room or at one of the smaller tables lining the walls. The color scheme embraces warm reds/oranges, and Edison-esque lighting and mouth watering Ibérico ham hang along the edges of the ceiling. The light Spanish music drifting in the background then sets for a relaxing atmosphere. With all these elements combined it is easy to forget that you never left England.
If you've never had tapas before, they're basically appetizer-sized dishes. As someone who wants to try everything on a menu, agonizes over what to order, and then gets food envy-- tapas are a godsend solution. Since they're smaller than mains, you're encouraged to order several plates. It's like creating your own taster menu for Spanish cuisine; just choose whatever most interests you and you're good to go! Even better yet, grab a group of friends and practically order the whole menu to try out together! I am happy to report that I have done so and honestly, you cannot go wrong with anything on Tabanco's menu.
If you're looking for a more traditional/introductory tapas, I would recommend the 'tortilla' (Spanish omelette), 'patatas bravas' (deep fried potatoes), and 'croquetas de jamón' (ham croquettes). The tortilla held its shape beautifully without being too dry and had a burst of flavor from the caramelized onions inside. And unlike normal chips/fries that need to be immediately devoured before they go soggy, somehow the patatas bravas magically remained crisp from start to finish. The croquetas de jamón had a lovely breaded crust that contrasted nicely with the creamy bechamel and ham filling without feeling too greasy.
For meat lovers, the 'chorizo a la plancha con boniato' (grilled chorizo with sweet potato), 'pechuga de pato ahumado' (smoked duck breast on cranberry butter toast), 'filete de ternera' (flat iron steak), and the
'presa Ibérica' (grilled acorn-fed Iberico pork loin with romesco) are all amazing. The sweet potato balanced out the chorizo spices, and the duck with cranberries tasted like a Christmas roast. Both the flat iron steak and pork loin were skillfully finished with the doneness perfectly executed, no steak knife required here! And last, but not the least-- the romesco sauce was surprisingly divine. As a nut and red pepper-based sauce it added so much depth to the pork without overpowering it. I want to just put it on everything now and can't believe I've gone through my life without ever having it before.
In terms of seafood, I suggest the 'gambas tempura' (tempura prawns). Having grown up on a tropical island where fresh seafood is a staple of everyday life, I'm normally disappointed with the selection I've seen in the UK. However, Tabanco's gambas tempura are massive in size with the prawns keeping their tenderness even after being deep fried. The saffron aioli was also a nice accompaniment, bringing in reminiscent flavors of paella without all the heavy stodge.
Service-wise, the staff were all very welcoming and worked so efficiently. I used to work as a busser and know first hand how chaotic restaurants can get. However, even at peak times the Tabanco staff never skipped a beat. I think it all comes back to their ingenious restaurant layout-- orders are picked up from the kitchen and staff move in a circular path around the center table back to the kitchen. Along the way they can take/drop off orders and tend to any queries when they loop back around again.
Phew! And if the above was not enough to convince you yet, Tabanco also has an impressive selection of imported Spanish sherries and wines. Feel free to ask the lovely staff for recommendations. Already looking forward to my next visit. Salud!
