The Lounge, Spanish Tapas Bar

Bar for all seasons

05 Aug 07, 19:53 Above expectations

This place could be condemned for having a bit of an identity crisis. It's a bit of a hodge podge of a sports bar and a tapas joint and a brunch hotspot, but somehow it gets away with it.

It's probably mostly down to the delightful couple that run the place. She's the sort of person that when you go down there on a Saturday lunchtime with the hangover from hell and a head full of regrets about what you did last night, will look delighted to see you and serve you a perfect Bloody Mary while you decide which of their brilliant breakfasts you're going to use in place of paracetemol.

Snacky tapas is fantastic - especially the very garlicky prawns, but Sundays in the winter is when the place really comes into its own.

We've been known to head down there with the papers for brunch and a Bloody Mary, stay for a few beers and whatever football is on in the afternoon, and finally order dinner and a couple of bottles of wine. It's that sort of a place.