Review
Las Tapas in Cabinteely is a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant. They have been in situ in the village for four years now, and while some other places have come and gone, Las Tapas have built up a loyal clientele with their authentic menu and value for money prices.
The restaurant is just on the crossroads in the centre of the village, and is a cosy and homely space with warm yellow walls decorated with Spanish photographs and paintings. There is a bar with high stools and the rest is simple wooden tables and chairs. There is an upstairs dining room that gets busy at the weekends, and it’s a busy, buzzy spot.
The menu is large, and is broken down into sections, so it makes ordering quite simple. Starting with breads and nibbles, it then runs through salads, seafood, meat, chicken and vegetables. There are also three set menus offering a variety of the most popular dishes, priced from €42 to €49 for two people, while a selection of Paellas bring up the rear, also priced for two and ranging from €19.50 to €23.50
We were dining as a threesome, and decided to order the Fiesta Selection, the largest of the set options, and added Rinones al Jerez – lamb kidneys sautéed in cream and sherry with onions, peppers and garlic.
On a midweek night, we weren’t drinking, but the wine list is mostly Spanish, but favourites like Chablis and Pinot Grigio make an appearance, while they are priced very well starting at €18, with most of the bottles priced at less that €30.
In typical fashion the dishes come out thich and fast, in no particular order, but we were glad to see the patatas bravas near the front; when they come last we are normally defeated. Prawns Pil-pil with garlic and chilli were spicy and tasty, and warm crusty bread was perfect for soaking up the garlic infused olive oil. The kidneys were piquant and tasty, and while I was the only one eating them, I enjoyed them a lot.
Little grilled lamb and pistachio kebabs were tender and flavoursome, while chicken croquetes were an unexpected highlight. Another chicken dish with paprika and chorizo was very nice, while the Spanish style meatballs were big and juicy. A Caprese salad was well made, and a small slice of Spanish omelette brought up the rear.
We finished with coffee, as desserts were beyond us at this stage. We liked Las Tapas a lot; it’s friendly and cosy, and serves very good Spanish food at very reasonable prices.
They are soon to open a second in Greystones, and a trip there when it opens seems in order.
