Dehesa

Dehesa Restaurant Review:

The word Dehesa refers to the woodlands in Spain where the black-footed Ibérico pigs graze, producing the kind of ham you dream of but cannot afford to indulge in too often. Well, save up for the offering here (£17), hand-carved from the leg on display; it's an indication of the quality of the tapas on offer. The tapas menu is imaginative; try char-grilled chorizo with braised fennel and preserved lemon, braised ox cheeks with swede and carrot mash, pickled cucumber and girolles, or Cornish crab tagliolini with lemon, vanilla and pickled celery. This is heady stuff, washed down by a selection of sherries or intriguing lesser-known Italian and Spanish regional wines. Service is good and bookings are accepted for meals, except for brunch at the weekends. Dehesa is part of the group that owns Opera Tavern, Ember Yard and Salt Yard. Set menus with a generous selection of tapas £37.50 or £42.50.