"El Classico" Tapas Restaurant, Tickhill: a Review

[Image descriptions: mural of the windmills of La Mancha, Spain, in the main dining area]

I reside in Cheshire and have some friends in Grimsby, Doncaster and Scunthorpe, none of which are places that might be termed trendy or even touristy. Normally my carer takes the motorways and we get there as quickly as possible. For my last visit across the Pennines on a lovely autumnal Saturday, we decided to take the scenic route to Sheffield and then onwards to Grimsby for a long weekend. The chosen route was expected to add an extra one to two hours, but we enjoyed the bucolic countryside between towns.

[Image descriptions: "El Classico" signage above the bar]

Hunger meant that we glanced at the atlas and decided to break for luncheon in Maltby. The latter was so dishevelled we did not even stop the car and continued on to the next town, Tickhill. And so glad we did so. Seeing a pub-sign ahead I advised my driver to pull in. There is ample parking to the rear of the pub cum tapas restaurant, El Classico. The name is Spanglish for the classic/el clásico.

[Image descriptions: left, drinks menu; right, tapas menu]

Inside are nooks & crannies, as in most traditional English pubs, but here filled with assorted dining furniture. However, after walking past the grand mock-Tudor bar, one enters a wide dining-hall prepared for large to intimate dining parties (see top image).

Our young waiter was immaculately attired in black shirt & slacks, Spanish waiter style, but soon gave the game away with his broad brogue that he was a local Yorkshireman. At all times throughout our meal, he was attentive, professional and personable. A genuine credit to the restaurant. The youngster explained how the eat-as-much-as-you-want system worked all for a fixed price. Drinks cost extra.

[Image descriptions: our first selection of tapas with beers]

Many of the tapas were comparatively small, more like the portion size of those served gratis in Spanish bars with one's drinks. However, the advantage is that one has space to sample other dishes - or more of the same if one so wishes.

Here I should note that the chef was more than happy to prepare dishes without garlic - to which I am seriously allergic. This is exactly what I find in Spain, where in some fourteen/fifteen years of visits, I have not once had an allergic reaction in eateries. Being a huge fish fan, I was absolutely delighted that chef was able to cook several fish dishes for me. All the delicious food served to my companion and myself was totally authentic, despite no actual Hispanics toiling in the kitchen. The tapas served are not haute cuisine - as found in many a Barcelona tapería, but the kind of healthy & tasty tapas found throughout Iberia.

I cannot say whether there is a disabled-accessible w.c., as on this occasion I was mobile and able to use the ordinary gents toilet. This was scrupulously clean and very spacious.

We intend to revisit El Classico, as it is in a good location, a sort of half-way house between chums, so friends can meet us there. Oh yummy!

Grey Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Georgian Elegance. Sophisticated Shopping. Fine Dining.

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[Image description: the honey-coloured stone façades; © & courtesy FreeFoto]

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Grey Street street gently curves down-/up-wards, so even mobility-impaired me can hobble down/up it. Every time I have done so it has been a day not unlike the photograph: blue sky, wispy clouds and a chill in the air or a cool breeze. I always feel at some point in my descent/ascent that I am in some Georgian or Regency novel. This is not an area for discount stores or bargain-hunters, one has to pay for the high-end clothing or haute cuisine.

Worth strolling along even if one's purse does not permit any spending here. Maybe even daydream being in an Austen or Brontë novel. ;)

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The Garrison, Castletown, IOM: Review

We managed, despite deflection from the managers of our accommodation, to secure a table on New Year’s Eve at The Garrison restaurant. Mind, the slot was for very early doors! We were the first customers of the evening. However, this actually suited our plans as we had arranged to meet chums in The Union pub for the end-of-year celebrations.

As can be seen from the photographs below, the furnishings and décor are fairly austere; but the ambience was welcoming and warm (as was the temperature). Our hostess, the proprietrix, dressed all glam and with newly coiffed hair-do, did everything she could to ensure a good time was to be had. The food did not fail to impress either.

To start we ordered a round of apéritifs and a dish of toasted almonds liberally tossed in sea-salt and black pepper. They were so moreish that I forgot to take a snap until they were all but gone!

We decided - after personal recommendation from the restaurateuse - upon a Rioja from Arjona, 2012, to accompany our various selections. It transpired that this went well with our shared starters such as the deep-fried octopus (below).

The delicious wine also partnered well our various main courses (entrées): pasta dishes; Tex-Mex; and, my rather succulent (if slightly chewy - but that’s the luck of the draw with rib-eye!) steak. The lesson I learned from this is not to order rib-eye “bleu”; sirloin and fillet, no problem; but the veins of fat in rib-eye need a tad more cooking or the steak needs to be tenderised.

A bottle of Castell d’Olerdola was delivered in an ice-bucket to accompany desserts, cheese and our toasts. It is is a fruity pink fizz that is sure to go down well at any party; it assuredly assisted our festive mood!

Actually, no-one wanted dessert as my companions felt so full after starters and mains. Naturally, this cheese-lover had to have his fix, so requested the cheese platter, nothing of which remained barring a few crumbs and the grape stalk (see below).

The alimentation served at The Garrison is certainly not haute cuisine; but of its type, it is well sourced, well cooked, well prepared, well presented, and tasty. Prices are reasonable and appropriate for the standard and quality.

[Image description: the menu with prices]

Just do not order the coffee - it tastes of dish-water; the only comestible to be avoided! (It is possible someone omitted to rinse the coffee cups after washing!)

Nonetheless, I certainly recommend The Garrison restaurant and hope to dine there again in the not-too-distant future.