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Part of the three-tiered tapas empire on the corner of Old Brompton Road, Tendido Cero is the mid-market companion to Capote y Toros’s informal sherry and tapas bar and the fancier Cambio de Tercio across the road. This venue distinguishes itself by having the formality of white tablecloths and good Spanish service, yet a more relaxed and innovative menu that also remains faithful to the old favourites. Bright pink and sandy coloured decor – bordered in fine weather by the open frontage and tables on the pavement – imbues the restaurant with a genuine Mediterranean feel.
Chorizo in northern Spanish cider, and prawns in garlic butter were both classics done very well; the prawns especially had a soft infusion of garlic flavours through a rich butter sauce, which turned a simple crustacean into something sublime. Asturian fabada was lighter than the traditional recipe, but the waiter explained that the kitchen has tailored the dish to the tastes of its west London market over the years. The epic wine list is inspiring and intimidating in equal measure; organised by region, it opens with a map of the Iberian peninsula to help you navigate it.