De Los Santos

LOCATION
A 15-minute walk from the city at the top end of Brunswick Street.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Head a little further south from the jumble of Johnston Street tapas bars to find this cosy little bar and Spanish eatery. De Los Santos has occupied this corner bluestone venue for many years now, but this warmly lit, intimate restaurant can always be relied on for terrific tapas, paella and a reasonably priced selection of Spanish wines and sherries. The bar or the stools in the front window are a great spot to perch with a glass of wine or one of their excellent mojitos and a few little dishes, while a larger space at the back accommodates those in for a more extended dining experience.

You can do very well with the tapas here, selecting several options to make up a meal of diverse tastes. While paella and other mains are on offer, these tempting small plates are the focus. The kitchen serves up traditional favourites such as chorizo, croquetas and albondigas with great aplomb, but it’s their florecer calabachines (chickpea tempura-battered zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, herbs and preserved lemon) that wins hearts. Team them with sardines baked with pine nuts, garlic and white wine, rosemary and cumin-marinated lamb ribs with lemon and yoghurt sauce, and vodka-cured salmon with anise, dill and orange. For a sweet finish try the rosquillas rellenas – custard-filled doughnuts with honey and walnut syrup and yoghurt ice-cream.

Angela Costanzo