Zara, The Tapas Bar, for the hot-blooded

“Italian?”
“So yesterday.”
“Chinese?”
“Puhleeze!”
“Spanish?”
Now we were talking! And so we headed off to Zara, the boyfriend and I. The moment we entered the newest restaurant on the block, the swirly, tilting columns, the signature Gaudi-style mosaic, the posters of flamenco dancers and bull-fighters and the Latino music transported us to the gorgeous, passionate land of Espana.

At the bar, my boyfriend faced a genuine dilemma. They stocked both his favourite single malts, Laphroaig and Talisker. While he dithered, I settled for a sinful strawberry mocktail. It felt like kilos of fresh strawberries had been crushed just for me, swirled with mint and something mysterious, and served in a pretty glass.

With the boyfriend still unable to make up his mind, I decided to sample some of the tapas, Spanish finger-food. First, we picked our way through the mushrooms in red wine and garlic. Then, morsels of spicy chicken sausages, followed by bite-sized cheese fritters.

Bull-y for the diet, I thought, and I ordered a pan-sauted fish with a lemon-butter sauce. Delish, with a piquant tang to it. And the boyfriend, glass of single malt finally put away, chose the grilled chicken with a spectacular, creamy mushroom sauce, laced with pepper.

We finished with a moist crepe, stuffed with chocolate and finely minced nuts. Superb. On the next visit, though, I’m determined to try the Key Lime pie, concocted with condensed milk and lemon juice.

The experience didn’t end with the meal though. We’ve signed up for flamenco classes. And we’re planning a honeymoon in Spain. We’re dancing the talk.

Zara, The Tapas Bar. New no 1 Ulsoor Road, Bangalore 9. Tel: 42066100. Website: www.orientalgroup.in. Meal for two without alcohol: Rs 1,100.