La Tasca

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £16.50 (lunch)
   £16.50 (evening meal)
• House wine: £11.95 per bottle

• High point: 'Tapas for a tenner' really is a bargain
• Low point: The chain restaurant polish might be just too predictable for some
• Food served: Mon–Sat noon–11pm
• Open since: 2002
• Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
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These might be two branches of a nationwide chain, but don't let that put you off. Both of Edinburgh's La Tascas do just enough to convince you of their Spanish pedigree, although the food they serve is perhaps no more than your average Brit abroad on the Costa Del Sol might be aware of. Broadly speaking, that means tapas and paella – though with a wait of 45 minutes for the latter you might need a bit of time on your hands fully to appreciate it. Far more enticing to those in a hurry will be the various permutations of tapas available. The main menu is well stocked with various forms of seafood, chicken, 'charcuteria', salads and vegetarian options – all entirely palatable, although not exactly flashy – while a series of midweek special offers is worth watching for. The rapido menu (Monday to Thursday, until 5pm) offers three set-menu tapas and a drink, adding up to a decent-sized snack, while 'tapas for a tenner' (Sunday to Thursday, from 5pm) lets you graze away at a selected range to your stomach's content. Although the Charlotte Street branch benefits simply by not being in the Omni Centre, each restaurant offers good service in pleasant surroundings.