Tinto Tapas Bar

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

With the Victoria Infirmary and Langside College providing something of a captive audience, Battlefield Road sustains a fair range of food outlets and, since 2007, Tinto has been adding a little Iberian flavour to the line-up. In contrast with some other tapas places, here the printed menu is relatively short and much of the interest is to be found on a blackboard of seasonal specials, including some excellent fish dishes – crisp-skinned fillet of sea bass on a bed of creamed leeks being a good (if slightly pricey) example. The usual suspects of Spanish omelette, chorizo in red wine, black pudding and the like are good (and priced at a more usual £3 or so), while there's a decent choice of dishes without meat. Served in little earthenware cazuelas, the tapas are not large, although a deal of three for £6 at weekday lunchtimes is good value. As for heartier platefuls, there are four different paellas on offer including a vegetarian version, and specials are normally available in tapa or larger ración sizes. Décor aims for the casual feel of a neighbourhood Spanish bar – and one authentic feature is that Tinto does not yet accept credit cards (at least as of early 2008).

• High point: Good quality fish specials
• Low point: Small portions

The LIST Card F32

Tinto Tapas Bar

The Tinto Tapas Bar is run by Proprietor Gordon Craig along with his staff of young (but experienced) waiters.

It is the only authentic Spanish Tapas Bar in the area with a seating capacity of 50. It offers an extensive range of dishes which when accompanied with a glass or better still a bottle of wine, of which they also offer a good selection, makes for a really enjoyable meal. It has been visited over the past few months by Joanna Bythman of the Sunday Herald, Alan Brown, Sunday Times and Ron McKenna, Saturday Herald all of whom gave it a an excellent review saying it was lively, authentic and well worth a visit.

It is ideally situated on the Battlefield Road, Shawlands with the bus route outside the door and Langside Station within walking distance. As it is close to Hampden Park it is ideal for a pre Concert/Match meal. It becomes very busy when a venue is on and it is advisable to book to save disappointment.

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