You can't go wrong :) I used to eat here regularly, pre-CoViD, and have always loved the food, wines, staff and ambiance. This was my first visit in years ...
I was very pleased to see that the company, menu, execution, service and ambience have all survived the ravages of COVID lockdown - although the front of house staff have pretty much all changed (my best wishes to my old friends, wherever you are!). I notice they are hiring for a CdC - I hope that goes well; meantime, the kitchen seemed to be delivering perfectly for my visit!
Although I'm not sure they mention it anywhere, the menu, though diverse, has an Asturian bent; the executive chef is Asturian, and well accoladed - Sr. Marcos Morán. The building is ideal (from the diners' perspective) - high-ceiling, spacious, cool stone decor - and the ambiance perfect - just as I remembered it.
The food is gorgeous and authentic - I found nothing to question here. Pimientos de Padrón, unusually for the UK - both in my experience, and that of a Gallician friend - included a representative number of picante examples; from one plate, I had two moderately hot and one real scorcher - as hot as I ever recall having. Everything from here-on-down, I think, is Asturian in origin, style or variance (or maybe regionally undifferentiated for the croquettas?) Sr. Móran's (Casa Gerardo, q.v.) bocadillos crujientes de quesos - very light filo pastry sandwiches of slightly sweet creamed cheeses - I think, best interleaved with other dishes, but also a great relevé or finalé - were exactly as I recall; this is not a belly-filler, but a dainty palate-pleaser. Hmm... they may pair well with a Manzanilla as an aperativo. Croquetas de setas - inch-cubed fried cubes of wild-mushroom-béchamel awesomeness, in a fragile crust, are both delightful, and filling. The calamares were about as good as I've found in the UK - I am very picky with this simple dish, but I would still come back here for them.
There too are cold tapas and main dishes - and I don't recall ever trying anything here that didn't impress. There are a number of vegetarian-friendly dishes - but this is not primarily vegetarian cuisine. I'm not sure how much is vegan-friendly, but I imagine the kitchen is used to accommodating most needs.
One word of caution; I found my selection marginally on the salty side by the time I was done - this is exactly as I would expect it, from an authenticity perspective - I ate only tapas, and plenty of it; if you tend to steer clear of salt, talk to your waiter first before digging into a whole table of tapas (in any restaurant!).
The rice pudding (arroz con leche) was perfect - not overly-sweet in the body, with the correct smooth texture and hydration, and a beautiful creme-brulée-style caramel cap.
This house has fantastic wines at decent prices; if you know what you want, you won't be disappointed; if not, ask for advice, and ... you still won't be disappointed. The classic Bodegas Muga special reserve Rioja by the glass was more than satisfying for me, today, and a beautiful G.B. Palo Cortado was the perfect foil to the rice pudding. Unlike most bars and restaurants, Hispania has a well chosen range of sherries - for starters, mains and desserts.
This is not a cheap restaurant, but neither is it expensive for what it is nor for it's location. I trust you will enjoy it as much as I do!
In case they read this - for last night, my thanks to the front-of-house staff, notably Sres. Luis, Tony, who were appropriately friendly, professional, informative, and attentive (notwithstanding my late arrival, pre-whetted whistle, and my occasional non-deliberate confused attempts to speak some mix of Castilian and South-American Spanish, with maybe some Galego and Italian thrown in for good measure, I suspect!). And my thanks - and apologies for presenting unannounced barely before end-of-service - to the kitchen!
I look forward to seeing you again!
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