Culture Food & Travel Restaurant & bar reviews

The Tapas Revolution

The Tapas Revolution | Restaurant review

Once called the “Antonio Banderas of cooking” by Gordon Ramsay, Omar Allibhoy is the creator of Tapas Revolution offering tasters of Spain in the heart of London’s Westfield Shopping Centre with its sister-branch at Bluewater. This 27-year-old chef, with experience having been trained at the famous El Bulli restaurant by the legendary Ferran Adria, comes up as quite revolutionary in his actions by opening up his restaurant amidst the sterile, white-washed wonders of Westfield.

It seems to work here, perched on stools overlooking a counter, with views through hanging decor and displays of Spanish produce, evokes fast food fiesta style, serving up hot and cold tapas varieties. The menu offers dishes between £3-£7 each, reasonably priced, with a choice of Pescado (fish), Carne (meat), Vegetales (vegetables) with a Jamon Iberico, Charcuteria and Serrano section where ‘Iberico’ pigs are a unique breed that roam freely in the woodlands of Spain eating acorns and herbs. The meat is then cured for 36-months to develop its delicious flavour. 

And if that was not enough to get your mouth watering, over a Spanish beer and a milky almond flavoured traditional Horchata drink, we kicked off with a creamed, al dente seafood paella, delicate and perfectly seasoned. This paired with Chicken in Saffron (Pollo en Pepitoria) a spiced curry-like stew flecked with almonds and hints of cumin. The patatas bravas, a carb-staple of crisp potatoes sunken in rich tomato sauce and aioli could have you greedily debating on whether to order another portion.

The highlight was the Vegetables de Temporada con Manchego, pan-fried seasonal greens with triangular sliced Manchego cheese, flawlessly cooked marinated vegetables soaked in an olive oil dressing, which was only missing some bread to mop the plate clean. The Calamares en Salsa Americana, squid that is cooked in a lightly-spiced sauce with white wine, simple in flavours, was our least favourite dish. However this was redeemed by the curved shaped Churros con Chocolate, cinnamon dusted and crisp, with chocolate dipping sauce.

A favourable pit-stop for lunch while perusing the shops, after trying out the menu, it’s unavoidable to order ‘just one more.’ You may even just meet the chef himself, sitting next to you or asking how your lunch is, reminiscent of the comfort of eating at your friendly local. Well worth a visit.

Food: 16/20


Wine: 16/20


Service: 16/20

The Tapas Revolution: 48/60

Selina Periampillai

For further information and to look at the menu click here.

More in Food & Drinks

The Hummingbird Bakery unveils limited-edition Diwali collection

Food & Travel Desk

Novikov Mayfair launches weekly Blues Meets Funk & Soul live music nights for midweek guests

Food & Travel Desk

Madrid’s Los 33 to headline WildKitchen open fire supper club at Guy Ritchie’s Ashcombe Estate

Food & Travel Desk

Kokum partners with Hop Burns & Black for first natural wine supper club in East Dulwich

Food & Travel Desk

Robert Khaing brings Burmese-Thai flavours to Godet wine pub for September residency

Food & Travel Desk

F1 Arcade launches five-hour Happy Hour with 2-for-1 deals in London and Birmingham

Food & Travel Desk

Little Fires bar in Shoreditch to host mezcal tasting masterclass with Los Siete Misterios

Food & Travel Desk

Mat Blak returns to The Broadcaster for rooftop barbecue takeover with live-fire cooking and skyline views

Food & Travel Desk

Nancy Spain’s Monument to reopen after refurbishment with £2 Murphy’s pints and late-night hours

Food & Travel Desk