Tapa! Tapa!

If you're heading for the London motorshow this week or are planning to attend any other event at the London ExCel centre in the docklands, you might find that you're not really spoilt for choice when you're looking for a decent bite to eat. The numerous stalls outside the venue can appeal only after a boozy night on the town and are probably not a good idea unless you're planning to pull a sickie courtesy of food poisoning the following day... the kiosks inside are the usual suspects with a wide selection of sandwich bars, baked potato stalls, coffee bars etc, but let's be honest, after 3 hours or more of car shopping you've really deserved to have some proper food, and sitting down!
So head for Tapa!Tapa!, located on the first floor on one of the extremities of the building (unfortunately I don't recall whether it's the East or West end, but you can't miss it. It must be fairly new as well as it is not even mentioned on the official Excel website, but definitely a more than welcome addition.
The staff seem to be exclusively Spanish (always a good sign in a Tapas bar) and although the menu itself reminded me of some cheap steak chains (thin cardboard with a waxy matte finish in a harmonica fold), the tapas selection is definitely the traditional fare. You'll find a good selection of nibbles to start with (their aioli with the bread is particularly scumptuous if a little on the small side), followed by a good variety of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
The tortilla española was a bit disappointing: with the potatoes pre-cooked and then baked in the oven rather than the pan it tasted a bit bland. The grilled prawns had unfortunately been pre-cooked before grilling, but the rest of the dishes were all more convincing. Aubergine slices topped with tomato and melted cheese where refreshing and retained their crunch, grilled chicken skewers with sweet peppers and onion were the right side of charred without being overdone and my favourite where roast piquillo peppers stuffed with melted cheese, served in a rich and creamy tomato sauce.
Fine dining it ain't, but that's not what we came for. With speedy and extremely friendly service and a bill that came to no more than £30 for three people incl tip, it's definitely worth discarding your soggy sandwich for and giving your feet a rest in a pleasant mediterranean atmosphere.

Tapa Tapa
Excel London
Royal Victoria Docks
London
E16 1XL
020 7069 4181
Show Days open 9am - 7pm
(another branch is located in the Whiteleys shopping centre)

Comments

[Andrew]

You should try these places after the Wine Fair - after a long, long, long day wine tasting ANYTHING vaguely food related is welcome! (ignoring the soggy sanies though)

[Jeanne]

Oh, we'll definitely be trying this out on Saturday when we go! I rememebr the food being so depressing at the Boat Show that we actualyl went home to eat, rather than waste our money, but this sounds like a fab idea. Thanks for the tip!