Tapas ‘virgin’ ELIZABETH MACKLEY checks out Wootton Bassett’s new Spanish restaurant

SEARCHING for a taste of more southern climes to match the warmer weather on the horizon, maracas in hand a friend and I descended on Royal Wootton Bassett’s latest eatery.

Last month, the hotly anticipated Casa De Pico – Spanish for ‘House of Spike’ after the eponymous owner of the new bar, Anthony ‘Spike’ Pulsford – opened up on the High Street and began to shower the market town with Sangria.

The brainchild of proud owner Spike and restaurant manager Clare Butcher, the Hispanophilic duo were inspired to cook up the latest offering after the overwhelming success of Old Town rival, Los Gatos.

And what a rival.

Decked out in warm maroons and sunkissed golds and bronzes, the newly refurbished bar wriggled with hot-blooded punters packed out on rustic varnished benches, eager for an intimate world-away-from-home evening in the heart of their hometown as Becky and I walked in.

We were promptly perched on a bar in the traditional fashion, and after ordering ourselves an obligatory glass of the Bodegas Artesa, a fruity Rioja (£6.35) and Venta Morales (£5.95), a black cherry and chocolate-infused red, we perused the menu while tucking into the warm, crusty bread baked locally and dousing it with balsamic vinegar and olive oil (50p).

A Tapas virgin, to say we were spoilt for choice would be an understatement. With delights ranging from air-dried Serrano ham carved from the bone (£4.95) to king prawns in garlic and chilli (£4.95) and traditional dish patatas bravas (£3.75) and Spanish omelette (£3.50), we were hard pushed to select just a handful of dishes.

However, help was at hand, and soon enough searing platters of Chorizo Frito – chorizo poached in red wine and flambeed in brandy (£4.25) – and Albondigas en Salsa de Tomate – beef meatballs in tomato sauce (£4.75) – strode out of the kitchen, steaming with spicy aromas.

Mouths already watering, we tucked into the plates to find an explosion of spice and flavour as the carefully-crafted meats in sauce curled around our tongues.

Nothing went to waste, and we mopped up the rest of the sauces with our spare pieces of bread.

We also opted for the Surtido Iberico – a sharing platter of Serrano ham, chorizo, Serrano Reserva Salchichon, Lomo, Membrillo and Manchego cheese (£9.95 for two) – in our effort to taste everything traditionally Spanish that Casa De Pico’s two chefs, Sebastian and Ruben, could offer.

By far the favourite dish, however, was the Morcilla con Huevos y Espincas – Spanish black pudding with sauteed spinach, fried quails’ eggs and garlic (£5.50). Not a traditional fan of the delicacy made of blood and a variety of other ingredients, Becky was pleasantly surprised by the hearty taste and texture of the sausage, which was offset by the creamy yolks of the quails eggs. The spinach added an earthy undertone to the dish, and offset what could have otherwise been an overly rich plate.

Despite bursting with the rich flavours of our main meal, when we took a second glance at the menu we couldn’t resist the choice selection of deserts to round off the meal.

I opted for the melt-in-the-mouth Tarta de Whisky, a traditional Spanish cream cake with whisky on a biscuit base (£4.50), sweetly delicate and yet with a feisty twist.

Meanwhile Becky chose the Tarta de Chocolate (£3.95), a heavenly chocolate cheesecake, reminiscent of my childhood sweet favourite, Rolos.

During the summer Spike plans to open up the garden, bursting with its own aromas and colours with the flowers and fairy lights, and serve paella to al fresco guests.

Casa De Pico, 152a High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 7AB. Tel: 1793 850574 www.casadepicotapasbar.com Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11.30am to 11pm. Sunday, 11.30am to 10pm.