Very simply, tapas are little tasty morsels of food to be devoured with a cold drink. In Spain they are a way of life. In any village, town or city in Spain, if you see the locals gathering around long bars before their dinner, you can be pretty sure it is because of the quality of tapas. The origin of Tapas is hotly debated! The word comes from the verb Tapar, meaning “to cover”. There are three main theories:
1) One theory is that Castilian King Alfonso X was a bit keen on his food and drink, so his personal cooks served him up very small portions to keep his weight down, but also to soak up the alcohol!!
2) However the Andalucians laugh at this theory. In their minds tapas originated in the sunny south, by covering their glass of sherry with a piece of bread, cheese or Jamon to keep the flies out!
3) The Moors also lay a claim as it has always been customary in their hospitality to serve lots of tiny dishes as a sign of refinement.
However Tapas originated, it has evolved so much that today you can go into a bar and receive anything from a slice of basic cheese or ham, to a Michelin starred array of culinary delights. Every Tapas bar has its own style and specialities, and no ingredient is off limits, Spanish or not!
Here at Bar 44, our Tapas is served at the table or the bar, the eating experience is intended to be sociable and relaxing. We focus heavily on high quality Spanish and Welsh produce on our menu. We recommend between 4 and 6 dishes per couple wanting to be filled up, or just one if you fancy a nibble with your drink. Our menu style is a mix of classic Spanish dishes and more contemporary Tapas. We endeavour to source many of our ingredients from independent artisan Spanish producers, and mix them with the best of local produce. Many are organic and free range. If you would like any information about any of our dishes or ingredients, please do not hesitate to ask.
Should you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, please let a member of staff know; we prepare all food on site everyday and are able to accommodate most requests.
Para Picar - something to pick at!
Giant marinated Gordal Olives £3.00
Salted Marcona Almonds £2.75
Caramelised Almonds £2.75
Selection of bar nuts £2.00
Sea Salt and Black Pepper Crisps £1.00
Nachos with melted Cheese, Salsa,
Soured Cream and Guacamole £5.25
Bar 44 Chips with Alioli £2.50
Vegetarian Tapas
Mixed Leaf and Herb Salad £2.50
Tortilla with slow cooked Onions and Potato £3.50
Crispy Potatoes with Chilli and Garlic,
Bravas sauce served on the side £3.00
Fresh roasted Beetroot with Red Onions £3.50
Sweet Potato, Leek and Coriander Cakes £3.75
Pan-fried Chestnut Mushrooms with Garlic and Herbs £4.50
Catalan Spinach with Raisins and Pinenuts £3.95
Baked Welsh Brie with crusty French Bread £4.50
Aubergine and Tomato Empanadillas £3.95
Fish Tapas
White Wine and Olive Oil cured Anchovies £4.25
Fresh crispy Squid with Sea Salt and Alioli £4.25
Smoked Salmon Tostados with Horseradish £4.25
Smoked Mackeral and Herb Potato Cakes £4.25
Spanish Beer battered Hake “Rebozado” £4.95
Piquillo Peppers stuffed with fresh Crab £4.95
Tiger Prawns (shell on) with Garlic, Chilli,
Lemon and Olive Oil £5.95
Calasparra Rice with roasted Monkfish £5.95
Pan-fried fresh Cockles with Garlic, Herbs
and Fino Sherry £4.95
Meat Tapas
Dates wrapped in crispy Bacon £2.75
Breaded Serrano Ham Croquettes £3.95
Chorizo cooked in Cider £3.95
Minted Lamb Meatballs in a rich Tomato Sauce £3.95
Crumbled smoked Black Pudding with
a fried free range Egg and baked Croutons £3.95
Slow-roast Pork Belly with spiced Apple Puree £4.95
Pan-fried Chicken with Honey, Mustard and Soy £4.95
Creamy Chicken Livers with smoked Bacon,
Red Onion and Sherry £4.50
Char-grilled Garlic and Mint marinated Lamb
with Butternut Squash £4.95
Slow cooked Beef in Red Wine, Peppers
and White Beans £4.75
Bread
Country Breads with Alioli £2.00
Country Breads with Spanish Extra Virgin
Olive Oil and PX Balsamic Vinegar £2.95
Toasted French Bread rubbed with
Tomato, Garlic and Sea Salt £3.00
Spanish Cold Meats
Chorizo Iberico £3.95
From acorn fed Iberico pigs
Salchichon De Ciervo £4.40
Deer slicing salami
Morcon Iberico £4.75
A larger and sweeter version of chorizo, from the shoulder
Lomo Cabecero £3.95
Cured top end pork loin
Jamon de Teruel D.O £6.50
Hand carved, 18 month cured Serrano ham
Sobrasada £3.75
Mallorcan chorizo for spreading
A selection of all of the above £11
Spanish and Welsh Cheeses
Manchego 6 mnth Sheeps milk £3.75
Manchego 12 mnth Sheeps milk £4.50
Welsh Brie Cows milk £4.50
Mature Mahon Cows milk from Menorca £3.95
Monte Enebro Goats’ Cheese from Avila £4.75
Picos Tangy blue from Castilla-Leon £4.25
A selection of all of the above £8
All cheeses are served with an appropriate accompaniment such as Spanish Quince Jelly, bittersweet Figs, Prune and Walnut Wheel plus Crackers and toasted Bread
Home-made Desserts and Sweet things!
Santiago Almond Tart £4.95
Spanish Calasparra Rice Pudding £4.25
Chocolate Brownie £2.50
Carrot Cake £1.95
Raspberry and Hazelnut Meringue £4.95
Cheesecake of the day – please ask for flavour! £4.25
Caramel and Chocolate Shortbread £1.25
Almond Slice £1.25
Local Vanilla Ice-Cream (Per scoop) £1.50
Please note:
All our cured meats, cheese, cured fish, pulses, almonds, peppers, oils and vinegars are sourced from the best independent producers in Spain. Almost all of which sill use artisan/farmhouse/organic methods to produce their food. All other ingredients are sourced from local suppliers, many of which are organic.