Flores

It seems as if tapas are the in-food of the moment, having spread from the original Spanish concept to encompass other cuisines as well, but why not, choice is everything when you are eating out, and smaller portions mean that you can enjoy far more variety?

Flores is one of the more recent additions to the vibrant eating out scene in Leicester, and Executive Chef Jonny Bingham has brought his wealth of experience to bear by creating a tapas style menu, inspired by ingredients, flavours and textures from around the world.

This means that if you are looking for something light, you can chose just one small dish with a drink, or if you want to go the whole hog, join up with friends and select a whole mass of different ones, which you can wash down with a variety of tipples - ranging from beers from micro-breweries through to an eclectic mix of wines from independent vineyards from around the globe.

Choices are from a mass of different countries, and some even mix nationalities, like the Thai seafood paella, an intriguing sounding and inspired idea, while you could opt for the more traditional Chinese dim sum, such as pork and prawn dumplings with lemon and soy or chicken dumplings with wasabi, cashew nut and soy, you don't even have to watch your waistline as both are steamed.

Representatives from France include their cassoulet, made from slow cooked Toulouse sausage, lamb, selected beans, tomatoes and a herb crust, or fish soup, made in the authentic style, while India contributes a spiced lamb stew with chick peas, methi, ginger, coriander and chilli, and naturally the menu would not be complete without that tasty version of Italian fast food, bruschetta, toasted Italian bread rubbed with olive oil and garlic, topped either with creamed porcini mushrooms or tomato, basil, emmental, garlic and balsamic.

Apart from the fact that everything they serve is thoroughly tempting, all the prices are at the reasonable end of the scale, making a lunch or an evening out there an even more enjoyable experience.

Finally you need to take a glance at the puddings, even if you cannot contemplate actually ordering one, however, you might find it hard to resist their iced berries with dill and warm white chocolate sauce or roasted spiced pineapple with frozen fruit salsa and burnt ginger crumbs; you could wash those down with one of their dessert wines, sold by the glass, including Muscat Moelleux Arnaud de Villeneuve or the more unusual Hungarian Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos, Chateau de Sarospatak.