La Vina - Tring

La Vina nestles in Tring, at first sight a rather unexpected find amidst the culinary delights of that barely concealed commuter community, which must offer a wonderful setting to those who have shaken off the aged dust of London and come home looking for some enjoyment that will expand the mind and feed body and soul.

For La Vina is all about Spain, an authentic Spanish wine bar and restaurant where inhibitions tend to be left on the doorstep, and eating and drink with a difference are regarded as worthy pursuits in themselves. However, for those who find themselves in Tring, whatever the reason, at lunch time, there is a cracking good value lunch consisting of three tapas for under £10. Given the size, complexity and quality of their tapas this is an offer that should not be refused.

The wooden bar area is rich with the names and reminders of Spain, and Spanish wines, sometimes underrated in the past now command respect and indeed, admiration. Perhaps this may have something to with the fact that a steadily increasing sector of the population seem to be either spending their holidays in the country, or have quite simply packed their bags and decided to stay there - for good.
Further comment might be divisive, so let's take a look at the menu and stretch our minds beyond the drink.

The customary opening round includes mixed olives fresh bread, garlic bread and sun-dried tomato bread, something which the Spanish do extremely well. Charcuterie reveals wonderful local Manchego cheese, the flavour of which is in a class of its own, Serrano ham and white anchovies marinated in garlic olive oil. It is not infrequently said that Spaniards own their good health to olive oil, so combine it with garlic and you must be on to a winner.

Three types of tapas, meat, fish and vegetable, yield such nuggets as whole sardines grilled with lemons, chorizo sausage cooked in red wine, pork ribs with onions, mixed peppers, tomatoes and white wine or, if you must, a Spanish sauté of fresh vegetables with tomato, garlic and herbs.

I would feel much more comfortable with the grilled lamb chops, served in rosemary butter sauce, with potatoes, or crisp pork belly with a Rioja wine and mushroom sauce. Skewered meat, chicken, fish and vegetables are cooked on the plancha and served with either a side salad or patatas bravas.

No Spanish menu could survive with its paella, and the customary main ingredients can be found here, though many would support the notion that paella exists largely to serve as a vehicle for the fruits of the sea, such as prawns, langoustines, mussels and squid.

Having banged on about the wines of Spain I can only say that the selection here is just brilliant. Every month they have a Wine of the Month, which could be a tinto fino, Marques de Valparaiso Reserva of 1999, with the price on the menu of £27.45, no mean bargain. There are many more of similar ilk, with the odd high flier to satisfy the needs of a special occasion.

Their Website will tell you much, much more.