Escala Tapas

You don’t need to hit the city for quality tapas when Escala, in the coastal setting of Clevedon’s beach and pier, delivers an authentic experience by the bucketload.

The one-AA-rosette restaurant offers laid-back small plates from a kitchen headed up by chef Josh Orman.

The menu is switched up multiple times each week, reflecting the team’s ethos of crafting dishes that are ultra seasonal. Quality is paramount, as revealed in the provenance of the top-notch produce surfing its way onto the menu. Expect speciality ingredients imported from Spain (including a whopping selection of wines) and fish that’s been freshly landed on South West shores.

Start with the satisfying crunch and smooth interior of sweet potato, red pepper and goat’s cheese croquettes. In this setting, it would be criminal not to move on to seafood plates, so try the pescado: whole-baked megrim sole with grilled lemon and mojo verde. Or there’s the equally lip-smacking gambas pil pil of whole Atlantic prawns in chilli and garlic.

Meat dishes are just as memorable, with the likes of smoke-cured pork belly and pickled green chilli showcasing the kitchen’s flair for fermentation and flavour.

Owners Dom and Alex Lamy also own Vintage & Vine just a few minutes away. The bottle shop, bar and small plates venue is a cracking spot for a pre-dinner tipple.

Trencherman’s tip

It’s impossible to ignore the attractive bottles, tins and jars of speciality ingredients lining the shelves. Purchase them at the restaurant to recreate the authentic Spanish experience at home.