Tapas Barcelona – Spanish cuisine comes to Southampton
Tapas Barcelona is one of Southampton’s newest restaurants offering an entirely unique experience in the heart of Southampton’s developing Cultural Quarter.
It is a sociable venue, providing an authentic tapas experience influenced by Spanish speaking kitchens around the world. The freshly prepared food, including paella and the Spanish favourite Churros & Chocolate, is complemented by an impressive drinks selection, mixing wines, spirits and cocktails.
Located on Guildhall Square, the restaurant is spread over two levels with a large ground floor and intimate mezzanine bar for casual dining and drinks.
Anita Rowland, owner of Studio 64 Contract Interiors, worked on the design of the interior; “Working on such a large restaurant with its seven metre ceiling height was a challenge. The interior furniture needed to be scaled to match the restaurant’s proportions.”
Anita added: “When you walk through the large entrance doors you don’t feel like you are walking into somewhere new but somewhere which has been worn in and already established. Designing something new and contemporary comes naturally but creating a new space with the feel and atmosphere of an older, more traditional one brings many different challenges from sourcing the fabrics to manufacturing product to suit.”
The restaurant boasts three separate bars, all with a different look and feel to them. The main bar extends to over eleven metres wide and five metres high and is complimented by a large artisan display unit storing Spanish produce for the kitchen. It has a relaxed casual vibe with huge lengths of seating wrapped in antique leather and a soft worn wooden floor. The ‘Plaça De Gaudi’ dining area has stone effect walls and rustic tiled floor. Influenced by Gaudi Square in Barcelona, the arched entrance doors lead you to a alfresco dining experience created by an internal courtyard with balconies, shuttered windows and street lights. The upper lounge bar feels intimate with stone walls, large comfy sofas and snug seating; a perfect spot to relax and savour the regular live music.
Commenting on the bars, Anita said: “The main bar has a zinc top and aged handmade terracotta tiles, ‘Placa De Gaudi’ has a curved bar with a white marble granite top, curved bullnose edging and turquoise hand cut tiles. The first floor bar is made from aged timber and has a black granite top with soft gold veining.”
The huge building contains many different lighting sources, all chosen to provide a warm and relaxed atmosphere. A seven metre high illuminated column connects the ground floor to the upper lounge bar and ceiling. The same light source adorns the risers on the decorative iron staircase that accompanies you to the first floor. To compliment these, the upper lounge bar is fully illuminated and clad with warm ochre translucent panels and scrolled timber lattice work.
Tapas Barcelona opened on 10th December 2015 after work began in early 2015 and has been a hit with diners.
Anita added: “The Delicious Dining group, (which Tapas Barcelona is part of) is a valued and long established client. Being part of this exciting project was a privilege.”
HCE Foodservice Equipment
HCE Foodservice Equipment has been in business for 30 years and specialises in all aspects including design, equipment sales, project management, instillation, after sales service and planned preventative maintenance.
The company offers a complete and comprehensive package to their customers and recently worked with the Delicious Dining Group who owns the newly opened Tapas Barcelona in Southampton.
Work undertaken by HCE Foodservice Equipment included consultation with the client as well as the design, supply and installation of the catering facilities at the restaurant.
Previous clients of HCE Foodservice Equipment include The Savoy Hotel, Ascot Racecourse, The Bulgari Hotel and The Shangri La at The Shard. HCE Foodservice Equipment work on many projects including big and small projects and have more recently completed kitchens for AELTC at Wimbledon, the Tate Modern and the new BET365 headquarters.
Speaking about their involvement with Tapas Barcelona, Jon Greep, Managing Director of HCE Foodservice Equipment commented: “HCE previously worked with the Delicious Dining Group (owners of Tapas Barcelona) and it was important to us to maintain the great working relationship we have with them.
“As a company we pride ourselves in being able to deliver outstanding projects no matter what the size. We embrace new and old relationships with clients, suppliers and consultants and strive to continually nurture those relationships to ensure the best possible results every time.”
