Spanish-born chef and larger-than-life personality, Omar Allibhoy is bringing the Tapas Revolution to Grand Central Birmingham this September. Dubbed the ‘Antonio Banderas of cooking’ by Gordon Ramsey, he’s a man on a mission to bring the joy of authentic tapas food to the UK.
Premium shopping and dining destination, Grand Central will be the next venue for Omar’s fourth, all-day, contemporary tapas bar concept – offering dishes cooked with the finest ingredients sourced from small artisan producers in Spain, all freshly prepared.
The menu takes inspiration from the young chef’s family recipes and the culinary culture of his hometown, Madrid. Featuring a copper-topped bar, open kitchen and marble tables, the new Birmingham tapas bar wouldn’t look out of place in the busy streets of Spain. Omar says: “tapas is more than food, it’s part of everyday culture: food and life are always best shared”.
Tapas Revolution in Grand Central is my version of the lively and bustling tapas bars back home. Birmingham has a great food scene and is increasingly becoming a destination city – for tourists and for businesses – and it’s gaining a really positive reputation. I wanted to get involved in the buzz happening here and bring a real taste of Spain to the city centre.
Open all day, the menu guides you through Spain from morning to dinner.
A full breakfast menu offers a wide selection of cooked dishes as well as cakes and pastries, Spanish style coffees and delicious Valencian orange freshly squeezed juice.
People working around the area and shoppers alike will be pleased to know that £7.95 will get them a generous plate of Omar’s famous paellas, or one of the Spanish Burgers London is raving about with a drink included (glass of wine, beer or soft drink).
Post-siesta kicks off with Sangria time, with jugs of Omar’s version of Spain’s most famous drink available half price between 5 and 7pm.
The full tapas menu is divided into fish, meat and vegetable sections complemented with the best Spain has to offer in terms of charcuterie and their famous Jamon Iberico, hand carved to order by a skilled maestro jamonero. Expect all the classics cooked to perfection such as tortilla, croquetas de jamon, calamares or chorizo cooked in Asturian cider.
Spanish sandwiches (bocadillos) and coffees will be available for take away, with fantastic freshly made churros being prepared to order and fried in specialist “Churreria” equipment imported directly from Spain. Omar says “I believe our Spanish doughnuts tossed in cinnamon and sugar served with hot thick dipping chocolate will revolutionise the sweet treats scene in Birmingham!”
The bar will be full of great choices. Estrella de Galicia beer on tap and a craft beers menu from every corner of Spain, including one brewed with honey and Mediterranean sea water.
For those who don’t know, Spain is the biggest consumer of Gin and Tonics in Europe, and at Tapas Revolution guests will be able to taste the only exclusive Spanish Gins menu in the country that will delight even the most epicurean of guests (most likely the Spaniards themselves).
Wine from all regions of the Iberian peninsula, is served by the bottle, glass or porrón – a traditionally designed Spanish wine glass pitcher with a long spout – used to bring extra air into each sip.
The new Tapas Revolution in Grand Central, Birmingham opens in September 2015. Opening hours will be Monday – Saturday, 09:00-20:00 and Sunday, 11:00-17:00. Prices start from £3.75.
www.tapasrevolution.com