Sheffield does tapas

So no matter what food mood you are in, there is bound to be something to satisfy your appetite.

Situated slap in the centre of the city, the square is handy for resting those weary feet after a day’s shopping, meeting friends for evening drinks or grabbing a bite to eat before a play or concert.

That was the occasion when my partner Liam and I wandered into Platillos one recent Sunday teatime.

Platillos describes itself as being ‘all about little plates and big flavours’. The restaurant’s menu invites diners to ‘eat with abandon’, ‘lick your plate, eat with your fingers and play with your food’.

We didn’t fancy a stiff three course meal so this relaxed style of dining was going to suit us just fine.

Inside there is a good sized bar area on the ground floor, where drinks and food are served on comfy sofas and tables.

And upstairs is the restaurant. Climbing the staircase I was surprised to emerge into such a sizeable open plan dining room.

It is a stylishly designed space with contemporary Italian inspired furniture, low lighting and a retro feel.

We were greeted by a friendly waiter who asked where we would like to sit - it was quiet so we could take our pick of tables.

Glancing down at the extensive menu printed on our paper table mats I was initially daunted by the vast choice on offer.

But then it dawned on me - this was a tapas menu. I could pick and choose as many little dishes as I wanted.

Liam and I set about circling our choices using a handy little pencil provided by the waiter, while he fixed our drinks - elderflower and soda for me (£1.30), a pint of Amstel (£3.50) for him.

Reeling off our order onto the waiter’s notepad it felt as if we had maybe over done it. But when the plates arrived there was just enough for two.

The most impressive item arrived first - a meaty mezze platter brimming with chorizo picante, hot and spicy chicken wings, chorizo and manchego croquettes, houmous, roasted beetroot houmous, olives and homemade bread.

I went straight in for a slice of the chorizo - my favourite. And as I had hoped, it was a party in the mouth.

Laced with smokey paprika and oozing meaty oil, it was cooked to perfection and not too chewy.

More smaller plates arrived one by one, each bearing a different savoury treat, until the whole table was covered.

We had:

• Rice-stuffed vine leaves with a smoky paprika yoghurt.

• Marinated black tiger prawns sauteed in red chilli and garlic with (more) homemade bread.

• Griddles salad with garlic, courgette, aubergine, cherry tomatoes and rocket with a lemon and olive oil dressing.

• Spanish omlette cooked with garlic, potato, spinach and red pepper, and...

• Patatas Bravas served with spicy tomato sauce.

Apart from a disappointingly measly portion of Spanish omlette, all the plates contained just enough for two.

And we had chosen a good mix of meaty treats, tasty vegetables and classic staples like the fried potatoes.

We grazed and grazed to our hearts’ content feeling ever so European and looking forward to our evening ahead at the theatre.

And because of Platillos is so close to Sheffield’s main venues, we didn’t need to worry too much about time.

Our destination, the City hall, was just around the corner.

Back to the food and Liam said he particularly enjoyed the vine leaf parcels smothered in tangy yoghurty dip.

And the tiger prawns, although messy to peel, were fresh and creamy tasting with a zing of chilli afterwards.

No detail was spared, even down to the refreshing finger bowl placed in front of us to rinse our greasy mitts in.

In the name of a balanced restaurant review, and considering we had plenty of time, it was only right we should sample dessert.

I went for a trio of ice cream in unusual flavours - banana and ginger, lemon meringue and rhubarb ripple. It was divine, if a slightly chilly choice for a winter’s night.

And Liam chose ‘churros’, a stringy shaped Spanish doughnut served with a dark chocolate sauce.

The bill came to a very reasonable £41.50. We paid, tipped and left. But not before pausing to watch a salsa class that was in full swing in the downstairs bar.

Platillos really is a taste of the Mediterranean on a Sunday night.

by Hayley Gallimore