Walk into the cosy space and be welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff and pull up a pew in the tiny-yet-elegant space. Clad in exposed brick, Islamic style tiles and a long bar, family-owned La Boca harks back to one of the no-fuss tapas bars in on every Spanish street-corner.
You are encouraged to pop in for a drink and a bit of tapas on the side, a spot of lunch or even to stock up on goodies to take home.
As for the food, well let’s just say we don’t know where to begin. The pintox sell out faster than you could say ‘Andalusia’ and consist of delectable concoctions of pea, mint and serrano ham, morcilla, peppers and goats cheese and Manchego and olives aloft little slices of bread. Honestly, a drink at La Boca is incomplete without one of these little buggers.
If cured meat is your thing, then La Boca is the place to be. Iberico chorizo, Gran Reserva serrano ham are some of the options and the glistening ruby colour and the creamy white fat show us that this stuff is the real deal.
The tapas menu is as if it has been lifted straight from the streets of Madrid. Expect smoked sardines with tomato, parsley & rose wine vinegar, Chickpeas morcilla & spinach, slow cooked for 8 hours and some of the juiciest olives I have ever tasted to name but a few.
Wash all this down with some fine Spanish wines, Cerveza on tap and a load of delicious spirits and mixers.
La Boca co-owners Donna Robinson and James Ferdinales said:
“We love the community vibe of the Northern Quarter, and especially the diverse mix of people. It was important for us to open in a community as we really want to offer great charcuterie and cheese for our neighbours to take home as well as enjoy in our cosy space.”
Donna continues:
“We work closely with suppliers that focus on importing from small Artisan producers of cheese and charcuterie across Spain but in the main Asturias and Andalucia. This partnership helps to keep small producers in business and the traditions of Spain alive. We do, as much as possible source locally though also as this is the very essence of Spanish culture. We buy craft beer from local breweries such as Blackjack, Shindigger and Runaway. Our coffee is from Ancoats Coffee, our sourdough is from Trove and our house gin is Three Rivers Manchester gin. “
The food is on point at La Boca, and it is perfectly designed for having a nibble with a few drinks on the weekend or after work with your nearest and dearest. There is no need to book, and its ok also to hang out at the bar just to have a drink with some kikos or roasted Valencian almonds.
The passion from the owners exudes from every pore of the place, and all you have to do is pop-in for a drink to see what I mean.
La Boca, 14 Turner Street, Northern Quarter Manchester M4 1DZ
labocaham.co.uk
