Crofts Bank Road is home to a number of Urmston’s most popular independent food and drink establishments. A thriving street just a minute from the railway station, providing great links to the city centre and beyond, it’s here we find Los Vinos, a beloved tapas eatery that clearly buys into the mantra that a meal is only as good as the wine it comes with. Made with long, grazing, southern Mediterranean-style dining in mind, once through the door customers will find a mid-sized restaurant, some tables in more secluded wood-lined booths, with open brickwork interrupted by the occasional painted portrait. For example, the bull, which seems to preside over every service.
Platos — or plates — are a combination of real traditional Spanish good stuff and more contemporary takes, and it’s worth noting Los Vinos really does a great job at catering to vegetarians, which isn’t always the way with this cuisine. Starting there, options range from Houmous Y Pitta and Bruschetta, to Pasta Filo (filo pastry stuffed with spinach and goats cheese, then deep fried) and Champiñones Al la Crema (creamy mushrooms). Fruits of the sea, on the other hand, take the form of classics like chilli prawns (Gambas Pil Pil), sea bass fillet with salad (Lubina Alla Plancha), and mussels (Mejillones).
Meat eaters will be in their element, too, with pork belly in Spanish barbecue-style sauce (Pancetta de Cerdo), authentic Spanish meatballs (Albondigas), and creamy chicken (Pollo Cremoso) among the options. As you would hope, you can also opt for Las Paellas, with different variations to choose from — Mariscos (seafood, vegetables and saffron), De Pollo (chicken, chorizo and vegetables), Cordero (lamb and seasonal vegetables), and Vegetariana (vegetarian). Red, white and sparkling sangrias are a go-to-choice at the bar, although there are plenty of alternatives on the very well-curated list of Spanish wines, alongside beers and spirits.