Jodie Erica from the MKFM team was invited down to Ole Tapas Bar with her partner to try paella for the first time, here is her full review...
You may have heard of the very popular Spanish restaurant here in Milton Keynes, the multi-award-winning Ole Tapas Bar, I certainly have, and it's always been amazing feedback and recommendations that would leave anyone eager to visit.
Ole Tapas Bar is an independent family-owned business that has been taking Milton Keynes by storm for 4 years now. Owners Juan and Beatriz have introduced MK to the wonderful world of authentic Spanish cuisine and there is without a doubt, nowhere quite like this hidden gem.
Ole Tapas Bar is located in Wolverton Milton Keynes, it's a nice tucked-away area with an abundance of parking. When you are driving round you will spot the restaurant before you get to the car park, as we were arriving in the evening you could see the restaurant lit up and waiting.
The excitement really kicks in at this point!
I and my other half were greeted with such warmth and kindness, Jeanette was wonderful, she seated us and made sure we were comfortable.
We felt very lucky to have had our dishes cooked by one of the owners Juan who is also so welcoming and friendly.
When you are at Ole Tapas Bar, you are instantly made to feel at home, it's lovely.
The perfect place for a date night.
I love the feel and look of the restaurant, it's very modern and cosy, I love the lights that hang from the ceiling, it all looks beautiful and lit up when it's dark outside.
I really love the open kitchen as you can see and hear the food being cooked, it makes it even more of a unique dining experience.
I and my partner ordered sangria, I have never tried this before so I went for white as I feel red wine is too strong for me. I loved the refreshing taste and fizzy sensation of it, it's what I call a 'creeper', it tastes so good that you forget it's alcohol, which in turn can get you rather merry, rather quickly!
My other half loves Spanish cuisine, he thoroughly enjoyed his red sangria! We clinked our glasses together, a cheers to this fantastic date night opportunity.
Jeanette bought out some Ole favourites and bestsellers, starting this off was the Ole platter which looked overwhelmingly yummy! This platter consisted of suckling pig and mushroom croquettes, crispy chicken strips, chorizo lollipops, and Padron peppers, served with chorizo mayo.
The croquettes are heavenly, both types have a lovely crunchy breaded outer layer, then a hot and creamy inside. The mushroom croquette had a distinctive earthy mushroom flavour which was beautiful.
The chorizo lollipops are deep-fried chorizo chunks in tempura, served with aioli. These have such a great smoky and addictive taste, and also super fun to eat with them being on sticks.
The chicken breast strips were also hot and tender, they had the perfect crunch. The chorizo mayo is the perfect sauce addition to this platter, and you can use it for most other dishes too, it tastes that good.
We had the pleasure of trying a couple of other dishes before the main, we had patatas bravas, the daily special for that particular day which was a homemade Spanish salad, olives and freshly baked bread with homemade dips tumaca and aioli.
I left the olives to my other half as he is a bit olive-mad, I am not on the other hand. But the fresh bread and dips were unbelievable, aoili is officially a new favourite of mine.
Jeanette gave us some brilliant foodie tips! We got some bread, put some tumaca on first and then some aioli... WARNING - HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! hands down one of the best combos I have eaten to date. Thank you, Jeanette, we will be back for more!
The patatas bravas is known as Spain's favourite fries and I could taste exactly why, the fries are chunky with a hint of spice, served and covered in both tomato and aioli sauce. Absolutely delicious. I am a big potato lover, these were one of my favourite dishes.
The Spanish salad is a homemade recipe from Juan's mum, such an honour to try this and it was super tasty! I love a good potato salad, this was cold and herby and was the perfect side addition to the other dishes.
For the main meal tried the seafood paella, I have always wanted to try this as I am a seafood fanatic! My other half has always said how amazing paella was and he was also so happy to discover Ole Tapas Bar as he yet hadn't heard of it being here.
When the paella came out to the table we were taken aback at how beautiful, colourful and picturesque it looked. It looked fresh, hot and absolutely incredible. On top, you could see the tiger prawns, massive and juicy and they were exactly that. Also included in the paella was prawns, mussels, squid and piquillo peppers.
This was the ultimate meal, It was one to remember! The flavours, the rice, the different types of fish... it was hands down one of the best meals I have ever had and I told Juan personally.
All of the dishes at Ole Tapas Bar are so well presented and taste just as good as it looks, actually, as good as it looks, it tastes even better!
I and my other half had a wonderful time and are both so grateful, I am so happy to now say that I have tried these wonderful authentic Spanish dishes at the one and only Ole Tapas Bar.
I left the restaurant with the biggest food baby and slept like one too.
When dining in Ole Tapas Bar, you understand exactly why it is a multi-award-winning restaurant, and we are so lucky to have them right here on our doorsteps in Milton Keynes.
To book your table and experience it for yourself, click here.
