We were delighted to be awarded two AA rosettes after only one month. Well done to Ben, Jamie and the kitchen team!
  --- ---
Imagine tapas so good you want to hijack other people's orders. Welcome to the Opera Tavern, says Zoe Williams...
  --- ---
The brains behind two of London's most successful tapas joints have done up a pub in theatreland. Can they pull off a hat-trick? It used to be one of those London pubs that made you wonder why London was so bad at pubs. Now it is a bar-with-food downstairs and a restaurant-with-booking upstairs, run by the crew behind two of London's most successful new Spanish restaurants, Salt Yard and Dehesa.
  --- ---
"Covent Garden needs fewer tourist traps and chains, and more bars and restaurants of real character - such as the just-reopened Opera Tavern.The building's a grand old pub dating from 1879, recently given a major refit by the landlord, then tastefully decorated and furnished by the new tenants. It's low-lit, looks on-trend and is immediately appealing; it's partly inspired by the vibe and approach of places such Mario Batali's Bar Jamón in New York - but it's firmly rooted in London. It's also equally accomplished as a bar and restaurant - a tricky mix to get right.”
  --- ---
The third venue from the team behind Salt Yard & Dehesa makes its debut in a former luvvies’ watering hole close to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The ground floor (no bookings) retains its ornate bar & theatrical front windows, while the upstairs dining room is a warmly lit, buzzy space lined with sage banquettes. Fans will recognise the meticulously sourced charcuterie & cheeses along with signature plates including moreish deep-fried courgette flowers stuffed with goats’ cheese &  drizzled with honey, but the addition of a robata grill means that fresh Ibérico pork also takes a starring role – perhaps served meltingly tender with tangy hits of caper & lemon. Other highlights might range from smoky skewers of salt marsh lamb & kidney with paprika to a piquant salad of pickled salsify, chestnuts & Roosevelt potatoes. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff are on hand to proffer helpful recommendations from the nifty Spanish/Italian wine list.
  --- ---
Our Junior Sous Chef Mandi Kruger has won first place in the Foods from Spain Young Chef of the Year awards! 24 year old Mandie has won a week’s work experience in  three michelin star restaurant AkelarÌ€e in Spain- an amazing opportunity to expand her knowledge of Spanishcooking techniques and ingredients.
  --- ---
Opera Tavern is pleased to belong to the Sustainable Restaurant Association. We have made three pledges- to support a charity, to only serve sustainable fish and to recycle as much as possible. Salt Yard Group Shuktara - www.shuktara.net- a charity based in Calcutta, India which provides care for young people and children with disabilities that have no family. We add an optional £1 to each bill and are set to raise about £20k this year. We also support three children in Vietnam, Ethiopa and Brazil via Plan International.
  --- ---