Despite the fact that Londonist’s favourite London tapas bar - Laxeiro - wasn’t vending, Tapas Fantasticas at the Old Truman Brewery presented a delicious opportunity to sample some of the best tapas in London as well as some especially gorgeous tapas from the Rioja region of Spain. To wash all those tasty tapas down, about 20 wineries from Rioja were kindly on hand with an impressive range of vino – from perky whites to arresting reds. In addition to hankering to book a trip to the Riojana city of Logroño (we must devour a bowl of Chuchi’s migas de pastor again … soon!), we’re now keen to hit up Clapham’s Lola Rojo for some mouth-watering patatas con ajoarriero (deep fried potatoes with cod and tomato sauce) and will most certainly come calling to the King’s Cross restaurant, Camino, for their succulent tortilla. An array of flamenco dancers (on and off stage) mixing with the throngs of Brick Lane hipsters added an extra touch of spice to this vibrant event, the likes of which we very much hope to see return next year!

Photograph by Chris Osburn.