La Rueda

A stalwart of the Clapham strip, La Rueda has been here for donkey’s years & isn’t likely to change soon. It’s a sizeable, rustically styled venue with greenery hanging from wooden ceilings, & cartwheels incorporated into the partitions. The waiters are old hands & know how to help diners have a good time – a decent wine list, plentiful sangria & cold beers help too. Tapas (gambas a la plancha, chorizo al vino, jamón serrano) are well portioned, inexpensive & mostly very good. If you prefer a full meal, it’s wise to choose steak or paella rather than test the chef’s culinary prowess in other areas. During the week, the restaurant is jolly, if reasonably tame. Come the weekend, though, the joint gets jumping, with Latin music (live on Sundays) until the wee hours.