El Gato Negro Tapas

El Gato Negro is a modest sort of place, unassumingly located alongside a main road just outside Ripponden; inside, it’s an understated mix of painted beams & plain wood tables, but the cooking positively sings. A short roster of really inviting tapas plates offers authentic Spanish flavours, from fail-safe classics such as chorizo cooked in red wine, patatas bravas & pinchos morunos (marinated pork skewers) to contemporary updates along the lines of roast baby chicken with lemon, garlic & paprika, sea bass à la mallorquina, scallops with oriental spices, & manchego with bittersweet green figs. Also look out for the great-value set deals for two people – six items & a bottle of house wine for £35 (Wednesday & Thursday evenings, Saturday & Sunday lunch).