While tapas and Christmas might not be a classic combo, Opera Tavern manages to blend the two wonderfully for the ultimate celebration this winter. Tucked away in Covent Garden, this cosy bar puts a festive spin on its tasty small plates, bringing hearty set menus and sharing dishes at Christmas.
When it comes to hosting your Christmas Party at Opera Tavern, the La Scala Room offers a private space upstairs. This intimate space can host up to 43 guests seated, or 45 standing, featuring exposed brick walls, bold artwork and soft lighting for a relaxing celebration. Here, the restaurant team is happy to assist with any other requests such as flowers, name cards, personalised menus and wine selection.
Guests can choose from varied menus for the meal itself. There are two set menus, as well as the option for a canape reception, each showcasing the site’s excellent Spanish cooking. Your meal might start with olives, chargrilled flatbreads with fermented garlic butter and a selection of Spanish and Italian charcuterie. From there, you’ll find a mix of fish, meat and veg dishes, catering to varied dietary requirements. Tuck into the likes of prawn pil pil with garlic, chilli and parsley, pan-fried cod with pickled green tomatoes or stone bass ceviche.
Meatier dishes, meanwhile, could include slow-cooked beef cheeks with cavolo nero and black truffle mash or chicken saltimbocca with parsnip and crispy skin. Finish off the meal with a gloriously decadent dessert, such as opera cake with Christmas-spiced ice cream, rosemary panna cotta with coffee ice cream and burnt butter cake or Nutella doughnuts with raspberries.
For standing receptions meanwhile, there is a pleasing selection of Spanish-inspired canapes. Expect options such as padron peppers with Maldon salt, asparagus tortelloni, salt cod croquetas and ‘nduja crostini with honey. On top of this you’ll find an extensive selection of Christmas wines, handpicked each year by the onsite sommelier, offering a perfect pairing for your food.