Tasca is a restaurant pop-up, currently based at Giacco's in Highbury, reinterpreting Spanish and Portuguese dishes and wines across a compact, delicious menu. A short walk from Arsenal and Finsbury Park stations, Giacco's is a popular cocktail bar and kitchen, open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner and weekend lunches.
Following their travels across Portugal and Spain, head chef Josh Dallaway and sommelier Sinead Murdoch were inspired by family-owned restaurants to start Tasca, which pays homage to those comforting Mediterranean flavours. The menu offers a variety of options, focused on robust Spanish and Portuguese flavours, albeit slightly elevated to make it suitable for all occasions. This is best exemplified in dishes like the innovative take on the Cachorrinho sandwich, which is filled with pork and prawns, topped with Ossau-Iraty cheese, and finished with a glug of peri-peri oil. Most impressive in the dessert options is Dallaway’s extravagant take on the bikini sandwich, which he’s slathered in maple syrup and creme fraiche after toasting brioche with Tomme de chevre cheese and Iberico ham.
Giacco's has a paired back, natural feel that suits Tasca's direct cooking. Sommelier Murdoch has chosen to celebrate female winemakers from regions through Spain and Portugal in her wine list. However, Giacco's excellent cocktail menu is also worth a look, which features 13 eye-catching and delicious drinks that include the spicy Picante, and the sweet Peach Gimlet.
Tasca has already proved itself to be popular with those looking for something adventurous, yet still homely and indulgent through its tribute of traditional Mediterranean foods focused on Spanish and Portuguese regions.