Swanky bar with overworked pizza oven and occasional crazy discounts

For some reason Cwtch decided to give all its money away this month. 'Eat as much tapas as you like for a tenner' was one of several deals, and they meant it. Still, we're not complaining, even if slight pangs of guilt began to be felt after ordering the third plate of tiger prawns.

But then they were excellent. In fact, lots of the tapas food is really decently cooked, and it's not often you can say that in a city where the pre-packaged bland nonsense served in La Tasca has set a low benchmark up until now. Back to those prawns......beautifully presented in a rich garlic marinade and so fresh they might have been scooped up from the waters of the bay outside only hours before (if there are prawns in there, which is highly unlikely). There were plenty of other delights too, including expertly baked walnut bread, dates wrapped in bacon, and roasted aubergines bizarrely described by the chef as 'a little loose today'. I think we can cope with loose vegetables. Do order the meatballs too, absolutely the antithesis of La Tasca's taste desensation. These are clearly rolled lovingly on site, with some decently seasoned meat, and tarted up with an impressively piquant tomato sauce.

It's not quite Spanish heaven though. The drinks are expensive, mostly at least £3 although bottles of wine are better value. The staff are not entirely au fait with the menu either, particularly the 'mixed mezze' which was substituted for a bowl of nachos each time we ordered it. Or were they just trying to fill us up. Very possible. You may have strong feelings about your fellow customers too. Cwtch does attract executive types, and also guests from the hotel upstairs. They are all perfectly nice, but there isn't a friendly social scene going here. Finally, a big warning on the pizzas: there's a great clay oven in the corner, but it's very, very, VERY small. Check there isn't a queue before ordering. Oh, and don't sit at the far end - there's a famous Siberian draft which shoots in from the back door. You have been unwarmed.