El Toro

I’ve generally accepted that when I go out for a meal, the gluten free choices can be fairly limited in comparison to the regular menu. So I was delighted to find the gluten free offering at El Toro in Broomhill was over 90% of the menu.

El Toro is a Spanish tapas restaurant, where you order and share lots of small dishes. The extensive choice is chalked up on menus around the walls, with plenty of meat, vegetarian and fish dishes. (Some of the dishes feature on their early bird menu, where you can have 3 tapas and a drink for a set price before 7pm.)

We began with a cocktail – I had a mojito – whilst we decided what to order. Our assortment of dishes included patatas bravas, meatballs, Catalan duck, lamb stew, goat cheese salad and spinach Catalan. I was glad to hear they have a separate fryer to ensure their food is not cross-contaminated.

The food came fairly quickly and was all great. Our tapas staples, patatas bravas and meatballs, were as lovely, as expected. The Catalan duck was delicious – well flavoured and falling off its bone and the goat cheese was very creamy. All in all, a great selection, and it’s so enjoyable to share all the little dishes.

You can’t fail to notice the giant meringues in a display cabinet when you walk through the door. These are enormous, and come in a selection of flavours including almond, chocolate, strawberry and pistachio. I think all are gluten free except the lemon one.

In the photos are the almond and strawberry meringues. They were delicious and light, with a gooey texture in the middle of the almond one. Definitely enough to share!