Trifter

EL Coto is a restaurant in the West End of Newcastle, which serves Spanish tapas in a noisy party atmosphere. Its decor is an interesting mix of terra cotta walls, brick columns, wood beams with stained glass partitions.  There is a small outdoor eating area and everyone is served very briskly.

It serves eleven small dishes from £15 (2009).  The crusty bread with garlic mayonnaise and olives can be followed by a cold selection of buttery Serrano ham Manchego cheese and tomatoes with herb and garlic oil.

Whitefish croquettes and dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon are pretty good as are the lamb meatballls seasoned with tomato sauce and soft carrots.

I liked the King Prawns sauteed in olive oil and served with fresh chillies. My partner went for the medallions of pork tenderloin in a crispy blue cheese and mushroom sauce.

The sauteed potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce came towards the end of the meal and the final dish was chorizo in garlic and white wine.  All in all it was an interesting eating experience.

El Coto, which is near Leazes Park, has lots of parking nearby, though it is not fully accessible for disabled diners.

It is open from noon until 23:00 seven days a week and can be contacted on 0191 261 0555.