THERE we were, a trio of friends determined to celebrate our December birthdays, bemoaning the fact every eatery was sure to be decked with festive decorations.

So, where to go to put Christmas on the back burner for a few more days while bringing back memories of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer dining?

Why a tapas bar, of course, but in Barnard Castle on a freezing Friday night? Well, ladies born under the sign of the Archer are nothing if not bold, so to Los Toreros Muertos at the top of The Bank we sallied.

Let’s get its name, which translates as The Dead Bullfighters, out of the way first.

Proprietors Jose and Denise Rodriguez are anti-bullfighting, so they reasoned it would be a good name for their bistro.

The jury’s out on this one, and I much prefer Tapas in Teesdale, the brand name they use for their successful outside catering business and by which name the bistro is referred to locally anyway.

There’s also an effigy of a dead bullfighter on the way to the loos – startling if you come across it unexpectedly after a glass or two, but at Los Toreros Muertos the bull definitely comes out on top.

Minor points aside, we had a cracking night.

Chef Jose is a Spaniard who prides himself on authentic dishes, while wife Denise, originally from Stockton, lived in Spain for almost 20 years, working with the country’s health department to promote healthy lifestyles.

She also found time to teach English as a foreign language, something she’s continued via the internet.

The bistro opens Friday and Saturday nights, with seating for just 24 and was packed on the evening we were there. Once booked, the table is yours for the night.

As soon as we stepped through the door our spirits were lifted by the welcoming atmosphere, good buzz and – bliss for us birthday girls – not a Christmas bauble yet in sight.

The dining space is dictated by the constraints of the ancient building and comprises a basic but intimate room each side of the entrance.

Once seated however, Annie, facing the kitchen, found the view slightly off-putting, and didn’t appreciate seeing ice being heaped into a jug of water with bare hands.

The menu is changed regularly, with new dishes each week, and while we perused we were served complimentary martinis.

We started by sharing a selection of hot and cold nibbles.

The hot included chicken breast and chorizo in breadcrumbs, and mozzarella bites, while the cold offered marinated black and green olives with roasted peppers; a selection of dusted roasted nuts; and tiny cubes of marinated cheese and herbs.

However, as we delved in the main dishes began to arrive; somewhat disconcerting as we had to stop and then juggle water jugs and platters to accommodate everything. Apparently Teesdale people like all their dishes to arrive at once so who are we to argue.

We’d also agreed to share mains, so we each got to taste Rach’s delicious meatballs in tomato sauce, Annie’s skewers of chicken breast with chargrilled peppers – the highlight for me – and my chunks of chorizo and pork sausage braised in red wine and brandy.

We each chose a side dish, resulting in the sharing of two kinds of potato chunks – one with tomato and garlic sauce, the other with fried peppers, chilli infused olive oil and parmesan flakes – and rice flavoured with sundried tomato, herbs, edible flowers and almond flakes.

With room for dessert Rach, never known to pass on chocolate, had a hot sponge pudding with chocolate sauce and flakes, while Annie and I went for traditional clotted cream rice pudding with apple and cinnamon.

While sipping complimentary coffee – irritating little pots of milk aside – we agreed that we’d loved the food and the atmosphere, which had really put us in the birthday mood.

We felt the bill of £67.75, which included a palatable bottle of house red at £12, to be acceptable, and on leaving we barely managed to restrain ourselves from bursting into a lively rendition of Y Viva Espana.

Los Toreros Muertos
8 The Bank, Barnard Castle, DL12 8PQ
Telephone: 01388-834304 or 07905 692915
Website: www.tapasinteesdale.com
Opening hours: Friday and Saturday evenings, 6pm to 11pm (They also do takeaway tapas, but require 24 hours notice)
Vegetarians well catered for
Disabled access, but not suitable for wheelchairs

RATINGS
Food quality 8
Service 8
Surroundings 6
Value 7