Casa Ruiz, Bridgnorth

Reviewers rating * * * *

It may seem a little surprising if not perhaps foolhardy to open a new restaurant in the current economic climate.

But if your cooking is up to the mark and your prices are right it could be a sound decision.

Add to that good front of house and relaxed surroundings and I would say that it IS sound.

And in Bridgnorth we have all of that in its latest eaterie - Casa Ruiz - which opened its doors this month.

This authentic tapas bar - and I mean authentic not one of those dreadful pretenders - was a delightful find on the town's High Street.

It is run by Birmingham's Michelin starred maitre d' Alfonso Yufera-Ruiz.

Born and trained in Spain, chef patron Alfonso has spent 15 years gaining experience in some of the UK's and Spain's best restaurants.

His passions are "quality ingredients, sourced locally where possible, and cooked with care, passion, and flavour".

And it shows in his food.

"We were so excited when the opportunity came up to open in Bridgnorth as I have been coming here for years," said Emma. "Being from Newport myself, we often used to visit for the day. Everyone has been so welcoming to us."

It is clear from talking to Alfonso that his passions run deep, with much of his pleasures gained from sharing them with his customers through his food.

"We looked at many places for our new venture, both in Birmingham, and around Shropshire, but we settled in Bridgnorth as it is not only friendly and welcoming, but there is a real foodie buzz in the town, with many of the influential diners in Birmingham keeping their eye on new developments in the town."

Casa Ruiz is located in what was previously 'Bella Roma' located on the High Street and in an ideal situation for Alfonso.

"It is just above the Bridgnorth Deli, and almost next to Beaman's Butchers, so we are in good company. Most of our meats are sourced locally, with free range eggs from the town, and meats from local butchers.

"I choose my fish in Birmingham at the market, and also use specialist suppliers for my authentic Spanish ingredients from my old contacts at Simpsons, alongside family who often visit and bring some of our secret Spanish spices."

But enough of the background and on to the food.

We called by last Saturday on a shopping trip to the town. A warm greeting came from Emma (no, she didn't know who I was until we had finished eating) in the first floor restaurant.

Menus were handed over and drinks ordered. A nice touch here is that you can call by for just a glass of Spanish beer and a snack - very relaxed and so Iberian.

But we were hungry and making this our main meal of the day so a large selection of tapas was the order of the day.

From the appetisers list we chose a basket of bread (£1.50) and marinated anchovies (£2.50). Simply delicious bread, and plenty of it for the price, while I cannot buy the amount of anchovies we had for £2.50. Perfect to nibble at while our other choices arrived.

From the hot fish and meat tapas selection we had Judiones a la Asturiana (£3.50), Pinchos Granjeros (£4) and Bunuelos de Bacalao (£3.50) and from the hot vegetables Patatas Con Aioli (£3) and Croquetas con Queso Manchego y Pimenton (£3.50)

Judiones a la Asturiana are butter beans cooked with chorizo and onion and they were perhaps my favourite dish of the day.

Juicy butter beans and spicy chorizo in a light sauce had me mopping up the remains with chunks of bread.

Punchos Granjeros, grilled chicken and vegetable kebabs, which were succulent while the Bunuelos de Bacalao (cod and spring onion fishcakes) arrived on a bed of shredded crisp lettuce with a tangy dip.

The Patatas were freshly cooked (too often they are fried and then re-heated) with a good dollop of garlic mayonnaise and the Croquetas filled with Manchego cheese and green pepper looked a little heavy but were not once you bit into one.

A taste of sunny Spain and its wonderful food in a Shropshire market town. What a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon!

By Sharon Walters

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Queso Manchego- Manchego cheese (£3);

Aceitunas - olives (£1.50).

Main courses

Albondigas - pork and beef meatballs with tomato sauce (£3.50); Gambas Pil Pil - tiger prawns in a garlic and chilli oil (£4.50).

Desserts

Daily selection available.

ATMOSPHERE

Nice and relaxed - not quite continental!

SERVICE

Emma is a perfect host and makes you very welcome.

DISABLED FACILITIES

None and access is via stairs

Contact - Casa Ruiz, 45 High Street, Bridgnorth. Telephone (01746) 218084.