Tapas the concept
has varied origins and interpretations in the modern
world of culinary diversity.
There is the story of the wise
Spanish king Alfonso the 10th. During an illness
he was advised to take small amounts
of food with a glass of wine in between meals
to
sustain his strength during the day. On recovery
the wise king apparently decreed that no wine
was to be served in the inns of Castile without
the accompaniment of something small to
eat, thus protecting the poverty-stricken inhabitants
of taking alcohol without a lining for the
stomach.
The most widely accepted theory of
Tapas, and the origin of the word “Tapa” which
literally means “cover”, comes
from the time that “tabernas” (taverns)
started spreading throughout the southern province
of Andalusia. The owners of these wine bars
would cover the patron’s glass of wine
with a saucer containing a small titbit
of food, so keeping the small fruit
flies away from the wine in the glass. These
snacks on the saucer soon became the attraction
to
visit one wine bar above another, and
soon various wine bars became well known for
their own speciality Tapas.
Here at FORK we serve contemporary Tapas, an evolution of the old and still existing Spanish ways, a spirit of sharing smaller plates of food, and a culinary sensation of experiencing different tastes all in the same meal. It is about having fun, experimenting, sharing, eating your fill and enjoying some good wine with friends, acquaintances and business colleagues without the drear and formality of one large plate of food.
We have taken the Spanish idea, combined it with all the different
flavours and techniques of Europe and infused true South African ingredients
and tastes. So whether you fancy trying a RACLETTE FONDUE WITH CROSTINI AND CHORIZO,
ROAST BUTTERNUT WITH HUMMUS AND PINENUTS, ASIAN SALMON, TIGER PRAWNS WRAPPED IN PANCETTA
or MINI KUDU WITH ORANGE POTATO PUREE AND CITRUS DRESSING, come on in because there are
many more small plates of spectacular food to choose from.
We serve all day from 12 NOON – 11PM.
Whether it’s a glass of wine and a small plate
you’re after or a large selection to constitute
a meal, join us at FORK.
