Bar Iberico: Where Philosophy Meets Fine Dining in Hockley
Crispy Chicken, Potato & Cod Croquetas and Market Fish (Trout)
Another Tuesday night, another food exploration around town for the three food amigos. While the meetup was loosely planned, our dining destination emerged organically after a few warming drinks at the Lord Roberts. Braving the cold, we ventured up Broad Street, weighing our options. Sure, we could've ventured further into town, but the winter chill made us keep it local in the village. Call it laziness if you will – we do frequent other places around the city, but there's something comforting about staying close to home.
It was Bar Iberico's warm, inviting glow that caught our eye – or perhaps it was simply the fact we were standing 15 feet from its entrance. "Oh well," I suggested, "let's see if we can do a walk-in." This marks our second encounter with the culinary prowess of restaurateurs Dan Lindsay and Jacque Ferreira, following my recent visit to Tanquero. And no, before you ask – we don't have shares in their business or any special connections. They just have an uncanny knack for opening exceptional establishments.
The front house welcomed us warmly, finding us a table despite the surprising Tuesday evening buzz. It was pushing 8pm when we trundled in, and while the crowd was thinning, there was still plenty of life in the room. We were already deep into animated debates – one about pronouns (we'll spare you those details) and another fascinating discussion about Aristotle's insights on how democracies cycle through phases until they exhaust themselves into authoritarianism. No prizes for guessing what inspired that particular conversation, given recent events across the big pond.
Our patient waiter waited for a natural pause in our philosophical discourse before taking our drink orders. When it came to food, laziness kicked in again: "We'll have the first 8 plates from the tapas menu please," we declared unanimously. But then inspiration struck – "Wait," I interjected, "throw in some Lamb Morunos Pinchos with Chermoula (£8.5)" – explaining to my companions that Pinchos morunos translates to "Moorish spears," while chermoula is a vibrant marinade and relish. A flatbread crowned with anchovies completed our order – we were three very hungry philosophers, after all.
Lamb Morunos Pinchos with Chermoula
Our feast included:
Crispy Chicken & Spicy Jerez Sauce (£9)
Hot Mini Chorizo, Red Wine & Honey, Butterbean Hummus (£8.5)
Pork Belly, Quince Glaze, Red Cabbage, Miso Crema (£9)
Panko Beef Empanado, Piquillo, Olive, Sherry (£12)
Josper Grilled Market Fish (tonight's catch: trout) (£12)
Tuna Escabeche, Jalapeños (£9)
Potato & Cod Croquetas, Smoked Tomato & Chilli, Tartar Allioli (£7.5)
Patatas Bravas, Allioli (£6)
The debates continued flowing as freely as the wine, though we had to temporarily park one particularly heated discussion – some topics are best left for soberer moments. As the dishes began arriving (in what order, I couldn't tell you), I had to play the role of food photographer. "Stop!" I exclaimed, much to my companions' amusement and mild annoyance, as I rearranged the dishes for their close-ups.
"That would be my dish on death row" - Andy's verdict on the pork belly with quince glaze and red cabbage
While every dish deserved its moment in the spotlight, several stood out prominently. The Lamb skewers were a masterclass in chargrilled perfection – tender yet full of flavour. The pork belly proved so impressive that it prompted Andy's memorable declaration: "That would be my dish on death row." This led to the inevitable question – "Why would you be on death row in the first place?" – followed by much laughter. The Panko beef was a revelation, while the market fish (trout) offered understated brilliance that shouldn't be overlooked.
Pork Belly
We made short work of these dishes, even ordering extra bread to soak up the remaining sauces – too good to waste. Our feast was accompanied by a bottle of 'A Little Yering' Pinot Noir from Australia, its rich, soft profile delivering vibrant, plush flavors of juicy cherries and pomegranate, with a beautifully balanced savoury and spicy lift.
As the evening wound down, I attempted to resurrect one of our earlier debates, but was met with a unanimous "Park that!" from my dining companions. Sometimes, it's better to end the night talking about football.
Bar Iberico reminds us that great dining isn't just about the food – it's about the conversations, the company, and those moments when a spontaneous Tuesday night turns into something memorable. Whether you're seeking philosophical discourse or simply exceptional tapas, this Hockley establishment delivers on all fronts.
