Aqua Nueva tantalises its guests by taking them on culinary journeys around Spain. The latest offering takes guests on a tour through the North-West Galicia region to experience an array of limited-edition dishes.

Moving on from the Southern region of Spain, where Aqua Nueva had focused on Valencia delicacies in celebration of the famous La Tomatina festival in August, the culinary tour moves to Galicia – known both as Spain’s most famous seafood destination and the home of the Padrón pepper.

Guests not only experience an explosion of flavours, but the dishes can be paired with local Galician wines and gin to capture the region’s culinary traditions with a modern and innovative twist.

The menu options are incredibly extensive, with a collection of classic plates and croquettes to choose from, alongside a very impressive list of tapas. Padron Peppers – or Pimientos de padrón – are a must for obvious reasons. Start with these along with the Black Seafood croquettes, which are absolutely brilliant. The Cured sardines & Penjar tomatoes on crystal bread is another splendid dish to start with.

You’ll notice on the menu scallop shells assigned next to certain dishes, and this is to signify those which have been inspired by Galicia. The scallop shell is renowned by Galician locals as the pathway to the infamous Camino de Santiago, a Spanish pilgrim leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It has since become an iconic symbol of the region and is therefore poignantly used throughout Aqua Nueva’s menu to highlight the Galician specials.

The tapas selection is hard to choose from because there are so many delights on here. The Galician beef tartare, roasted bone marrow and sourdough not only looks sensational in presentation, but it’s got real authentic flavours to match. The Beef short rib, potato gratin and chimichurri is probably a personal favourite. The meat is soft and tender, and with the chimichurri it’s just excellent. A really great dish. Fans of pork and truffle (like myself) need look no further than the Suckling pig tacos with black truffle and endive. This is a clever use of ingredients, which all combines beautifully to create a delectable savoury bite.

Seafood lovers will enjoy the Galician-style octopus and green mojo, or the Hand-dived scallops, saffron onion and Iberian ham. Veggies, try the Confit piquillo peppers, romesco and Marcona almond, or the Celeriac salad with Monte Enebro cheese and Jerusalem artichoke.

For dessert you must sample the Tarta de Santiago almond cake, which literally means ‘cake of St. James’, paying homage to Galician heritage once again.

The Galicia region is often referred to as ‘green Spain’, because it’s famous for its long stretches of natural landscape along the Atlantic coastline that produces a unique style of wine compared to anywhere else in Spain. Aqua Nueva will be celebrating these local wines as the perfect accompaniment to the new dishes. Wines include Alma de Blanco Godello – a crisp and fresh white wine with a light peach and floral finish – and El Canto del Cuco – a fresh and fruity white wine with flavours of green apple, peach and hints of pineapple and citrus.

Those looking for a refreshing and authentic Spanish alternative can try a Gin & Tonic with a local Galician gin, Nordés which is the very essence of the region, subtle and well-balanced with a herbal aroma.

Set in the heart of London’s West End with a captivating outdoor roof-top terrace, Aqua Nueva offers guests a taste of Spanish culture in one of London’s most desirable locations. The Galician culinary experience, available for lunch and dinner, is arguably the restaurant’s best pit stop so far.

For more information visit aquanueva.co.uk/experience