IT’S all change at the helm of Tapeo, a contender for best Spanish restaurant in a crowded Manchester market under the fastidious stewardship of Nacho Perez and Natalia Esquerado.
Now they have parted company with partners in the Deansgate enterprise, Manchester United star Juan Mata and his dad Juan Snr (pictured at last May’s launch). Nacho and Natalia (below), front of house and at the stove respectively, have sold their stake to the Matas for undisclosed reasons to pursue a new project in the city.
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They know it well, having spent 20 years as Spanish produce importers, to the likes of La Tasca initially, after Natalia came to study translation at the university.
Taste of Manchester fell in love with the 120 cover restaurant painstakingly created in the former ModelZone shop over two floors of the listed Onward Buildings. It felt like a smart contemporary tapas eaterie that could easily be in Natalia’s native Valencia or Nacho’s Madrid.
Indeed the furnishings were almost all imported from Spain – Moorish tiles, copper piping and herringbone parquet flooring. The food was equally authentic. We gave it five stars and it continued to impress, especially the rice dishes.
We hope with the Matas as sole shareholders that quality, which includes a splendid regional wine list, will continue.
Natalia told us: “We have decided to pursue other interests separate from Tapeo & Wine, and have disposed of our shareholding to our co- shareholders. We wish to thank all our friends, customers, suppliers and staff for their loyalty, support and help you have given us.”
Tapeo & Wine, open as usual, 209 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3NW. 0161 832 2770.