Peasant

Set in a heritage-listed former police barracks, Peasant has hewn its own seductive and moody space, which ranges from tables for two in the garden dining room to communal tables indoors that suit more boisterous groups. While at times staff might seem aloof, they shine when called upon to interpret the blackboard menu or wine list. Tapas and shared dishes offer a culinary tour of Spanish flavours such as pan con tomate - sourdough smeared with ripest tomato and topped with fine jamon, or sweet, smoky chorizo fried with piquant harissa and golden crisp slices of waxy potato. Main event dishes are generously proportioned to share, and might include paprika-rubbed chicken with a charry exterior and succulent flesh, served with a garlicky sauce and roasted lemon or meltingly tender wagyu ribs in a rich sherry, caramel and chilli sauce. A seemingly static dessert menu offers good renditions of Spanish classics such as crema Catalana or churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce, made special when paired with sherry or madeira.