El Faro, Auckland CBD

We stopped in at the Stables looking for a quick pre-show dinner. El Faro appealed with a tasty menu and seating tucked away from the bustling Stables central area. I started with a refreshing, citrus-y white wine sangria, which was fairly generous and hit the spot. For dinner we had bread with dips, braised pork and white beans with chorizo. The bread was crusty and yummy, and the dips very tasty. Almost TOO tasty - I found myself wishing we'd got the bread with olive oil to go with our meal. The pork was slightly under salted and dry, although fairly tender - not a stand out. The beans and chorizo were fantastic, and both our favourite. Tender, delicious, and making me want to find a similar recipe for home cooking. We finished with churros - can't eat Spanish and not have churros! These were great - three portions, all about a foot long, super crunchy and sweet. I'd like to try more of their menu but can't say it's great value for money - but that's true of all the eateries at Eliot Stables. If the dishes were a couple of dollars cheaper each we'd probably have ordered another. A fine meal and I'd eat here again but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

We had some tapas from El Faro and chose to had the bite at the combined dining area. Prawns diablo with crushed chick peas, smoked chili, was very nice; crispy calamari was not crispy; slow-roasted pork with patatas bravas was average; sangria was refreshing. (Food -3/5; Service - 3.5/5)

What a find. Tucked away in the back corner of Elliott Stables sits the best tapas restaurant this side of Barcelona. I recommend the flame kissed goat cheese (omg) and the lamb croquettes. Wash it down with some of their delicious sangria before going to a show you'll thank me later.