FORGET all the claptrap about south coast city rivalries, one of the best entertainment centres in Hampshire is in Portsmouth.

Gunwharf Quays is a £100m development in the heart of the city and features 65 designer outlets, an 11-screen cinema and 20 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants.

And high on the recommended list is La Tasca, the Spanish tapas bar and restaurant which overlooks Portsmouth Harbour. On a summer's evening, with the boats passing by, it is a great place to eat.The atmosphere inside is busy but intimate. But what of the food? Well, if you've never tried tapas before, then it is an experience. No T-bone steak well done, chips and veg piled high on a plate and slapped in front of you. Tapas is a feast of dishes; meat, fish, vegetarian - it's like sampling a pot pourri of Spanish cuisine, mixing the flavours of each dish.

The trick is to be varied with the choices, but at the same time to complement the tapas. And for a couple, seven or eight tapas, which vary in price from £1.95 each to £3.95, should satisfy most appetites.

We plumped for the Ensalada de Cogollos con Ahumados, a delicious salad of smoked salmon, tuna and cod - a mixture of delightful flavours.

The Pimientos del Piquillo al Ajillo (red and green peppers sauted in olive oil and garlic) was a little disappointing, the taste a little harsh, but that was made up for by the Queso Manchego (Spanish manchego cheese), light to the taste and wonderfully served with fresh tomato and dipped in olive oil.

Finding room on the table was the Costillas de Cerdo (pork spare ribs in a tangy sauce), a little fatty and a touch overcooked, but the sauce was right on the button. And then there was the Gambas Gabardina (king prawns deep fried in butter), wickedly tasty and served with garlic butter.

I love lamb, and the Cordero en Salsa (casserole of lamb) was gorgeous and would have made a wonderful meal alone. The lamb was cooked in wine and served with potatoes, mustard and peppercorns.

Finally, there was the Paella Valenciana (paella rice). You can order this as a meal for two on its own in the restaurant at £8.95, and next time I will. This was a paella not too oily or heavy on the stomach, made up of seafood and chicken.

Throw in some garlic bread, and you are left reeling at the end of the meal with, in our case, no room for the puddings which included Flan con Helado de Vainilla (Spanish flan served with ice cream) and Tocino de Cielo con Queso y Pinones (Spanish cheesecake with honey and pine nuts).

Tapas is a very flexible way of dining - it's a little different, but a wonderful way to introduce you to the culinary delights of Spain. Our bill for two, including a couple of non-alcoholic drinks, came to £35.55.

Reservations: 023 9286 4444.