WITH summer in full swing, conditions could hardly be more perfect for enjoying a feast for the senses in the shape of tapas at La Tasca in Ealing Broadway.

And, conveniently enough, the restaurant has just unveiled its new summer menu to ensure diners enjoy an authentically mediterranean dining experience.

The interior at La Tasca, while maybe a tad underlit for such a gorgeous summer's evening, is nonetheless evocative and atmospheric, and my two companions and I take our seats as the manager brings us a cross section of what the summer menu has to offer.

There's no point beating about the bush; the food here is simply fantastic. I ate tapas at an authentic eaterie in Barcelona in 2006 and the food on offer here simply trumps it in every respect.

One of the best things about eating this sort of food is how versatile both the menu and the prices are; you can have everything from a simple bowl of olives to a full-blown paella

We start with a simple selection of crusty breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. It's delicious.

And it's not long before we are soon presented with a symphony of savoury delights that cross all food groups.

Mouth-watering slices of cured beef and ham sit next to fresh, grilled prawns and the sheer joy of having so many wonderfu dishes to choose from is almost overwhelming.

As if that wasn't enough, we are also presented with a selection of summer drinks from the menu, from sangria to ice-cold cava.

Eating tapas is a social experience, but my two companions and I hardly say a word while we eat, as we are too busy enjoying such simple, delicious food.

The staff are equally fantastic; friendly, efficient and always ready to explain what a particular dish or point us in the right direction if we're unsure what to have next.

The meal is rounded off with coffee and some exquisite desserts. If you are looking for the perfect venue to spend a long summer evening with friends or loved ones, then La Tasca is the place to be.