We were visiting Chelmsford and decided to have lunch at La Tasca, since we had been to the ones in London a few times.

The service and atmosphere were good, well catered for babies too. However the food was very disappointing. We ordered a combo dish made out of various tapas:

The paella was really overcooked and had vinegar in it, the meatballs quality was very poor (tasted like tinned meatballs), the chorizo cooked in red wine was actually fried chorizo slices floating in uncooked wine, the patatas bravas were soggy and had no seasoning at all. The only decent tapa was the calamares and the spanish tortilla.

We complained and got our bill cut, but the waiter was unable to explain why so many dishes were so poorly cooked, he just said the chef was relatively new. The other waitress didn't speak English or Spanish.

I'm Spanish and know how those dishes should taste, and they tasted nothing like Spanish food.

Hiding behind the franchise they don't feel the need to produce quality food or service. Very disappointed every time we have been. We have now learnt to stay away!