Bar Azita

Every Harpenden resident has one place they've somehow never visited, despite the raves. Mine was Bar Azita on Station Road. My wife and her friends have been countless times, reporting good food, cheap cocktails and a pram-friendly welcome.

Recently, with the small one at nursery, we finally went for lunch. The place was rammed, about as busy as Harpenden ever gets. We did hover at the door a few minutes before being seated, but that's my only real complaint.

It's a long, narrow room of glass, exposed brick and Moroccan-style lanterns, with enough space between tables that the buzz never becomes chaos.

You can go starters and mains, but my wife swears by the "party food" tapas approach, so we did. Serrano ham croquettes, handmade with a thick bechamel. Grilled halloumi with sweet chilli sauce. Bademjansalata, a smoky chargrilled aubergine dip I ordered by pointing, with warm pitta. Cretan cheese pies: filo parcels of feta drizzled with honey, which I'd confidently told my wife were goat's cheese. A skewer of charcoal-grilled padrón peppers. Lamb kofta topped with feta and lemon tahini on a Shirazi salad of tomato, cucumber and red onion so good it nearly upstaged the meat. Chicken shishlik with mushroom, peppers and onion. Then strawberry cheesecake and churros.

Not a dud among them. Dishes arrive as they're ready, which feels slightly rushed, but the staff kept the table clear and checked in often. I was driving, so Diet Coke for me. My wife rated the lime margarita highly enough to order two.

Then the bill. We'd ignored the lunchtime Tapas Rapido menu, but had accidentally qualified, and the staff applied it unprompted, saving us a few quid. Lovely.

Consider this a placeholder review. I need an evening visit to get the measure of the place, and I'm prepared to make that sacrifice.