May 8, 2014 12.19 pm This story is over 118 months old

Healthy tapas bar opens in historic Lincoln

Olivares Tapas Bar: The newest and smallest addition to the Lincoln family of Spanish-style eateries has opened its doors after a £70,000 investment.

The newest and smallest addition to the Lincoln family of Spanish-style eateries has opened its doors on Castle Hill after a £70,000 investment.

The quaint corner unit, formerly a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust gift shop, has been given a full overhaul with seating for around 20 customers, bay window views of Lincoln Castle and a fully licensed kitchen and bar.

Olivares Tapas Bar started trading last week with a private opening and owner Nicholas Petre (40) already has big plans for the future.

“Ultimately I will be expanding the seating space to the whole of the first floor which will have great views of the square outside and double our capacity”, said Nicholas.

“I have completed all of the refurbishing work by myself with the help of a friend. All together I have spent around £70,000 on the business.

“I have been living in Lincoln for around a year and have been looking for the right city to open my business in. Lincoln is a beautiful city and very welcoming.

“In the few weeks that we have been setting the place up we have been showered with well wishes and gifts.”

Nicholas is running the business and kitchen with the help of his wife, and will soon be looking to recruit another member of staff.

The pair from Majorca will offer a range of hot and cold traditional dishes which they say have been given a unique twist.

“I studied business and tourism but I learned to cook through traditional recipes that have been passed down through the generations,” added Nicholas.

“I have my own business in Spain and worked in the industry for many years.

“The current menu is definitely a work in progress and we will be developing the selection as we go along.

“The other thing that we are trying to do is to offer a much healthier alternative, we will be making sure the dishes are as fresh and as low-fat as possible.”

The restaurant is open 10am until 3pm seven days a week and then again between 5pm and 11pm.