Alora hard work pays off with two AA rosettes

ALORA has become the first tapas restaurant in Nottinghamshire to receive the prestigious accolade of two AA rosettes for culinary excellence.

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

It's just nine months since the Mapperley restaurant opened in a former bank in Plains Road.

The award, which follows the visit of an anonymous AA inspector, is given to "excellent restaurants that aim for and achieve higher standards and better consistency".

"A greater precision is apparent in the cooking, and there will be obvious attention to the selection of quality ingredients," a description adds.

The AA inspector, who revealed her identity after eating there last month, ordered small sharing plates of stone bass and braised lamb shoulder shepherd's pie, and for dessert, dark chocolate delice.

In her report she described it as a "unique culinary experience on the outskirts of Nottingham".

The entry in the online guide goes on to say: "Álora is a stylish and lively spot, with bold/vibrant/trendy interior - soft lighting, with upbeat background music (genres a mix of world/Spanish/Latin American influences).