FAWC by 5: Deliciosa tapas and wines

ACCLAIMED: Deliciosa tapas and wine bar has won numerous awards since opening in 2007.

I have found the perfect place to dine to avoid menu envy - Deliciosa tapas and wines on Napier Rd, Havelock North.

The Spanish-themed restaurant is all about sharing dishes made with the freshest and tastiest ingredients owner and host Sarah Watson can get her hands on.

Sarah's guiding philosophy focuses on great service, superb food and excellent beverages in order to create what she affectionately calls her little South of Spain experience.

I arrived on a cold day just before noon to try their FAWC! by 5 dish - Confit duck waffles with duck liver parfait and Pedro Ximenez drizzle.

I love duck so I was really looking forward to this dish. Deliciosa has a cosy indoor area and a vine-covered terrace and has recently expanded into a larger terrace and garden area shared with neighbours, Hawthorne Coffee.

Sarah said her aim was for customers to experience the biggest flavour explosion possible.

Deliciosa has won numerous awards since opening its doors in 2007, including the Hawke's Bay Signature Dish competition in the casual dining class in 2009 and 2010 and runner-up in 2008 and 2011. It has had a number of category wins in the Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards and was chosen as a finalist in six categories in 2012, winning five of them.

For the past three years, they have won the outstanding wine and beverage list and the award for front of house manager or team. An impressive pedigree.

My lunch was served and it looked divine. The waffles were a lovely golden colour, were easy to cut into and had plenty of delicate bits of delicious duck. The duck liver parfait was supreme. It had the consistency of a mousse; delicate, light and airy and full of bold flavour. I loved it.

Drizzled on the plate was some Pedro Ximenez. If you have never tried this delicious Spanish sherry you should. It is intensely sweet and dark and probably just a little bit too easy to drink.

I also tasted confi duck burrito bites with mango and chili salsa ... just splendid. The salsa was refreshing and went perfectly with the crispy burrito.

Sarah says she thinks the secret to their success is "our complete dedication to attention to detail, not taking any shortcuts with food".

"It's all about quality. We have an amazing team who provide a vibrant atmosphere. Our regular customers are more like friends to us.

"We encourage our guests to relax and enjoy in a manner more akin to the Spanish style where dishes are presented and shared rather than individual dishes for each diner.

"This gives diners the opportunity to taste, discuss and enjoy an afternoon or evening out with friends and family in Havelock North's relaxed village."

I can't wait to go back and try some of the other interesting things on the menu. Oh, and while you are there, try the home-made rocky road ... wow.

-Open Monday to Tuesday from 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday 11am. It pays to book. Phone 877 6031.

-Throughout June, an array of Hawke's Bay's finest restaurants, cafes and bars will be serving special Winter F.A.W.C! menu selections. These will come in $5 offerings.