London's only Michelin starred Tapas restaurant serving quality produce at the counter only and taking no reservations - first come, first served
Another lovely drop in visit to this Michelin starred Spanish tapas venue in Soho. Barrafina’s has two trump cards which make it appealing: a) it is virtually all day dining and b) reservations are not required and walk-ins are the norm making it a wonderful venue for spontaneous small dish needs. This was one such occasion and the magnificent Jason and cheese croquettes were a delight yet again, the padron peppers good as ever and the Paletilla Ibérica ham was a joy, especially being that it is Bellota – the highest grade of the four Iberica ham one can get (the finest pigs fed on acorns in the best conditions as opposed conveyer belt grain). This is still one of my favourite venues in London and well worth a try if you have not given this a go.
Food Grade: 83%
I was in the area and we needed food, so luckily got a seat prior to everyone and this time had the classic Iberico ham, gorgeous croquetta with béchamel and bacon, incredibly good lemon oil based prawns and a deep fried courgette flower with goats cheese and brushes of syrup. I have to say the dishes were far better than last time and I knew the desserts may be so so and simply avoided them and replaced with sherry and beer to go with the savouries. A lovely set of dishes, which were, thankfully not long a wait as we were the last two to get seats on the first ‘wave’. Still would not wait an hour for it but was very pleased to be able to have again.
Food Rating: 83%
A new addition to the 1 star family in 2014 and the queue to get in would certainly testify that. I visited on an early Saturday evening to see what it was like and the food was genuinely good (pig’s ears with lemon mayonnaise was certainly good as was the black pudding with fried quails’ eggs and tomato) and as I was on my own I got a single seat at the bar in 2 minutes – had I been with another, the waiter informed me the wait was going to be (on average) an hour – and some people actually waited(!). The place does not take reservations hence so many waiting, but those at the bar were in no hurry, so if I go again it will only be to try other things on the menu if I am passing and it fits in with the day. Otherwise, it was a pleasant experience but one I would not wait standing up to an hour for. Dropping in on a weekday lunch or less busy period is probably better for here.
Food Grade: 79%
My hobby-turned-passion began to evolve during my assignments to London where I was fortunate enough to be able to explore all the Michelin starred restaurants in my spare time and as a result, I gradually built up a catalogue of all these venues.