Barrafina (revisited) – London, England (9/10)
Apr 20th, 2009 by admin
Background:
Barrafina is one of my favourite places to eat in London. People’s lists of favourites can be a little controversial, being so subjective, but I don’t think many will disagree with my choice of Barrafina. My last two visits (read here and here for previous reviews) were far too long ago, although the memories are still as sharp as if I had eaten there just the other day. I walk past it most days and see it constantly buzzing with happy diners.
The reasons why I’m not a regular? Despite it being just down the road from my office, a meal at Barrafina requires strategic planning and coordination with a dedicated foodie friend. There are only 23 stools (not counting the two or three outside tables) and there is a no reservations policy. Unless you’re a fan of queueing with a rumbling stomach, grabbing two of the precious seats has meant turning up with my companion at 5.15pm and 5.30pm respectively on my previous visits.
It’s also not cheap to eat at Barrafina, although the quality is consistently high and the service excellent. I prefer to regard a meal at Barrafina as a special occasion, something to look forward to. The excitement experienced prior to each visit has been so high and on no occasion have I been disappointed.
For this lunch, Charmaine from tasty treats! and I arranged to meet at 11.45am to walk over to Barrafina to stand ten minutes outside the entrance until we were waved in. This may sound unnecessary, but we were soon joined by other eager diners, and the stools were soon filled.
Menu:
The classics are all still there, but the daily specials should also be sampled. The seafood is incredibly fresh (it’s all displayed on ice for you to admire) and the suckling pig, an absolutely enormous leg of tender succulent meat, must be ordered if you ever hear it mentioned as a special.
What we ordered:
Both having visited before, we decided on the following. The first four are on the standard menu.
- lamb cutlets (£6.50) – as spectacular as I remembered from both visits! You get two meaty cutlets for the price, and if you’re a fan of lamb, do order this
- patatas bravas (£3.50) – this is basically chips with brava sauce, but it’s lovely to nibble on these while you wait for your next order to arrive. I love these chips!
- pisto with duck egg (£6.80) – I had this last time, and it’s almost a shame to pop the fried duck egg so that the soft yolk mixes with the pisto underneath. Not quite as delicious as I remembered, somehow, but still tasty
- ham croquetas (£4.75) – it was my first time to try these and they were incredibly light and cheesey inside, with tiny bits of chopped ham. I think I’d order them again
- razor clams (£6.20) – my second favourite after the lamb cutlets. Although a special, it always seems to be available! There are six per portion and they are deliciously garlicky
- mojama with yellow chicory & pomegranate seeds (£6.50) – a gorgeous special, which I’ve not had before, of thin slices of cured tuna, served on a bed of chicory with pomegranate seeds. This reminded me a little of prosciutto actually
The verdict:
Barrafina is as I remembered! Occasionally a revisit can disappoint, but fortunately it still sits high in my favourites list. You can’t simply order a couple of tapas and snack if you eat here, so give in to the temptation and just order away. You won’t regret it! I’m already looking forward to my next visit in a few months…
Lunch for two cost £40 with service charge and tap water.
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the London restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact Details:
Barrafina
54 Frith Street
London W1D 4SL
Tel: 0207 813 8016
www.barrafina.co.uk
Opening Hours:
Monday-Saturday -
Lunch 12pm – 3pm
Dinner 5pm – 11.00pm
Sunday -
Lunch 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Dinner 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Helen Yuet Ling Pang @ World Foodie Guide
Like Fernandez & Wells, the Harts have consistency down to a fine art. The ambience at this place is on par with the fine food here.
NB Nice to see you ladies scoffing on chips instead of the usual dietary constraints (undue torture) that preclude otherwise.
Last time I went the staff were off-hand, even rude (very much in keeping with Andalucia) and I thought it was expensive, but I would go back.
I had Gambas al Ajillo (not what I was expecting, an interpretation, not much garlic at any rate); Navajas (the razor clams, cooked perfectly); Tortilla Española (I love the way they knock it up in front of you) and a copa of Tio Diego. Came in at a shade under 30 quid.
I was back at Barrafina two weeks ago and completely agree that the food is still going strong. It’s still one of my favorite restaurants in London, though I did have to queue for almost an hour and a half (on a Friday night). I’ll have to try going at lunchtime . . . a ten-minute wait sounds dreamy.
I love Barrafina as well but I agree it is quite hard to get into unless you are very organised about the time you get there.
Totally agree about people’s favs being a subjective one – but barrafina is definitely a crowd favourite, the cured tuna special does look yummy indeed – and I’m glad to see that they havent lost their touch.
I went not so long ago, also had the croquetas and lamb chops and loved every minute of it. I had heard that it gets extremely busy but turned up at 1.30 and there were a few stools free so just strode up. I was particularly impressed with the girl on “the pass”. She was meticulous and wouldnt let anything she considered substandard go out.
Sorry to ask such an odd question, but when you say “stools” does that mean all the seating in Barrafina is stools rather than chairs? I ask only because back problems make it hard for me to spend much on seats without back support. Which is a shame as Barrafina’s been on my list for a while and I’d love to visit!
Good to know your tip to arrive EARLY!
Fat Les – we girls don’t worry about diets when we eat! I could eat chips every day…
Justin – rude service and expensive, but you’d still go back! That must mean you believe the food is really worth it.
An American in London – ouch, that was a long wait. In fact, Charmaine and I could have just walked in at 12, but we preferred to wait ten minutes for Barrafina to open its door, just to be safe!
Gourmet Chick – makes it all the more special once you’re perched on that stool!
kang – we do share quite similar tastes, don’t we?!
tehbus – lucky you to just stride in at lunchtime!
Kavey – stools as in high bar stools (23 of them around the counter). There are two or three tables outside with chairs, which would be fine in warm weather. Good luck!
Helen Yuet Ling
Well, on the plus side, while you’re queuing, the Barrafina servers manage to start a tab for you . . . so we’re usually able to start drinking and nibbling on easy stuff like croquettes and jamon while we’re waiting. In other words, it’s not an hour-and-half spent starving. You’re effectively starting your meal while still on line. : )
I loved Barrafina when I went and I’m dying to go back again but wifey wants to try new places
I’m glad the quality is just as good as ever.
Wild Boar – I would go back to Barrafina any day! I know what your wife means about trying out new places and I put pressure on myself to keep trying new places, but I do have my favourites, and Barrafina is one of them.
Helen Yuet Ling