Small and, to be honest, not so perfectly formed – at least if you want to turn up without a reservation in expectation of a table – El Quijote’s compact nature at least lends itself to a certain homely sense for those who have managed to bag themselves a seat. Part of this intimacy comes from the feeling that you’re dining in someone’s front room, but even more is inspired by the genuine sense that you’re eating real, homespun Spanish cooking, an impression which is enhanced when you discover that the group of owners are from the country themselves.
The tapas-style dishes on offer veer from the familiar to the less well-known, from a selection of meats and cheeses (including serrano ham, Iberian chorizo, the Asturian blue cheese cabrales and the Cordoban los balanchares goat’s cheese) to regional specialities like traditional Andalucian fried cod and presa, a specific shoulder joint taken from Iberian pork pigs. Some of the foods are also unlike anything most diners may have experienced without actually visiting Spain, for example salmorejo, a kind of cream of tomato soup finished with ham and boiled egg, and Sancho, a baked comfort food experience featuring ratatouille, chorizo, ham and a fried egg. The dessert list isn’t as extensive, but doesn’t detract from a winningly authentic experience.