Fino

Fino is no ordinary “shovel it in and off tapas”, but a sophisticated spanish joint which is first class right from the front door. Traditionally we start with a glass of Manzanilla and Padron peppers - always in anticipation of that fiery friend striking out to bite when least expected. I always dine with my partner, always requesting the same table. This will remain a secret for now as I don’t want everyone jumping on the spanish band-wagon, as it were. The room is littered with wooden tables and pristine white walls laced with unusual artistry. The restaurant and the bars are always crowded, with a friendly, jovial atmosphere. The waiters and managers alike, mainly Spanish, are attentive to your every need. You show the enthusiasm and they will offer you a warm, friendly service. If you've not tried this restaurant yet and you're a fan of the finest Tapas, or simply fans of the owners Sam and Eddie Hart - give this place a go. Wonderful ingredients cooked simply, with absolute precision. On our last visit we started with the wind dried beef, bread and some very young “grassy” spanish olive oil, leaving our tastebuds wanting more. Then followed ham croquetas, scrumptious scallop cerviche, grilled quail, squid with pancetta in an umptuous ink sauce and a refreshing beetroot and picos cheese salad. An exquisite bottle of Gran Riserva Rioja 904 on the side with a sensational Santiago tart for the finale. Exceedingly expensive, but worth every penny. So come, let yourself be lured by these sexy, succulent, Spanish savories.

I had a meal in this restaurant last week and while it was not bad, I am amazed that Time Out rates it as the best Spanish in London especially when prices versus partion sizes is taken into account. We are talking fine dining prices (we paid 170 pounds for 2 with small carafe of white and decent bottle of red wine) for what is effectively posh tapas bar. None of the dishes (apart from scalop ceviche) were poor and some like octopus with capers quite nice, but again none of our 8 dishes fully justified the prices paid. I agree that decor and layout is testful and modern but you are still siting in windowless basement. While red wine recommended by Somellier would be acceptable for 30-35 pound a bottle, it was well overpriced at 50 pounds. Small Carafe of white at 16 pounds (i.e. 32 pounds per bottle) was bordering on a joke. I had better in many restaurants for half that. In view of other people comments about the service, I was plesently surprised. Our waitress was attentive but not overbearing, so this aspect was commensurate with the prices charged. I thouught long and hard about rating this venue and considering just food quality, service and ambience, it probably deserves 3 stars. However in view of very overpriced wine list, the value rating has to drop to 2 stars.

Don't believe the hype. Very mediocre food, overpriced, boring corporate atmosphere, uninspiring.

Won't be coming back. All the dishes were incredibly salty and the belly of pork was bland and tasteless. We should have sent the stuff back. The wine was good, but that's about it.

Will not be coming back. Went there for lunch today and ALL dishes were average at best with two of them well below average. The tortilla was completely runny with live eggs. The crispy pig belly had a strong after taste and the skin was chewy and sticky with a toffee like consistency. A MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT!

have been three or four times - always full and atmosphere buzzy - nicely designed decor and lighting - delicious high-class tapas - not cheap but a treat every time - easily my first choice in Charlotte Street area

A fun school reunion was our plan for fino. Our booking was made for 9 pm and although we showed up on time we were asked to wait at the bar until our table was ready. We ordered cocktails, which were refreshing but tasted like they had no alcohol. We were finally shown to our table at 9:40. After placing our order and waiting for a long time we finally received some croquetas (which were very tasty) and a bread basket with 4 pieces of bread in it. We had been told by the waitress serving us that each portion had 3 pieces and we had ordered 2 portions, so when we asked about the missing 2 pieces the prompt reply given to us was that it did not matter as we were only 4 people on the table!!! After waiting for another 20 minutes we were told that the tuna tartar that we had ordered was unavailable. We then asked if we could have the rest of our food, which only resulted in the waitress bringing out our printed food order and asked us what we had received so far. We ordered a bottle of wine so make the wait easier, which came to us after we asked about it on 2 separate occasions. We were then told that they were taking last orders so would we like any more food, definitely a dilemma if you have not been served 80% of the food already ordered. On complaining we were told that the food was on its way which we did eventually get plate by plate with a long gap between each, except for the pimientos de padron peppers which were forgotten!! We conveyed our disappointment to a very understanding manager who knocked off the service charge and 10% of the bill. This however did little to ease the disappointment of the evening. Although the food was nice (except the overcooked rajor clams) I don’t think it warranted the prices on the menu or the service received.

My girlfriend and I desided to go to Fino for our anniversary after watching the program with Gordon Ramsey. I am Spanish and therefore I was really ecxited about the idea of finally finding a decent Spanish restaurant in London that would suit my spectations. Unfortunately, it was a very dissapointing experience. It is extremely over priced!! the bill came to be £100, which we were ready to pay but NEVER for the following things: Staff was nice but not worth £100 (it has come to my ears that Fino is one of those clever restaurants that keep the tips coming from credit cards!! terrible..), the food was a joke, we paid around £4 for two croquetas!! TWO! and £6.80 for three silk thin slices of Manchego!! £4 for two slices of bread!! I mean it can't get more ridiculous than that... I couldn't wait for my main as I was pretty hungry after our starter feast! guess what? another dissapointment, I ordered Crisp Pork Belly for £14 to received a plate that was as small as the starters! the meet was nice but snowed in pieces of salt that I could take out of my mouth with my fingers, in addition, I had to pay for a porcion of chips as it just comes alone, in its small plate.... funny thing is that everything I ordered was recommended by the waiter, I don't want to imagine otherwise... In conclusion, never again, not recommended and the most important... real thiefs, to the customers and to the staff... hahaha, good luck!