La Bodega Negra

Restaurants

Restaurants and cafés

16 Moor Street

La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out
La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out
La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out
La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out
La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out
La Bodega Negra

Scott Wishart / Time Out

La Bodega Negra

Michael Franke / Time Out

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Time Out says

Thu Oct 18 2012

Beneath a lurid Soho shopfront, ablaze with neon signs screeching ‘sex shop’, is a new transatlantic import – the London outpost of the NYC-based La Esquina, an ultra-trendy downtown café-taqueria. As at La Esquina, La Bodega Negra is an upstairs-downstairs affair; the ground-level café (entrance on Moor Street) serves tacos, tostaditas and quesadillas, and mains such as huevos rancheros (ranch-style eggs) with black beans. The downstairs restaurant and bar (entrance in Old Compton Street) is where the main action happens – a vaulted space with intimate nooks, moody lighting, and décor that makes its own entertainment.

The most eye-catching space is what’s been dubbed the puppet room, lined with an incredible cardboard edge-of-the city landscape, created by Shoreditch set designer Eden, dotted with Day of the Dead Barbies and hung with wooden chairs. Elsewhere creative directors Serge Becker and Jason Volenec have installed such talking points as a grand piano upended and used as a room divider, a mirrored alcove, denim seat coverings, and anatomical posters, stockinged and suspendered and adorned with Mexican wrestling masks. It’s sexy but not scary, thrilling but relaxing.

As in the café, there’s a selection of tacos (our prawn and jicama version, in a crunchy, flavourful shell, was properly punchy) and tostaditas (such as moreish tuna with smoky chipotle and avocado). The menu extends to mains such as steaks and grills, and nicely spiced chicken paillard with pumpkin seeds, served with a green moat of pumpkin seed oil. The food is more akin to Mexican-American. And it’s spicy; many of the hundreds of types of chilli in Mexico put in an appearance here – raw in feisty salsas and slow-cooked in stews. The well-made margaritas make good tongue-tamers and fans of Mexican spirits will be in awe of the impressive list of tequilas and mezcals.

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Venue location

Address:
La Bodega Negra 16 Moor Street
London
W1D 5NH

Phone:
020 7758 4100
Website:
www.labodeganegra.com
Opening hours:
Café-bar Open noon-1am Mon-Sat; noon-11.30pm Sun. Meals served noon-midnight Mon-Sat; noon-11pm Sun. Main courses £8-£12. Restaurant-bar Open 6pm-1am Mon-Sat; 6-11.30pm Sun. Meals served 6pm-midnight Mon-Sat; 6-10.30pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Leicester Square tube
Price:
Main courses £12-£16. Meal for two with drinks and service: around £65
Map
1. La Bodega Negra
  - 16 Moor Street
    London
    W1D 5NH
  - 020 7758 4100
  - www.labodeganegra.com
  - 51.513511,-0.129848

Facilities:
Restaurant and bar facilities. Bookings not accepted. Accessible facilities. General facilities. Private rooms
Occasions:
Late night
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(36 ratings)

As we entered we were stopped by an abrupt man at the door and informed that we could not go down stairs unless we were dining or having a drink. Fair enough ,,,we already felt unwelcome by his bullish approach so we backed out, We only had half and hour so said we would go back another time. A friendly female host enticed us back in. As we sat at the bar the music was unbearably loud and we realized we were never going to be able to have a conversation so would revisit when we had more time. The door man stopped us leaving and barked in our faces ' I TOLD YOU YOU COULDNT JUST HAVE A LOOK AND YOU DIDNT LISTEN TO ME" he continued to shout this into our faces as we stood there horrified as other guests walked in he continued ' GET OUT...GO ON BOTH OF YOU AND DONT COME BACK' spitting with rage as he shoved us out, i asked for his name ' DEREK IS MY NAME IM THE GENERAL MANAGER'. We would never go back if they paid us and having worked in the restaurant world for 21yrs found this character to be an embarrassment to our profession. Real shame this place has someone clueless running it.

youknowme Thu Mar 21
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s we entered we were stopped by an abrupt man at the door and informed that we could not go down stairs unless we were dining or having a drink. Fair enough ,,,we already felt unwelcome by his bullish approach so we backed out, We only had half and hour so said we would go back another time. A friendly female host enticed us back in. As we sat at the bar the music was unbearably loud and we realized we were never going to be able to have a conversation so would revisit when we had more time. The door man stopped us leaving and barked in our faces ' I TOLD YOU YOU COULDNT JUST HAVE A LOOK AND YOU DIDNT LISTEN TO ME" he continued to shout this into our faces as we stood there horrified as other guests walked in he continued ' GET OUT...GO ON BOTH OF YOU AND DONT COME BACK' spitting with rage as he shoved us out, i asked for his name ' DEREK IS MY NAME IM THE GENERAL MANAGER'. We would never go back if they paid us and having worked in the restaurant world for 21yrs found this character to be an embarrassment to our profession. Real shame this place has someone clueless running it.

youknowme Thu Mar 21
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Food was lovely especially the ceviche, frozen margaritas were good - but a little small for £10. Decor in the basement is cool - fairly original but unfortunately it does not make up for the ridiculous price of food and drink. After two margaritas I asked the waiter if the white wines on the menu were dry he replied that the two cheapest taste disgusting but didn't suggest or recommend any others... So I had a coffee and finished up! Great music but they seem to think they are more original than they actually are!

Sarah Thu Feb 28
Rated as: 2/5
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its my third visit now, and, everytime, we are looking after very well ever. Food is amazing, you have to try their tacos and ceviche, best in town by far. Cocktails are delightful and the place itself is must-to-see.

Simon Tue Feb 26
Rated as: 5/5
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Fantastic plce, great vibe, friendly staff and amazing food. Best tacos in town, proper Mexican food. Great cocktails. We will be back in droves!!!!

James Tue Feb 26
Rated as: 5/5
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I had my birthday here last week in the puppet room. The interior is amazing, the cocktails were fabulous, and the music was great. The staff couldn't have helped more. There were 25 of us in the room, we had our own lovely waitress. We had pre-ordered a set menu which included delicious tender lamb, loads of tacos, ceviches and really good pork belly . They also let me bring a cake in. The waitress bought out pitchers of margaritas and buckets of beers for everyone. I couldn't have wished for a more fun evening.

Natasha Tue Feb 26
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had dinner at la bodegra negra last night , fantastica , food was really good , the staff where helpfull and really fun , cocktails were amazing too, didnt realise how nice tequlia based cocktails could be . soooo going back . recomend it for sure . cant wait till next week when ill try the resturant

LC Mon Feb 25
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Go there!!! and manage to get at least one portion of Pork Belly tacos!!! Its to die for!!! Great service and frozen margaritas!! A MUST in London!!

Dan G Mon Feb 25
Rated as: 5/5
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AMAZING food and a FANTASTIC atmosphere! Soft shell crab taco's are to die for and the drunken lamb was devine. The waiter who looked after us couldnt have done any more. Already booked another table.

D . . . Mon Feb 25
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A smart looking place, but with average food and poor service, it's also fairly expensive. I'd award 2.5 stars if I could, but not 3!

Will Sat Feb 23
Rated as: 2/5
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La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra

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