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Tapas Brindisa

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18-20 Southwark Street, SE1 1TJ Full details & map

Restaurant: Spanish

 

Time Out says   11 Users say 4/5 Rate it

Posted: Oct 20 2011

The upsurge in Spanish food quality in London since the 1990s can in part be dated from the arrival in Borough Market of food importers Brindisa, bringing first-rate Iberian hams, cheeses and other essentials to the city almost for the first time. The firm's showcase tapas restaurants are equally a benchmark. In early 2011, star chef José Pizarro left to start José, but we haven't noticed any drop in standards, so you'll still find an ideal blend of superb ingredients and refined cooking (the latter normally confined to larger dishes).

At the original Brindisa in Borough Market, 'black rice' (cooked with squid in its ink, with unusually fragrant aïoli) had a superbly smooth flavour, without any acridity; ham croquettes gained extra depth from the quality of the meat. Padrón peppers (Galician peppers simply fried and salted) exemplified wonderful produce being allowed to shine. The style is easy going, prices very reasonable - though inescapably higher for delicacies such as the finest Ibérico meats. Wines are sophisticated and priced accordingly.

The only drawback is that it's often impossible to get a seat at the Borough and Soho branches, as there's no booking; fortunately, South Ken's Casa Brindisa does now take reservations.

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Tapas Brindisa details

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Address

Tapas Brindisa

18-20 Southwark Street SE1 1TJ

Transport London Bridge tube/rail

Telephone

020 7357 8880

Tapas Brindisa website

Tapas served 11am-3pm, 5.30-11pm Mon-Thur; 9-11am, noon-4pm, 5.30-11pm Fri, Sat; noon-10pm Sun

Tapas £4-£12.90

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 8, pavement ), Babies and children admitted, Bookings not accepted, Disabled ( toilet )

Tapas Brindisa map

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Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 11 ratings)

By Fin - Mar 21 2012
2/5

While the quality of the food is generally good (Chorizo on toast, Gambas etc) the bill can get eyewateringly obese if you add in a decent bottle of wine. Their charcuterie plate is odiously expensive. Sorry but £95 for 6 assorted snacks and a few glasses of wine does not cut it anymore with lacklustre service and an extended wait for a table. Will not be going back.

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By Luis - Mar 10 2012

I did love this place before, NOT any more, Rude staff and poor quality food. Five stars in Time Out. NO Way.

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By eoa - Jan 23 2012

i love this resteraunt lovvvvve it

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By lucy - Jan 23 2012

aawesome

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By SS - Dec 13 2011

I like the atmosphere and buzz here although I admit that the wait for a table is at times frustrating. The food is excellent - my favourite dish is the deep friend goat's cheese awith honey nd I always enjoy the gambas pil pil. It's not cheap though - expect to pay £65 approx for a light meal for two people - that's sharing 4-5 dishes and a bottle of the second cheapest red, compared to about £45 for the same quantity of food in the nearby Jose.

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Mark McGinlay
By Mark - Sep 2 2011
5/5

Love this place, great food and great setting 5/5

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By Dr. Peter Dickens - Jun 28 2011
2/5

I went to this restaurant on good recommendation.
A pleasant meal was spoilt by the following-
Mussels dish. Four out of twelve mussels were completely closed. We ate the eight good ones and asked the waitress about the other four. She said she would replace them. After a long wait nothing happened and when asked again she said she had spoken to the kitchen who didn't feel they needed to provide four mussels as we had eaten the other eight!
I didnt want to make further fuss and embarrass my guests.
I settled the £90 bill for a very light meal for three and left feeling that their lack of grace was not becoming for a restaurant in your guide.
I have used your guide to locate some fantastic restaurants in London and Rome.
Apart from tonight it has been spot on.
Kind regards
Dr. Peter Dickens

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Alex Simmons
By Alex - Jun 23 2011
4/5

Excellent, their modern take on tapas is unlike anything else I have sampled in the city

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By tp - Apr 2 2011
4/5

I thought the food was fantastic!

Typically the spanish are known for their love of meat and typically you would not see much vegetarian food on the menu in most resaurants in spain, so I think to mark the restaurant down for this single critisism is a little unfair.

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By helen - Mar 22 2011
1/5

Still great Brindisa food but appaling service from every single member of staff and I'm a pretty easygoing diner. Disappointed to be taking it off my list of places to eat.

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By Ian - Feb 21 2011

Heartily recommended. Food is absolutely fantastic. Went along with three Sevillians (wife and in-laws) plus my daughter. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the service was excellent too (in-laws said it was the best tapas they've had outside of Spain and rivalled many in Seville - the home of tapas). Would go there every day if I could.

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By somewhere in london - Feb 3 2011

expensive, average food and rude staff

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By Joyce Deary House - Apr 26 2010

Living on the postcode and attraction to "foodies" of borough market. Definitely a "come in, sit down, what do you want, eat it and get out fast" place.

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By Ann Youern - Apr 26 2010

Virtually nothing for vegetarians - too many meat dishes, not enough fish. Very noisy and rushed service - they removed the table mats within seconds of finishing! This must be the most expensive fast food place I know.

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