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Dehesa

25 Ganton Street, W1F 9BP Full details & map

Restaurant: Mediterranean

Time Out says 3 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Sep 17 2010

Dehesa is in an area so artificially funky that you fear for its soul. No need. Once you've elbowed your way through the Ganton Street crowds, you'll find a venue that's stylish and pleasant but fully focused on the plate and in the glass.

The back of the menu is a paean to the pig, in Spanish and Italian derivations, offering hams on and off the bone, including an entry-level, acorn-fed jamón ibérico. There are a few cheeses, too, mixing the expected (manchego) with the wider-ranging (torta de barros).

But we found most pleasure in the tapas menu, which pushes genre expectations with such dishes as prettily presented saffron-cured sea trout with spiced aubergine, quails' eggs and beetroot dressing; and squid with grilled chorizo salad, pickled red onions and guindilla chillies. On the simpler side, a classic tortilla was just the right mix of textures.

The wine list is pricey, with only a couple of bottles under £20. But we're arguing range not value: our Mallorcan Macia rosé was knowledgeably selected and worth its £28. The comfortable, brown-hued room is dominated by a couple of long tables that you'll be asked to share - and vacate after two hours, at busy times. Capable, friendly staff generate a congenial enough atmosphere for this not to feel a chore. Alternatively, in good weather you can escape to the pleasant pavement tables.

Salt Yard, arranged over two compact floors in Fitzrovia, is Dehesa's older sister, offering a similar selection of well-considered Spanish/Italian food and wine. It's popular with a sophisticated office crowd.

Tags: European, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, Creative cooking, Hip factor, People watching, Wines, Central, Soho, Mid-range, Tapas, Restaurant

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Dehesa details

Address

Dehesa

25 Ganton Street W1F 9BP

Transport Oxford Circus tube

Telephone

020 7494 4170

Dehesa website

Tapas served noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-5pm Sun

Tapas £3.75-£10.50

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 8, pavement ), Babies and children admitted, Booking advisable ( dinner ), Separate room for parties ( seats 12 )

Dehesa map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 3 ratings)

By Carolyn - Feb 18 2012

5/5

We happened upon this restaurant and were completely surprised by just how stunning the food was...we had no expectations but after reading the menu, I suspected that it was going to be something more than your basic tapas. We had the sardines, the pork belly & the chorizo amongst others and each one was fabulous. Service was spot on, relaxed & friendly, would recommend anyone to go there. £50 for 2, plenty of food and a few drinks included in that. Impressed!

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By HarryP25 - Feb 14 2012

5/5

Hugely impressed by this lovely little restaurant. The food is stunning, and very reasonably priced. Staff are welcoming and friendly. Six tapas dishes were perfect between the two of us, and they were all delicious. I would recommend booking as it is a small restaurant, with limited tables. Will definitely be visiting again.

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By Whatkathydid - Mar 6 2011

4/5

Delicious!! Interesting little dishes e.g. pheasant with hazelnut risotto & balsamic reduction or goats cheese-stuffed courgette flowers in tempura, drizzled with honey. Yum. Expensive wine and rather paultry cheeseboard (no crackers!), and a bizarrely runny tortilla (supposed to be like that according to the waiter) give it 4 stars rather than 5. Well worth a punt. £35 each including one glass of wine.

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By jraya - Nov 17 2010

I love tapas and this is by far the best tapas restaurant I've eaten at in London--perhaps anywhere, including Barcelona. I've been to livelier spots (though it was a Tuesday night), but I was blown away by the food. Inventive, well portioned and absolutely delicious.

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By K H - May 3 2010

Had a lovely lunch here. Although it is a very small venue and we were asked to wait - not much room in the restaurant so we waited outside in the rain - not the best start! But once we got inside we were made very welcome. The staff knew the wine and food very well. The food came in good time.
The octopus was a little tasteless and the Ducks liver very sweet and mostly onion.
But apart from this had an exceptional meal - highly recommend the pigeon and the pork belly!
Desserts up to standard as well, rhubarb and panna cotta was beautiful, although my favourite was the apple fritattas with amaretto ice cream.
All in all for 5 hungry people having desserts and a bottle of wine came to about £25/head - very reasonable indeed. Will go back.