My taste buds went on a lovely little holiday during my recent dinner at El Norte, a modern Spanish restaurant nestled right in the heart of posh Mayfair. In a city that can often feel overwhelming, from the moment I stepped into this lively local gem, it felt like I was transported straight to the streets of Madrid for a tasteful fiesta.
With ambient lighting from low-hanging lamps, plush tufted poufs and vintage wine bottles illuminated along an Art Deco paneled wall, it’s the kind of place where you half expect to see someone puffing on a cigar. Despite the exclusive zip code, the environment did not feel at all pretentious, but instead felt cozy and welcoming.
The menu is divided into “small” and “large” portions. The culinary celebration began with a selection of classic Spanish tapas, starting with some perfectly salted padrón peppers, followed by the piece-de-resistance: pillowy soft goat cheese croquettes. Move over, all the other croquets – these are clearly London’s finest.
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This was followed by a seasonal vegetable paella of dreams – perfect for us vegetarian senoritas. In a final act of romance, our server brought out some yummy churros. Crispy Spanish donuts with an irresistible crunch that quickly gives way to a cloud-like interior. Dipping the fried delights into a ramekin of thick chocolate sauce was pure joy. But this is just a slice of what they have to offer – with options such as glazed Iberian pork, wild monkfish and a Wagyu burger.
However, El Norte is not the place to go if you are looking for a good value Spanish meal. It’s located in Mayfair, where normally I wouldn’t even need to sniff the air. For example, it was £31 for the Iberico pork and £59 for the paella – about what I could pay for a down payment on one of the Bentleys parked outside.
But El Norte had me positively swooning all evening. This little part of Spain rules. I will definitely return to get lost in El Norte’s passionate embrace again. ¡Olé!
In a city that can knock you down, El Norte is a decadent, rose-tinted escape to Spain via Mayfair. Let the aromas of cherry gazpacho, Joselito ham and sizzling meat transport you, even if it’s just for a few luxurious hours.
El Norte, 19-20 Dover St, London, W1S 4LU | 020 3154 8182 | [email protected] | el-norte.co.uk
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