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Pizarro
London
Remember what we said in our profile of Jose? That most tapas bars in the capital, with seats and – gasp – table service, weren’t really tapas bars at all? That may hold true for Jose Pizarro’s latest restaurant (inventively named Pizarro) but that doesn’t mean the cooking isn’t to the same level.
The new restaurant is located very close to its sibling, and though it now comes with seats and tables, it also operates a no-bookings policy and has a high turnover. Theoretically, this should work, but again, such is its popularity that waits can often be long. But worry not, brave South London explorer – as you enter into the spirit of things, grab a glass of deliciously aged sherry and navigate a pastime alien and awkward to most Londoners – engaging in banter with the guy next to you in the queue.
Well, attempts at social integration might not always be successful. But the food is very likely to be. Because we’re talking sit-down dinners now, the kitchen can afford to be a little more inventive, although this is still tapas territory. A beetroot-cured salmon dish with capers and a perfectly, spherical soft egg yolk seems unconventional, but makes sense when you pierce the yolk and run it through the delicious mess with a fork – wonderfully revelatory. A dish of earthy butternut squash is cut with the sharp tang of blue cheese and a sprinkling of crunchy-sweet pomegranate, while tapas favourites – jamons, chilli and garlic shrimp, oozing croquetas – are all accounted for.
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 15:00 & 18:00 - 23:00, Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00, Sunday: 12:00 - 22:00, Bar open daily.