Pizarro, Bermondsey Street

I have already experienced Jose Pizarro's culinary expertise at his lovely little tapas bar ‘Jose’ on Bermondsey Street . A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to return to his magical world of Spanish food to try his newest venture, ‘Pizarro’, just down the road from his first restaurant. It is named not after him, but after his grandfather who had a bar called Pizarro in Talaván, Jose dedicates the restaurant to his memory.

With this sit-down establishment, the chef intends to offer the same style of authentic, delicious Spanish food but in a more formal setting. Much like ‘Jose’ the cuisine still encourages sharing but with larger more substantial dishes to share. Long communal tables, and picturesque window spaces seat forty, it is rustic yet a stylish place to dine.

Jose adores sherries and cavas, the wine list is made up of only the best, carefully sourced and selected. I had a glass of delicious crisp white wine which complemented the meal perfectly.

The menu is short and sweet as it should be, a variety of Spanish recipes using the freshest seasonal ingredients. As ever Jose's dishes are composed perfectly, without too much bread or carbohydrate; his food is substantial and hearty without being too filling. We were first given bite-size pieces of hard cauliflower dressed in simple but delicious olive oil and crunchy sea salt.

To start we ordered a few of the smaller tapas sized portions. A plate of Jamon Iberico Manuel Maldonado, the most special and extravagant Spanish meat you could ever hope to try; Quail which was absolutely divine, a lovely little bird cooked so it was crispy on the outside and soft and fleshy inside. It was served with Romesco, a classic Spanish sauce, a sort of thick orange paste with a vibrant flavour, made from roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic and tomatoes. I wasn’t as keen on the Duck livers with capers and fino (the driest and palest traditional variety of sherry); although the flavour was rich and sensual I found the meat too slippery, and visually the dish wasn’t very attractive.

Iberico pork cheeks with olive oil mash was the most luxurious dish: the meat was rich and melted in the mouth from lengthy cooking in heavenly wine and juices. Paired with magically unique mash, it was irresistible. The lamb with lentils and radicchio was my favourite though, intensely flavoured meat still slightly pink in the middle with a caramelised crispy edge, the addition of fresh chicory-like radicchio and lentils made it the perfect dish.

The desserts are inventive and creative, we chose the pear sorbet with cava and the chocolate toast with hazelnut ice cream. The glass of floating sorbet in fizzy liquid looked like a quizzical experiment, it was refreshing, if a little bizarre, a sweet soup with fun straws poking out the top. It would be a lovely light summer pudding. The crunchy and smooth, sweet and salty chocolate ensemble was a treat: soft dark chocolate mousse served on toast, a dollop of ice-cream with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of rock salt, it was an interesting mix of tastes and textures.

When I asked the modest chef what was next he replied, "nothing, I have all I ever imagined and wanted", now he deserves some time just to stand back and enjoy his two exceptional restaurants. Jose Pizarro brings better Spanish food to London than any other, he should be very proud.

Restaurant: Mon-Fri 12 – 3 for lunch, 6 – 11 for dinner. Sat 12-11. Sun 12-10.

Bar open all day.

Pizarro


194 Bermondsey Street


London

SE1 3TQ

No reservations, except for the private room. Visit the Jose Pizarro website here.

Three5 World Tapas, Restaurant, South Kensington

Three5 World Tapas is based in MyHotel Chelsea, a restaurant for overnight guests but also open to the public wishing to dine. Firstly I must mention the name is, in my opinion, dreadful... It is impossible to remember or understand. After investigation, I am guessing that is corresponds to the street number of the hotel, which is 35.

The restaurant space is small and cosy and has an informal vibe. We started with cocktails - I had the refreshing watermelon martini, my friend chose the classic mojito. Food is split into: ‘smaller bites’, ‘larger bites’ and ‘the classics’. We ordered an assortment of smaller and larger bites acting as starter and main. Our waitress recommended a total of about ten plates; we took her advice, and a banquet arrived. I was relieved to see other tables tackling similar quantities of food… for once I didn’t look like the greediest diner!

The food was comforting though the majority was quite oily and heavy. We picked at the various canape-like dishes. My favourite was the zucchini frittata: thin and crispy courgette slivers coated in light salty batter - devilishly delicious. The bruschetta was good, with a thick slice of creamy mozzarella and flavoursome basil. Arancini were a bit of a let down, served with fragrant saffron sauce, these rice balls were tasteless with an unpleasant gritty texture.

For second course we were brought a selection of larger sharing plates, slightly more substantial dishes less easy to eat with your fingers. The house salad was beautifully presented - a mass of fresh peppery rocket with yummy sun dried tomatoes, soft parmesan and a splash of sweet balsamic vinegar… I appreciated having some greenery in contrast to the rich meat choices. Melanzane a la Parmigiana was disappointing especially as this Italian aubergine and tomato recipe is usually a winner with me. It was again too heavy with too much bread, ruining the other flavours and making it soggy. Fish cakes and celeriac salad went down well with my guest, fresh well seasoned fish, soft inside with a crispy outside. The herb marinated lamb cutlets were a little tough and arrived on an unnecessary lump of mashed potato.

Puddings however exceeded all expectations, dense creme brulee cheesecake and light and divine lemon posset with passion fruit thick whipped cream. Both were delicious, but the citrusy posset really was a lovely combination of flavours and textures. Chatting away, with our fresh mint teas, it was nice to pick at these desserts at our leisure, no rush, no pressure.

Three5 offers world cuisine inspired tapas: a fusion of flavours in small portions ideal for sharing. The food isn’t spectacular but for a relaxed, affordable meal Three5 is a pleasant place to dine.

Visit THREE5 WORLD TAPAS website here.

Jose, Tapas and Sherry Bar, Bermondsey

On typing 'Jose, Bermonsey Street' into Google a long list of glowing reviews appeared, so to say expectations were high is an understatement. Having visited London Bridge the previous night I began to understand the area better and was excited to explore the foodie scene here.

I love corner shops and have always desired one myself, so the tiny detail of Jose being located on a Bermondsey Street corner delighted me. Everyone natters away in Spanish, the atmosphere is truly lovely and echoes the casual eating style of Spain and the Med. A tiny place, stools cover every inch of floor and there are always diners hovering eyeing up the tempting array of fresh fish and meat presented on the front counter.

Jose Pizarro is unlike the chef stereotype: he is gentle, friendly and relaxed, he cooks and tours around his restaurant chatting. He was a Chef Partner at the hugely popular Tapas Brindisa in London's Borough Market and in 2008 opened two tapas restaurants, in Soho and South Kensington, both to critical acclaim.

Lucky for me, Jose was in the kitchen when I visited on a Tuesday lunchtime and he took time out to talk about and explain the food to me, personally choosing a menu of his best dishes for me to try. The knowledgeable waitress then paired the plates with exemplary wine choices, including sherry to start and dessert wine to finish. It is a very genuine environment, with an authentic Spanish tapas bar feel, a simple concept which Jose Pizarro mentioned had always been his dream to create, and boy, has he succeeded.

While waiting for my friend, I was treated to some spiced broad beans, dangerously moreish and served in a cute jar. The food that followed was exceptional, absolutely delicious and made with care and devotion. Jose chose everything for us, explaining the dish's origin, the region of Spain it hails from and his personal take on the flavours and style of traditional tapas. We were treated first to finely sliced deep red Iberico ham, oily and rich in flavour it matched the accompanying dry wine perfectly.

Specials are written daily on the board featuring the freshest seasonal produce and unique recipes. We were treated to the delectable Scottish razor clams with chorizo, so fresh and beautifully presented that I couldn't help but try a tiny mouthful despite my serious fish dislike.

Then came juicy prawns with chilli and garlic followed by pork meatballs served in a sweet tomato sauce and a rich, spicy chorizo and lentils dish. The Iberico pork fillet was the finest meat with a smoky taste and a little kick of spice. For the heavier main dishes we tasted the Iberico pork cheeks with sweet potato mash, and intense and delicious beef fillet and onion cheese on toast.

The array of wines is impressive, the selection chosen for us was expert. The 2006 Cal Pla red worked well with the red meat dishes, while the light fruity white 2010 Castel de Bouza Albarino matched the delicate seafood. After an absolute feast, we gorged on the simple Chocolate mousse, smooth and airy, creamy but not too rich, and were made thankfully strong lattes.

Bermondsey Street is a hidden gem. A nearby antiques market is temptingly signposted and many nice pubs and shops surround the restaurant, among my favourite finds were a couture collar shop for your precious pets, and a best of British gift shop. Irritatingly the new White Cube Gallery round the corner was closed when I visited Jose, so I couldn't tick that off my blogging to do list just yet.

In a thriving city where lovely restaurants are plentiful, I am always on the look out for those rarer independent eateries that go above and beyond, Jose is one such restaurant... undeniably exceptional food, and unforgettable character, it is a memorable outing especially if you meet the great chef himself.

Visit the Jose website here for more information.

Tendido Cero, Tapas Restaurant, South Kensington

The other day my lovely friend took me out for lunch to one of his favourite tapas restaurants in London, Tendido Cero. Having lost my appetite recently he insisted this would revitalise my palate, and knew I wouldn’t be able to resist the little plates of goodness. Part of a family of three Spanish restaurants on Old Brompton Road, this is apparently the best. Despite turning up rather late for lunch, they managed to squeeze us in and took our order immediately. The front windows were open and the sun was blazing in.

Cambio de Tercio across the road is much smarter and more expensive, at Tendido Cero the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and I got the overwhelming feeling of being somewhere where everyone just really enjoys food. I left the choosing entirely in the capable hands of my friend who ordered in impressively fluent Spanish.

I am a big fan of Spanish meats: chorizo, Iberico pork... at Tendido we tried a delicious plate of charcuterie, which was quite tough but deliciously flavoured. The Spanish cheeses with membrillo were wonderful too, with a big chunk of my favourite, Manchego as well as some intriguing soft cheeses. For fish lovers there are lots of enticing options, my companion ordered the Galicean octopus with potatoes and paprika and the Garlic prawns cooked in garlic, olive oil and chillies. Although I couldn’t bring myself to try the seafood, I tried the salty oily sauce with my bread and it was, I must admit, divine. Lots of sparkling water and fresh bread accompanied our light lunch.

I can’t say I loved Tendido Cero quite as much as my very favourite tapas restaurant, Opera Tavern, but this is certainly authentic tapas of a very high standard.

Visit the website and book here.

Opera Tavern Restaurant

Tapas is a tricky style of cooking to get right. I rarely feel satisfied by it, too greasy, or bland, and little variation. However I must congratulate ‘Opera Tavern’ for cracking the problem with their supreme menu of delightful dishes. The restaurant is located in Covent Garden amongst the theatres, and opened in January, only a few months ago. They already have a keen following and are fully booked most nights. Get there early to snatch one of the first-come-first-served bar places, which is how I managed to eat here a few nights ago.

The mini Iberico pork and fois gras burger seems to be the most enticing treat on the menu - I’ve read reviews that only talk about this signature dish! It is absolutely sensational, arranged in a little toasted bun with sweet onions, a lettuce leaf and a touch of creamy aioli... I devoured it within seconds. It is always best to have too little, and be left wanting more - Opera Tavern’s mini burgers left me wanting so much more I had to order another after finishing the main course.

Other divine dishes include: chargrilled chicken with chorizo, curly kale and Jerusalem artichokes... a delicious mix of fresh ingredients, stacked in sizzling red chorizo jus. Spring green vegetables with ricotta gnocchi, wild garlic pesto and pinenuts is a healthy accompaniment that is packed full of flavour and contrasting textures. We also enjoyed the fried young artichokes with poached egg and a smoked garlic and shallot vinaigrette. Each plate is small, and costs about £5/6 so you can have as few or many as you want. Be warned, you WILL get serious food envy as you watch other choices being delivered to adjacent diners.

I was quite full after our selection of savouries, but too tempted by the dessert menu to resist so my companion and I shared the pannacotta with Clementine sorbet and blood orange granita. It was without doubt the best dessert I have ever tasted (I have tasted a LOT of desserts). Beautifully presented in a glass with curly, icing sugar dusted biscuits to accompany. The silky homemade pannacotta is flavoured lightly with vanilla pod and is creamy without feeling to heavy and rich. On top sits a delicate ball of melting pale orange sorbet, sweet with a touch of citrus, shards of brighter red granita sparkling through, a unique and exceptional combination.

When we left at 7.30 the sun was still shining bright, so we strolled back to the car and reminisced about the perfect evening. I absolutely loved everything about Opera Tavern, I think it might just become my new pre-theatre hang out.

Visit website and book here.

Things to do in Barcelona

I have always been very strict with myself about my blog, making sure I pretty much only write about things to do in London. But after several trips away, I have decided to allow myself the occasional post about foreign cities, partly because I want to write about my fun experiences, but also because I think it could help others and be a sort of mini guide.

So, most recently I went to Barcelona. I’ve never been to Spain before, surprisingly, and I always love ticking off another country on my ‘to do’ travelling list, so was very excited about this visit. Long weekends away are the way forward, a welcome break from work and a refreshing time-out from everyday London life. I am going to try and do them more, even if it is just for one night.

We were staying in the luxurious five star Miramar Hotel, and got a very reasonable deal thanks to my work part-owning the establishment. I could easily have not left the building for the three days happy to gorge myself on the extensive breakfasts, use the wonderful gym and spa facilities and generally just hang out in the beautiful bedroom. The weather wasn’t perfect with quite a bit of rain and I considered sunbathing in bikini and wellies, but eventually decided against the idea.

We were in Barcelona for three nights, and I was pleased to find this was enough time to see rather a lot of the city. After a lazy first night, trying out the room service and pressing all the exciting buttons in the bedroom, we set off for a fun-packed first day which we completed with a visit to the Liceu Opera House (how could I resist seeing Carmen in Spain!).

Things you should do in Barcelona:

- * Go to The Picasso Museum: a massive collection of this master’s work from his very early paintings to late ceramics, and everything in between. About 9 Euros entrance, give yourself a good hour to look round.

- * The stunning Cathedral is definitely worth the five Euro entrance fee. The biggest Cathedral I’ve ever been to, I felt drowned in its splendour. You can even take a little lift up to see the views from the roof.

- * Walk up The Ramblas and marvel at the street performers, some freakish, some quite beautiful. They definitely give the Covent Garden clowns a run for their money.

- * The best tapas can be found at Cerveceria Catalana on C/ Mallorca - go early, they are always full (even in October it was tricky to get a table). It's not cheap, but they have an excellent selection of tapas on offer and a huge variety of beer. Very yummy.

- * Attempt the metro: it is super cheap (just over one Euro a journey) and very efficient. We saved a fortune using it, rather than taxis.

- * Make your way down to the seaside, book a table at Agua (very popular, very good fish restaurant) and then go for an after supper stroll on the beach, the perfect evening in all seasons.

- * Try and see some Gaudi architecture (see image above), but avoid the hideous touristy crowds (Park Guell has some of the best examples of his work, but tends to be completely overcrowded and therefore offputting).

- * Wander the streets aimlessly and see what you find, be sure to stop at the stalls of handmade goodies, perfect for presents or little Barcelona souvenirs.

Our stay came and went in a flash, and before I could say ‘sangria’ we were back on our Easyjet flight to Gatwick.