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Sam and
Eddie Hart - owners of Fino, London's leading Spanish restaurant -
have now opened Barrafina in Soho's Frith Street. The tapas bar has a
no reservations policy and seats 23 customers at its counter, opening
from Monday to Saturday, noon until midnight.
Barrafina
provides stylish surroundings in which to enjoy great Spanish tapas,
wines and sherries at a reasonable price - as inspired by Sam and
Eddie's love of Spanish food, and in particular the cuisine of the
famous Barcelona restaurant Cal Pep. This passion has seen the
brothers travel extensively across Spain: Eddie spent a year studying
the language in Madrid while Sam lived in Barcelona for six months.
Their first venture, Fino, opened in March 2003 and has quickly
become one of London's top restaurants. Head chef Nieves Barragan,
formerly sous chef at Fino, will oversee the main menu of tapas
dishes, many of which will be familiar to customers at Fino, but
adjusted to be both simpler and more affordable for Barrafina. The
focus of the menu, as at Fino, will be on sourcing great ingredients
and cooking them simply.
Dishes will
include Piminetos de padron, Jamon de jabugo, Chipirones, Pulpo a la
gallega, Tuna with onions, Grilled quail with alioli, Morcilla with
piquillo peppers, Brown shrimp tortilla, Russian salad and coca
mallorquin. Desserts such as Santiago tart and Crema Catalana will be
offered. Daily specials will also feature, giving the kitchen the
opportunity to use seasonal ingredients and choose only the freshest seafood.
Designed by
Andy Martin Associates (Isola), the interior of Barrafina is
reminiscent of a small and intimate Spanish tapas bar. Stainless
steel and marble tiling dominate the kitchen itself, and glass-fronted
display fridges allow customers to see all the raw ingredients. The
compact nature of the restaurant space will generate a sense of
activity and theatre for customers seated at the counter overlooking
the kitchen area.
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