Barrafina, Soho, London.

I'd actually tried to go last summer with some girl friends and to our despair, we were turned away as they don't take groups bigger than four, nor do they take bookings. And understandably so- it's only a wee thing. 23 stools line a marble bar and you'll get cosy with your neighbors. The kitchen is open right in front of you, just on the other side of the bar, and a team of chefs in whites and jeans works busily away (a couple of whom were VERY easy on the eye, it must be said. Spanish+chef= weak at the knees, for sure). Having worked in restaurants for years now, it seems to me a logistical nightmare to have it all out and open, on show. The prep and organization must have to be pretty extensive, not to mention having to keep it looking presentable and trying to not step on one another. Albeit, it seems to run smoothly and stress-free. Who knew the Spanish were so calm??

The menu was spot on. Small and concise, with everything you need on it. Anywhere with too extensive a menu always makes me nervous- how can it be fresh with so much choice? It was cliche-tapas-free and i wanted ALL of it. Fresh seafood is laid out in front of you on ice; Mozambique prawns, razor clams and whole sea bream, and a friendly Jamón Ibérico was pointing his trotter out to me, as if to shake my hand. It's all about the produce it seems- it's honest,uncomplicated, bona fide (that's right, i just said bona fide) food- "Sourcing, not saucing" being their motto. The produce speaks for itself.

We ate four dishes; ham croquetas, prawn and piquillo pepper tortilla, chrorizo potato and watercress and grilled quail with aioli. The quail was my favorite. Lovely crisp salty skin, a soft melt-in-your-mouth inner, and the aioli was very clearly home made. Yummy scrummy. It all came in reasonable time, at a reasonable price and there was nothing lar-de-dar about it. Our neighbor simply came in for some almonds and a glass of wine with a book. True to it spanish concept i guess!

We left room for dessert and had the Santiago Tart- a spanish classic, I'm assured. Lovely. Crumbly and citrus-y with a hint of almond. I've found a recipe- try it yourself. I will when i find the time.