Barrafina Restaurant Soho

Life may seem perfect with a wibbly wobbly tortilla....that's certainly what Barrafina devotees adhere to and we wouldn't differ. Siblings Eddie and Sam Hart were on to a winner when they decided back in 2007 to open a tapas bar modelled on their beloved Cal Pep in Barcelona. To their surprise and delight Barrafina acquired a Michelin star in 2014 under Nieves Banyan Mohacho who has recently moved on to shortly open Sabor. Yet everything we order (and everyone over orders, it is impossible not to) remains joyously as exemplary as ever.

Among a long list of winning dishes explosively gooey ham croquetas, generously loaded pan con tomato with exemplary punchy olive oil, crisp fried anchovies, and squid ink rice stand out. Carabinero huge red prawns with flesh as succulent as lobster are a must and it is de rigeur to suck out the brown flesh in their heads and mop up with bread.

There's a brilliant sherry list and some fancy and unusual wines to splurge on. Staff are eagle-eyed, exceptionally well-informed and most importantly lively and fun.

No bookings taken. Expect to queue for around an hour though drinks and snacks are served at the counter around the restaurant whilst waiting for a coveted seat at the bar. Maximum groups of four people in a party and to be egalitarian all need to be present before seating.

Click here to see the menu.

Price: £80.00++ for modest tapas, sherry and a glass of wine each for two. Expect to be tempted to order far more.