From the team behind The Rose gastropub in London’s Bermondsey comes Andanza, situated almost directly opposite the pub and billed as a ‘Spanish restaurant with Basque flair’.
The restaurant gets its name, which translates from Spanish as ‘fortune’, from its former life as a William Hill bookmakers (cue plenty of jokes about the gamble you take when opening a new restaurant in London). It is an intimate space, with room for just 30 diners across a mixture of high-top tables and window-side counter seats. The dining room follows a rustic-chic aesthetic that is characterised by carved oak panelling and brown leather banquette seating, with the room illuminated by natural light in the daytime thanks to large windows, then lit by candlelight come evening.
The menu at Andanza runs the gamut from pintxos (Basque-style snacks served on bread) to large main courses which can be shared between two. You can also expect to find a range of tapas, plus charcuterie boards piled high with cheese and Iberico ham. On your visit, you might find yourself beginning your meal with the likes of a mixed cheese and honey salad, crab with lemon aioli or aged Basque steak tartare with quail egg and foie gras shavings. Those looking to share something more substantial can opt for a hefty helping of slow-cooked goat rubbed with thyme and garlic, a ribeye steak sized to your preference or feather cut Iberico pork loin in a mushroom and truffle sauce.
To finish up, choose from Andanza’s selection of traditional Spanish desserts, which includes a classic Basque cheesecake and a rather indulgent chocolate, honey and goat’s cheese mousse. If you prefer liquid afters, instead explore the concise all-Spanish wine list, which features several organic varieties including sparkling Llopart, as well as vermouth, sherries and Mahou beer on draught.