El Norte

High-end Spanish restaurant El Norte in Mayfair understands its audience and location. The traditional dining room is illuminated by little more than a tasseled lamp on each table to create a mysterious, and dare we say exclusive, feel – the type that makes you forget there’s a whole wide world outside. And once you come to terms with the fact that the Spanish tortilla will set you back over 20 quid, the kitchen actually serves some exciting dishes. To be fair to them, the Tortilla de Trufa is imbued with truffle and dusted in a melted layer of Manchego cheese, hence the elevated price tag, and it was one of the best things we ate from the menu: almost meaty in texture and flavour on the outside, yet oozy with barely-cooked egg yolk in the centre. It sets the precedent for the rest of the meal, which leans towards the rich and luxurious (there’s more truffle to come).  

You could quite happily dine on its offering of nibbles and sides, which is where you’ll find plenty of familiar Spanish favourites. From our choices, a generous portion of fried aubergine with feta and honey delivered the crispy satisfaction that deep-fried food generally does, while a fruity-tasting dish of tuna tartare in a sweet tomato sauce provided light relief to an array of mostly rich dishes. The main part of our meal did fall at the final hurdle via a rather crude bowl of patatas bravas, lightly dressed with a non-descript-tasting tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise.  

To finish, after some slight confusion and a few attempts to deliver us the correct ice cream flavours, our friendly waiter plonked what we were told was cheesecake on the table, totally concealed by giant shavings of black truffle. Does truffle in a dessert work? Not in the context of a manchego and honey cheesecake, although its soft texture was spot-on. To pair, a fantastic glass of white rioja Chardonnay stood out as delicate and slightly creamy on the palate. El Norte balances the familiar with invention really well – you just have to be willing to cough up for it.

Opened by Spanish twins Arian and Alberto Zandi, El Norte celebrates the gastronomic heritage of Spain in an upscale and entertaining atmosphere. Fans of Zuaya London and Como Garden will want to make a trip to El Norte as the Spanish twins are behind all three dining spots. Situated in the heart of Mayfair, the menu aims to transport you from London to Spain with its creative but traditional plates. Courses are carefully designed to combine the fresh and flavourful tastes of Spanish cuisine in a modern setting.

The restaurant boasts a beautiful lounge decorated with sophisticated golds and marble touches. At the bar, you can expect to find irresistible Spanish crafted cocktails, including a selection of homemade Sangrias, premium Spanish wines and Champagne. To truly emerce you in Spanish culture, the venue's resident DJs play electronic and Spanish sounds throughout the week in the lounge.

Start your evening off with a signature Sangria and some olives to snack on at the bar before moving onto small plates that include acord-fed Iberico ham, ham croquettes and soft wagyu beef rib in a bao bun. 

The slow cooked red wine ox cheek is a highlight of the meat section; pair it with the truffled mash potato or grilled asparagus side dishes. For a real taste of luxury, opt for the Chuleton de Vasco Buey rib eye steak, a premium signature of the restaurant. The wine menu includes a selection of Spanish labels, carefully selected to accompany the luxurious menu.

The seafood selection includes wild seabass with a sweet tomato and pepper sauce in addition to red king prawns delicately coated in olive oil and garlic.

Finish off with a traditional Spanish dessert such as churros with a chocolate dipping sauce or the truffle and honey cheesecake featuring Spanish Manchego cheese.