El Pirata

The abandoned tube station isn’t the only incongruous thing about Down Street: it’s also home to this tapas specialist, one of the few decent budget-dining options in Mayfair. The ground floor benefits from natural light but is awkwardly broken up by a spiral staircase; the basement is more spacious, with alcoves for privacy; both floors are hung with Picasso & Miro prints & attended to by an efficient troupe of Spanish waiters. Menus offer a comprehensive jog through the classic tapas repertoire – calamares a la romana, croquetas de pollo, chorizo al vino – as well as the odd unusual item such as baby eels with garlic & roast potatoes, a dozen veggie options & some hefty main courses like roast suckling pig. Despite the odd grumble, the cooking is generally sound & there are no quibbles over the size of the final bill, particularly if you opt for the £9 set lunch.