Barrafina

My favorite place to eat after work. Fabulous seasonal menu's, the specials are always special (the last time we went they had the most delicious Mozambique prawns) and the atmosphere is very spanish. No bookings, but you can order small plates and wine while you wait at the small bar. Spanish waiters and a traditional spanish menu made me feel as though i was back in Madrid without having to leave London – shame about the weather!

The Hart brothers seem intent on conquering the Spainish restaurant market in London, and barrafina is a fine example of a simple concept (a tapas bar) executed with style and panash.

Like a sushi bar (or Joel's eponymous L'Atelier), the L – shaped bar grants an excellent view of the chef's at work. The fish sits proudly on display centre stage and the plancha is fired up and ready for action. The action is all fairly low key, less Hell's Kitchen b******ing, more gentle ribbing, amongst the young staff. I do, however, love the fact that, although the chef is directly in front of you, you have just seen him (and they do all seem to be him's) prepare your food, it is then sitting there on his side of the counter, he has to call a waiter to pass it the twelve inches to you! Come on, muck in; it really isn't beneath you to pass the food, especially as the chefs are all happy to chat away with the customers as they go about their business.

Of the myriad dishes on offer, the razor clams stand out, as does the suckling pig and the blood sausage with quail eggs. The tortilla's are perfectly cooked right in front of you and the Jamon Iberica sliced paper thin.

As you'd expect from a tapas bar (although generally don't get in this country), there is a good range of sherry's (try the Pastrana), as well as a short, but keenly priced wine list, of which all are available by the glass. Albarino is one of those trendy grapes at the moment, and the Paxo de Senorans on sale last time is very good, but they also have some interesting Godello and some white blends from wine producing corners of Spain you might not have come across before.

On the niggle side, prices are very upper-end Soho (not individually but, like any place where you order lots of little dishes, they soon do add up), and the no-booking policy can be a pain, but overall, and excellent little place in the heart of Soho.

Buzzy bar with highly skilled staff working behind it. The fish produce is super fresh; when we visited we had a delicious scallop carpaccio – very soft, thinly sliced with a lemon dressing; garlicky razor clams and la fritura – mixed dried seafood of the day, which included red mullet, prawns and calamari. We also had the coca mallorquina – the spinach was perfectly cooked with none of the bitterness you can sometimes get, complemented by pine kernels and raisins; and a delicious heritage tomato salad – flavoursome tomatoes, perfectly seasoned. The wine list was very good – I recommend the fresh, zesty Muga blanco and the savoury, silky Gran Reserva from La RIoja Alta. If it wasn't for the prices (we soon racked up over £70 for two people), and the queue, it would be 10 out of 10 and the equal of tapas bars I've been to in Spain.

Freshest fish and shellfish (if they're on the shelf the baby razor clams are not to be missed), exceptional meats (hot and cold) and gorgeous veg, all cooked/prepared in front of you. Absolutely no nonsense, don't come expecting a sit down meal experience, it is all about the tapas and banter with whom your with. I've not had a dish (or starter or side order) that disappointed and La Gitana sherry is an excellent accompaniment. Writing about Barrafina is making me want to go there, now.

I just love this place…everything about it is so right! Gets busy and doesn't take bookings so you want to get there early or late. You don't really want to be more than 2 people as all seating is at the bar (except for a few tables outside that I would avoid). Would also try to sit at one end of the bar or on the corner for more room. Try any of the long list of specials…had some delicious pigs cheeks at the recommendation of our waiter/barman and they were ‘melt in your mouth’ delicious. Hart brothers should stick to the Spanish formla…I wasn't so keen on there re-incarnation of Quo Vardis…all a bit grown up and dull. Fino is also good but Barrafina is better!

First time to Barrafina, had heard a lot about it and wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

On arrival we joined the queue to wait for a stool at the bar. It took a while for someone to tell us how long it would be and a little longer to ask if we wanted a drink. The wait for a stool was less than 1/2 hour. Not too bad.

We order the ham croquettes, prawn and pepper tortilla, chips and brava sauce and a special of pollock.

All was fantastic, except the chips, which were french fries, and the sauce was not very angry at all. Quite timid even. Not very Spanish.

I can see how it would be easy to run up quite a high bill, like I saw a Dutch couple do in Barcelona once. 100 euros they spent.

Not sure if I would return, but if it was empty and no waiting time, then a quick glass of white and some nibbles may persuade me … But very good overall.

Chronically busy and popular, I was able to finally get in during Chinese New Year celebrations while it snowed outside, and very happy to find out that the hype about this restauarant was justified. Razor clams were lovely and tender, the mackeral was divine, the croquettes were creamy and delicious, the quail is an essential tasty selection, and the chorizo-like meat (name I can't remember) was free from grease and incredibly tasty and moreish.

We have used this restaurant on a regular basis since it first opened and previously always had a great experience, until today, October 10th.

Everyone knows that part of the deal is no bookings and take your turn in the queue, that has worked well as long as someone was managing the queue and keeping the punters involved and happy. Today it lacked that master of ceremonies and the queing experience had all the charm of a wet Wednesday night outside the local multiplex, with the added enjoyment of worrying that someone is about to jump in your place.

A long wairt for a drink whilst queing was followed bty a delightful reception at the counter when our server informed us that we had only waited 31 minutes, note the precision, I suspect not the first time unhappy customers have taken their seats. Food service was slow and we had an interminable wait for the final dishes of our order, quail and fries with brava sauce, only to be told that if we wanted anything else (desssert, coffee?) we needed to order quickly as it was last orders and they were closing, it was 2.50 pm

Complacency Sam and Eddie or did it only work when one of you was patrolling the bar?

Buzzy and energetic, Barrafina is not the place to go for a first date but is perfect for a night out with your best girl or boy friend. Be prepared to wait a while as they don’t take bookings and this place is popular but it’s definitely worth the wait. You can stand at the side with a glass of something chilled and nibble on some of their tapas while you wait for your seat. The decor is slick and simple but comfortable. The staff are always busy but incredibly fast. They always have something exciting on the special board, usually fresh seafood. The food is reliably delicious and fresh.