Camino (bar)

Camino is a tapas bar. Now that may sound obvious, but it is not, unlike so many Spanish restaurants in London that call themselves “tapas bars”, a restaurant (well, part of it is, but that is the dull part – the part that I am talking about is the bar area that takes up about three-quarters of the place).

The excellent Fino, Salt Yard, Dehesa, Brindisa (as well as the execrable La Tasca and La Reuda chains) may all claim to be tapas bars but they are not; they are restaurants. Destination places. Places that you book. Places you go to as a group for an evening, not places to drop in and have a small snack and a glass of something on the way to the next one.

Camino is as real as you are going to get outside of Catalonia, and within the confines of English licensing laws and national character. In the main bar there are no tables and chairs, merely stools around tables that are fit best for leaning on. There is a long bar for doing the same, from which sprouts taps dispensing Estrella Damm. There are those napkin dispensers that give out pieces of flimsy paper that, after one wipe, are fit only to be scrunched up and dropped on the floor. Barca are winning on the TV in the corner; a couple of sherries and a couple of tasty snacks leave you change from a score; Australians in beanies are chatting up the bar maids: you could be on Los Rambles. Well, apart from the fact that it is raining and grey outside, the place closes at midnight and nobody has tried to mug you in the last five minutes (although, given the proximity to Kings Cross, this is never a given).

As well as the Estella come the wines and the sherries (disappointingly, only four or five, all different styles, but all fairly mainstream), each by the bottle, glass or carafe, that you will find at any self respecting Spanish restaurant in town, but also sidra (natural cider), so little found outside of its home in Asturias. This is not, however, as you would find in Asturias, theatrically poured from great heights, whilst the pourer looks nonchalantly away, oblivious to the spillage, but just out of a bottle, given to the drinker to pour as he sees fit. Nobody seemed to be trying to emulate the Asturians alas.

Across the way is Camino’s sister bar, Pepito, which is even more authentic – no tables at all, just barrels to lean on. We tried to go there but, disappointingly, it was closing up at ten when we arrived (even though it is advertised as staying open until midnight). This is not very Barcelona: any self respecting bar in Barcelona would be opening at midnight, not closing at ten. Time Out bar of the year 2010? Hang your head in shame.

Camino restaurant is excellent! I had a great time there with my friends. The food was very good and tasty, with enough options for vegetarians as well as affirmed carnivores! The wines were all spanish and our waiter was very helpful giving us some suggestions. Friendly staff and not very expensive. I totally recommend it!