Steven's review of Barbecoa

How can you review a restaurant when you've never even eaten there!? It does make me wonder about some people, even if I do appreciate the frustration of unanswered calls… Anyway, to the food!

We had the “nibbles” as opposed to the proper starters, I guess they would equate to bar snacks, posh cheese on toast etc. Nice enough but I think next time I'd go for the crab cakes or squid…

Pulled Pork was not on the main menu, but was a special and is worth asking for – tender meat, sweet and spicy sauce (not too hot, but then I am a fan of the chilli!). Steak was excellent, you could taste the flavouring of the smoke and the general quality of the meat – large helpings too!

Sides were tasty, big portions and more-ish. Beware of over ordering though!

Puddings – See Food Fiends review (I'm Mr Food Fiend!)

The service (I think a girl called Rachel) was excellent, didn't mind Ms Food Fiend's somewhat fussy request to site RIGHT NEXT to the window with the great view of St Pauls. Explained all of the dishes well, spoke about Jamie's involvement and interactions with the staff (according to her, he is around during the week – but with the kids on Sunday) and was generally very friendly, helpful, and even got me some extra lettuce “wraps” for my pulled pork when I ran out. If the management are reading, put her in charge of the telephones!! (It might help to convert some of the poor “ratings”).

It was quiet – between 3-5pm on a Sunday, and I'd imagine that if you were turning up on the off chance of a space this might be a good time to go. I can imagine it getting packed during the week over lunchtime and dinner. And it's only the lack of “buzz” that drops the atmosphere rating down to a 7.

Go along on a Sunday, late lunchtime – give the people there a nice smile, talk about the good food and you'll probably end up with a table…