Moro

A group of four of us, visited Moro on a Saturday evening, we had booked for 8.30., but when we got there, we were told our table was not ready yet, but we could have a drink at the bar while we waited.

We ordered some drinks at the bar, and chatted to each other while we waited. No tapas were given to us to accompany our drinks, which is usual in nearly all Spanish restaurants or bars, and which I think would have been a nice gesture, seeing as they were keeping us waiting, and spending more, whilst we did so.

It wasn't exactly comfortable at the bar, as there were no stools available for us, but to make matters worse, we were constantly harangued by the staff, who kept telling us to stand closer to the bar, as they had difficulty in passing us, whilst trying to serve the tables. It was hardly our fault if the passageway was narrow and there was not enough room at the bar area, yet we were treated like nuisances, who shouldn't have been there in the first place.

After about half an hour, and another round of costly drinks each, we were shown to a table at the back of the restaurant, even though my friend had booked a table in the front, near the window. If we wanted that one, we were told, we would have to wait up to another 45 minutes. At their drinks prices, if we had waited that long, I don't think we would have had enough money left to pay for our meals.

At the gloomy back end of the restaurant, we finally ordered our meals and wine. The wine was fine, but even more costly than what we had had at the bar, but the food was appalling. It certainly wasn't Spanish, and from my recollection of Moroccan, it wasn't that either. It was more like supermarket packaged food, swimming in some sort of thick glutinous gravy.

Our bill was extortionate for what we had, the service was mediocre, and the attitude of the management was couldn't care less. If you have plenty of money to waste and do not care particularly what you eat, then I would you suggest you try Maro. If, on the other hand, you like good Spanish or Moroccan food and expect value for money, then do yourself a favour, and avoid Moro like the plague.
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Peter Thurgood
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Went to moro last night. Food was exceptional if a little pricey. I had the roast pork which was melt in the mouth tender with a delicious crust of crackling. The four of us all made different choices so tried 12 dishes between us and were thoroughly impressed with everything apart from a rather boring broad bean salad. Would definitely visit again
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Jonny Avengus
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, June 03, 2008

How this restaurant has changed...I hadn't been for over 4 years but went last week to find an utterly uninspiring menu. Can anyone tell me what is spanish or moroccan about a cauliflower, coconut and chili soup? No? Maybe I'm wrong...anyway, the food was expensive and not very good. The smell of the smoking grill in the kitchen was nice though and the atmosphere was great - the place was packed!!

I remember eating a dish of quail baked in flat bread - a truly great and simple dish...nothing of the sort on the night I went.
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NDP
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Monday, June 02, 2008

As other diners have suggested this place does not deserve its lofy reputation.

I'm a local to Moro and have tried the place three times now, in my opinion there are far better restaurants in Exmouth Market.

I took my brother and his wife who is Spanish but of Moroccan descent to the restaurant and they were completely unimpressed.

The service is very inattentive, you get the feeling that they are somewhat understaffed..

It's beyond me why this place is rated so highly with the food being so mediocre.
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Malcolm
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Friday, May 30, 2008

had a lovely evening, good food, pleasant service and value for money.

very nice atmosphere
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marion riley
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I am really fond of Moro, and have been going for many years. I am a vegetarian, and it was always a real pleasure to have their veggie option, which was reliably always something a bit different to normal restaurants (and was always changing). However, I was there again today, and I realised that it is nearly two years since I ate at Moro and was offered something other than the vegetarian mezze. This is very nice mezze, but I am, well, bored of it. This is a shame, as they always seemed to make more of an effort. The rest of the food (including a great veggie starter) was excellent and the service was great.
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Sophie Scott
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 22, 2008

Went to moro on thursday the 13th of march & had the most divine starter of charcoal grilled quail in vine leaves with blood orange salad and pistachio sauce then i had lamb fatte with crips bread ,tomato sauce,chickpeas,pine nuts,yoghurt and caramelised butter which was very nice aswel!!And as for the service was outstanding verry attenitve and careing!!
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Andrew Markou
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 22, 2008

I went to Moro last Tuesday night with a group of 8 friends. I went there a couple of years ago as well and I wasn't impressed either. This time my starter tasted awful (bone marrow with sugary onions-such a bad match!) and my main (roasted chicken with boiled spinach and sweet rice with pomegranate) was ok. We waited more than 1 hour between starter and main course and no waiter came to speak to us to reassure us. I believe this restaurant is very pretentious and definately no good value for money.
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Marta
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, March 07, 2008

Went to Moro on Monday night with the other half and the Mother in law, was immediately greeted by a friendly member of the floor staff and shown to a table surrounded by both Sam and Sam the owners on one table and Jamie Oliver on the next, so it all started well! We shared starters of crispy lamb, houmous and flatbread, jamon croquetas and the most sparkling, fresh and flavoursome Cornish anchovies i have ever tasted. All in all the starters were fantastic especially with the jammy bottle of Crianca we had with it. For mains we had a fantastic few glossy lumps of oxtail, braised with red wine and chorizo, amazing leg of lamb with a salad of parsnips and dates which was unbelievably tasty and packed with north african flavours. An amzing night was had by all, the wine, service, food and atmosphere were perfect. well done Moro! P.S. They have what must be the best bread in the world, no exageration!
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Went for the first time at lunch today having read a lot about this well-established restaurant over the years but never made it for some reason. The food was excellent, also the service and the red wine (not cheap - a Rioja Gran Reserva) was outstanding and good value even at £47. We had manzinalla sherry to start - one of the best I have had. Starters were anchovies, lamb and jamon croquettes which were enjoyed by all. Main courses of lamb, oxtail, chicken and bream also really good with only one doubt (the vegetable with the bream). With excellent bread and good sized portions, only two of us managed pudding. The chocolate and apricot tart was really good and the cheese interesting and in good condition.

All in all, either we were lucky or those writing the average/poor reviews were unlucky. We will go again and hope to have the same experience - much better quality, food and overall experience than many London restaurants (and we eat out regularly at expensive and highly rated restaurants around the World).
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Neil Austin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 13, 2008