del Parc

The best tapas ever, We discovered del parc through a friend's recommendation and we have back many times since. 15 of us will be enjoying a birthday celebration soon. The chef obviously has a passionate interest in creating dishes that have a spanish and moroccan flavour and the combo works. Please try - and enjoy. Belinda and Annie
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Belinda Evans
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I've lived in Archway for two years now and have often driven past this restaurant and wondered what its like. Its Archway/Tufnell Parks best kept secret and my only regret is that its taken me this long to find it as I have tried lots of restaurants in the area. I've eaten at Del Parc twice and both times it has been nothing short of sublime and excellent value for money. Having eaten at really over hyped places like the Salt Yard and Morro, Del Parc is refreshingly honest, understated and, I think better for it! The food is great.
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Melissa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

There's something odd about Junction Road. A rather ropey road connecting Archway and Tufnell Park contains the excellent (if a little erratic) St John's and this little gem.

Went on a whim with friends who, despite living nearby, had also never been there and had a fantastic meal. Whilst you could label this as a Tapas restaurant, there's actually a big North African influence on the food - in much the same way as Moro.

The restaurant seats around 30 and has only (what I presume is) the owner and the chef staffing it. Because of the nature of the food this means you get your dishes in a steady stream rather than all at once - and makes for a nice leisurely meal.

Highlights included delicately spiced lamb meatballs with yogurt and pomegranate, duck with chorizo in a sherry sauce and chilli king prawns. The bread served at the start was fresh from the oven served with a high quality olive oil.

Only "misses" during the evening were the spanish "cider" and the Fallafel which were a little too stodgy.

Meal for three came to a very reasonable £76 which included 9 dishes and a couple of drinks each
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Gethin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 22, 2008

I can confidently say that this is the best eating experience I had since I live in UK (now 10 years) and (I am Italian, bred and spoiled with amazing food) I normally am all like "this is not good, this is not cooked properly, the food is not fresh etc etc.

What can I say, the athmosphere is brilliant, the choice of music is perfect, the light temperature is the one you should have while you eating, its not messy and noisy La Tasca style, the food is special , modern, ambitious and different, prepeared with love and professionalism.

Dont waste your time in commercial places with food for the masses, Go to del Parc and let them take care of you, they will!!
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Lucio
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 04, 2007

I can't quite explain just how lovely this place is. I've just walked in from my visit to Del Parc, and I've never written a review on a website before, but this place is worth the effort in every way.

Quite simply fantastic. From the interesting but homely decor, to the great and attentive (but unintrusive) service, the whole experience was a pleasure. Best of all is the food, of course, freshly cooked in front of your eyes in the amazing open-plan kitchen, but it was really helped by the fact that unlike other tapas/spanish restaurants, it didn't all come flying at you at once. Served as it is cooked, it's just such a joy to find somewhere like this, and only a five minute walk from home!

This is THE place to eat in Archway/Tufnell Park/Highgate. So much more interesting and cosy than the St John's, with infinitely more character.

I can't wait to go back.
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Gid
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, September 27, 2007

An absolutely fantastic restaurant we found when we couldn't get into the St John gastropub up the road. And how pleased were we that we didn't. Great service. Wonderful to watch the chef at work. Absolutely delicious food. The only downside was the air-dried tuna dish which didn't live up to expectations. However, every other dish was spot on and truly delightful.
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Jess
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

I have to agree with the previous reviewers. This is a quirky place in that the chef is doing his thing in the middle of the restaurant, but that is good fun - if conversation runs out you can always watch his culinary ballet as he chops, mixes, fries and assembles the food. I came with five people, and so we had just about everything on the menu. For me the best things were one of the starters, a puree of broad beans and mint, and lentil dish called Zeytingyagli Havuc, but the calamari and the morrocan lamb meatballs were right up there. I wouldn't have the baked mushroom with Picos de Europa cheese - just too rich, but that was the one exception. Really good value for money, and a nice exception to the generally uninteresting restaurant offerings in North London.
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Andrew - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, September 09, 2007

I love this restaurant! It is a small miracle that they manage to produce such amazing food in the tiny kitchen area in the middle of this sitting room sized restaurant. The food itself is a wonderful mixture of Mediterranean and North African. The service is warmer, friendlier and more efficient than any I have ever experienced. Remembering what bottle of wine you ordered a month before when you have only been once before is pretty classy! The wine list alone makes it worth a trip at over four pages with the average bottle about sixteen pounds for a bottle they would happily charge you thirty for at any other place.

This may be the best dining experience I have ever had and I think the reason is that the owners are also the only staff and they genuinely care. The only thing wrong with Del Parc is its not open seven days a week but I guess they have to have a break some time.
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Sarah - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 06, 2007

I have been frequenting Del Parc for a couple of years now and I still think that this is one of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at in terms of value for money, overall quality and dining experience. The menu has got increasingly better over this period as Steve the chef’s inventiveness and innovativeness increases. Continue to enjoy, just don’t be late for your reservation!
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Steve & Gemma
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 11, 2007

I have been going to Del Parc regularly since my boyfriend introduced me to it. The food there is amazing and brilliant value - succulent olives, perfectly cooked calamari, fabulous chorizo and bean dishes. It also has a good and reasonably priced wine list. The atmosphere is great as well.

The only downside is that its no longer open for lunch! I've been living in London all my life and tried lots of restaurants but this is by far my favourite.
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Ingrid Marson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 31, 2007