La Vina

Nice to try somewhere new for a change; hadn't tried this restaurant before as it's a bit in the middle of nowhere.

The place is nice and spacious, with a split-level dining area. Decor is typically Spanish and refreshingly simple. Granted, in Spain you may have decorative tiles instead of pebble-dash on the walls but it still has a Spanish feel without being cluttered up with bullfighting/fllamenco posters etc. And it was warm inside (important when it's minus 2 outside).

We arrived early (-ish) and were the first diners there. The waitress was friendly and sat us in a cozy corner.

I had a tea while I decided what to order and it was a little milky for me but I should've asked for a strong one or to put the milk in myself I suppose.

I had grilled Sardines which were excellent, if on the small side (it was only a tapas portion). But then, you can't really go wrong with grilled sardines, can you? I also had a butter bean salad which was huge and delicious. Plus a glass of wine which was supposed to be white Rioja, not sure if it was but it was good: very dry but without any dodgy aftertaste. They have some of my favourite whites but only by the bottle (Vina Sol (Penedes)/ Rueda).

My partner had a steak with some rice on the side. It was a bit small, especially as it was one of the most expensive dishes on the menu, but very good. It arrived on a bed of sliced avocado which seemed a bit odd and the avocado remained untouched. The rice was fine and a good portion.

Desserts were homemade rice pudding and creme caramel. The creme caramel was small and, laughably, decorated with squirty UHT cream! The rice pudding was ok and had a light sprinkling of nutmeg. Why go to the effort of making your own desserts if you're going to shame them with that stuff? Also, the puddings cost the same as my first dishes which is comparatively poor value. I would personally have scorched the top of the rice pud before serving and would have offered a good slab of flan like the Portuguese do with their Pudim.

White coffee was fine. I pray the cappuccino doesn't simply involve adding squirty cream!

The service was a bit slack; even being the only diners there our drinks were forgotten until I gestured for them and after our main course was cleared I similarly had to ask for the pudding menu.

Overall, I like the place and the food. With careful ordering one could have a reasonably priced but filling dinner here. Apart from the silliness with the flan, the food was all good.

The waitress was not the most attentive but she was very nice.

The puddings were ok but could have been better considering they were homemade.
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Pale James
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, January 02, 2011

there is not a real spanish restaurant they try to be but not a single spanish food is greasy i'll never back they supose to change the chef get some fresh spanish staff and promote it in the area
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michael perez kelly
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, April 01, 2010

i think la vina tapas bar is the best one in london
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liz - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 06, 2009

I wish I could agree with the other reviewer. I would love for this place to be good - I live 100m away. We tried it again tonight after staying away for years following serveral average meals. Unfortunately it is still very poor. The food tastes as though it has been bought in and reheated and they cleared away our food and wiped the table down before the last person had finished eating. We were in and out in 40 minutes. Disappointing. If you want good tapas make the journey to El Parador in Mornington Crescent.
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Clare Markillie
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, September 11, 2009