Dehesa

We return to Dehesa every month or 2, as an irresistible treat. The food is always somewhere between very good and sublime, but we also really value the consistently polite, professional and friendly service.

Make sure to try the zucchini flowers with manchego cheese and honey - too good for words. Every little dish is a delight of lovely and surprising flavours. I miss the squid cooked with borlotti which has been taken off the menu, and hope it will return again soon. We've always had great wine here at reasonable prices, but our favourite is the AN12, a smooth and delicious red, which we've been unable to track down any place else.

The only drawback it that it's difficult to get a table in this small restaurant, and they will never let you stay long after you've finished eating. This is understandable given that there's 2-3 sittings a night and always a queue for a table, but it's also a shame to feel rushed.

For my money, the Salt Yard (sister retaurant) doesn't have the same atmosphere, service, or creative cooking. I hope Dehesa opens a second location, but can keep the same standard of service and food.
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cherie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 07, 2010

Food was uniformly excellent, especially the pork belly and beans. I had an amazing dessert dish also which was a sort of bread pudding but extremely light and crispy - highly recommended. I liked the menu selection and the way the food is prepared and presented, just well made and simply presented.

The place itself is cosy, despite the freezing weather outside. We sat at the bar and were able to get a seat right away around 6pm.

Service was very attentive and friendly and well organised with dishes appearing in good time despite the place being quite crowded. My only negative is that there was a friendly but definite attempt to upsell us at each stage: suggestion to have a charcuterie platter in addition to starter, upselling on choice of wine etc.

Tapas is supposed to be small bites with a drink and not necessarily a full 3 course meal. In fact we were planning to have a light meal with several dishes so a tapas place should allow for both options.

Overall experience however was very positive.
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Steve B - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Friday, January 08, 2010

We went there couple of times this week when we where for a week stay in Londen, food was really amazing, best tapas i had in long time, really recommended.
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Gaspard Erik
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 08, 2009

It's absolutely fantastic. I've been twice now; once when fairly inebriated with a friend who considers it a local, and once this weekend with my girlfriend for lunch. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed, and the quality of ingredients exceptional. The wine list is also exemplary. I've not been to Barrafina or Tierra Brindisa, but my girlfriend has, and said she thought this was better; mainly I think because at the former, you have people queuing around you which can be off-putting. Anyway, i recommend it!
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Digitalgoldfish - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 20, 2009

I loved it.. From the minute I arrived with my friend everything was great.

The sourdough with aioli was amazing, so good we had one each. The tapas dishes were good and tasty, simple uncomplicated good food. My god the confit pork belly with white beans and rosemary was to die for and so was the squid with chick peas mint and chorizo. We ended with a chocolate cake that was one on the best i have eaten and a glasof PX which was a great pairing.

I could not reccomend this highly enough I cant wait to return
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Joel Groves
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 02, 2009

As the reviewer below explains, Dehesa is an oasis of calm on Sundays. (At most other times you can expect a queue and a very busy dining room).

The wine list is wonderful and tap water was brought to the table in a carafe, without any problems. Our Serrano ham, sourdough with aioli, and patatas bravas were all delicious; while other dishes like the scallops with cauliflower puree and roasted squash were nice but nothing special. Soft chocolate cake with ice-cream to finish was rich and sinfully good.

Service was attentive, knowledgeable and polite throughout - a very rare treat in London. I would definitely go back for cheese and charcuterie, or for the Sunday brunch menu.
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-K- - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 02, 2009

I’m somewhat reluctant to discuss Dehesa, let alone review it. It’s now my regular Sunday haunt; this is where I can turn up in my hole-y jeans together with the Sunday Times and let the pleasure dictate the rest of the afternoon. This place is quite often deserted on Sundays, a blessed gratification for all those solo diners (like myself) who abhor being gazed at; which is why I want to keep (rather selfishly I may add) this restaurant to myself. Then again it needs more patronage to justify its Sunday opening, so I’ve reluctantly done my bit to encourage you folks to turn up and enjoy your newfound Sunday sojourn.

Sundays here mean brunch and tapas are served till the late and lazy afternoon, so the ideal location within Carnaby Street is perfect for walking off the acquired excesses. The ambience is relaxed and warm. The efficient service reflects the said ambience.

Although the offerings at Dehesa are inspired by the cuisine of Spain and Italy, I can’t help but compare my findings to both Barrafina and Tierra Brindisa. I can confirm that Dehesa is certainly the cheapest of the three and the quality of its food sits between the two. This is one of those restaurants where you’ll want to come back again and progressively eat the entire menu. The food here is simply stunning.

At the time of writing one can easily have a decent meal for less than fifteen a head to include well served tap water and no intoxicating grape juice. I’m indebted to Dehesa for I’m genuinely smitten.

PS Least you can do when making an appearance is to order the cinnamon dusted churros with thick chocolate from the weekend brunch menu; I’m beginning to think they are the nonesuch and the best in London.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 11, 2009

We went to Dehesa on a Sunday afternoon for late lunch. Both my husband and I are in catering so we fully appreciate and understand how a restaurant makes its money. We have no problem paying money for good food but Dehesa is absurd. 8.60 pounds for a meat board consisting of 12 paper thin, tiny slices of Charcuterie and the same price for 3 small pieces of cheese straigh from the fridge, not even remotely room temperature. Padron peppers arrived at the table cold. 70 pounds for meat, chees, padrons, bread and a bottle of wine at 24 pounds. Never mind value for money but if you are going to do something please do it properly.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, December 10, 2008

As restaurants go, Dehesa is everything a great little find should be! Service is friendly, efficient and fun which all ads to the atmosphere. Food is absolutely delicious and the wine (chosen on the recommendation of the barman) accompanied the meal perfectly.

Great place so long as you're prepared to wait for a table....
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 23, 2008

My wife and I spent our 12th wedding anniversary there on saturday night arriving at 6pm due to the no-reservation rule.

As previous visits to Salt Yard proved a fine evening was forthcoming.

Couldn't fault anything. I was even offered tap water.

Highly recommended. All for £56.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 13, 2008