El Cantara

Food: Bland, not at all spicy, caters way too much to English fondness of non-spicy food and is nothing like traditional food in Spain.

Service: Poor. The ticket machine communicating the orders from the waiter to the kitchen was out of service and it took them a while to realise this. Food took at least 45 minutes to arrive with barely an apology. I was expecting to be offered free drinks as a goodwill token, but instead they charged the drinks and slapped on a 12.5% service charge to the bill.

Price: Way too expensive for the quality of food on offer.
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Ian
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, December 01, 2011

It was perfect! Great food, wonderful atmosphere and friendly staff. I was reading other reviews and I gotta say I am sorry if some people did not have a good time. Of course you cant make everyone happy and it is not a perfect world so sometimes some things can go wrong however in my case I had one of the best nights of my life there! It was my friend's birthday and we were 20 people. we loved the cute decoration and we all enjoyed our dinner and the shows. it was unforgettable and for sure I will repeat my visit. :)
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Christina - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 21, 2011

Food and service was poor. Our food was being sprayed all over which what they claimed to be coming from a leakage from their kitchen pipes but upon investigation, we discovered that the toilets upstairs were above our table and one of the cubicles were leaking and the floor was soaking wet and there were cracks on the floor. Not sure if the water being sprayed all over our food were coming from the toilets! they didn't ofer any apology or discount whatsoever and was adamant about where the leakages were actually coming from. We waited a whole hour for our main course and it was cold and tasteless. The service was very poor and set menu was overpriced. Portions were too small for a big group and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good night out!!!
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 17, 2011

This place is very nice. the way u are looked after iIn here is so great. I cant believe that other restaurants write bad reviews on here. Coz it can't be true iv been here on 6 diferent times and each time was very nice. I've been all over Europe to restaurants and i will remember this one for champers service food and for decent pricing
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James
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, December 09, 2010

We had our work's Christmas Party last night, and El Cantara were so accommodating! We requested a larger menu and a belly dancer and was very nicely surprised when we were given our own room as there were nearly 30 of us!

The food was amazing and the waiting staff were very attentive

I would definitely recommend this restaurant, especially for a party!
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Emily
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Wow, is all I can say. From beginning to end, the attention to every detail was exceptional. All the staff were lovely and very polite. The manager really looked after us. The food was first class.

Of all the places I have ever dined, this was probably the finest.
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Alexis
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Lovely restaurant - very attentive staff and great atmosphere. The menu is authentic, well cooked and well presented. The place overall immpressed me, I was really surprised about decour and I loved the shisha terrace!
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Kate
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 05, 2010

Well what can I say? This was the 1st time i have been to 'El Cantara' and I can say with confidence that it will definitely be my last. I can not comprehend why this restaurant appears to get so many positive reviews. Is it just that people these days are easily pleased??? I am able to identify quite easily if a dish lacks taste, and i must say that the food at El Cantara was really bland. We ordered the spanish omelette as a starter, which was the worst i have had in my life, without exaggerating.

After a disappointing starter, we were then looking forward to the main meal, in hope that TASTE would actually exist in these dishes..

Oh and before receiving our main meals, we asked to move table as they had seated us in what they call 'the special area' when in fact it seemed like the 'non-special' area. To the point that when we were seated there initially, even the waitresses had a look on their face of surprise that we were put to sit there.

Anyway moving on.. so we've moved on to a 'civilised' area of the restaurant with the other folk, to a 'NORMAL' table. I ordered the Chicken Tagine... this arrived in a clay plate (which i may add was scorching hot, but no warning was given) sounded nice on the menu, but quite the contrary. Small Portion and nothing special whatsoever. Accompanied with some Tagine Vegetables which lacked taste big time and for £12.95 was DEFINITELY not worth it. When asked if we wanted dessert, i think it was our cue to leave. At £30 a head for the bill, I would much have rathered gone to Nando's down the road and ordered 2 whole chickens, which i am sure would have been more tasty and filled me up at least!!!!

People, please think twice before opting for this restauant choice. You have been warned!
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Radha
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, March 20, 2009

I went there with posistive expectations.....

When approaching El Cantara, we were watched by the bouncer/doorman/whatever he was.... We stated that we hadn't booked would there be room for 3ppl...He was then extra protective with letting us in while he went to find out if there was space...We got seated by what this bouncer/whatever he was in what he had called the "special" vip area.... how speacial did we feel- NOT! (overall, what ever role this guy was- i thought it was pointless! & this countries trying to cut costs!?!)

The "VIP" area was like the waiting area for a take-away... the comfort of the seats were there, til we had to eat... the coffee Table was the same height as our knees- the most uncomfortable way of eating ever! i was eating but it wasn't goin down too well!

I then requested a move to a table as i was getting a back ache once the mains were ready, no particular rush - the waitress was totally blunt, shouted out to the manager- "these people want to move tables NOW!" which i think was over abrupt.

So now sitting on the table we awaited for our main- already we felt so so about the starters which we thought were rather bland & was looking for to our £12p/dish mains.... tuttuttut- not impressed my lamb pieces were overcooked & the veg stew-looking dish had no taste what so ever!

We still gave service charge - however will not be going there ever again! as the fault was based on the food- no paticular extra service were given, baring in mind that were were fullpaying customers, not ones that was taking out a offer offered everywhere is pre-booked!

I think this place we overrated which is why i & the others are reviewing this as our 1st!
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Mylee
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, March 20, 2009

We decided to eat here before the theatre, and I would advise anyone thinking of eating here to be absolutely 100% sure they are hungry!! We had the set pre-theatre menu and weren't disappointed. The lamb cous-cous was ample (!), tender and attractively served. The tapas were hot to table (as was the main course) and very tasty. Wine was pleasant, and maybe next time (which there will be!) one will have enough room for a dessert!! Service was efficient and unassuming. Quite honestly, it does what it says on the tin, was reasonably priced bearing in mind its location, and was a pleasant and calm oasis from the bustle of Frith Street.
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Jack and Shelley
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 08, 2009