Tierra Brindisa

I have been here twice and it appears they change their menu according to the season.

Both times I had a very enjoyable experience.

The highlight has to be my second visit when I had Iberico pork wrapped in aubergine.

It had a hint of cardamon that wafted through my senses as I bit into the juicy piece of meat - it was so delicious I thought I would scream!

The interior is cute and cosy, with an open kitchen at the back where you can see the Spanish chefs at work.

The staff are very courteous and attentive.

Highly recommended for groups of friends or couples.
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cowlon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 28, 2009

I went to a pre-show dinner at Tierra Brindisa and was fairly dissappointed with my meal. Upon arrival the hostess couldn't find my reservation despite the fact that I showed her the email that I received from the restaurant confirming my reservation. We were finally given a table and waiting about 15 minutes for a server to come over and take our drink orders.

The waitress seemed to be having a whispering competition with herself since we couldn't hear a word that came out of her mouth. We asked some seemingly simple questions which she couldn't answer such as "what is your soup of the day" or "can you describe what comes with this meal." Even after asking her those questions we never got an answer. The idea of going back to the kitchen to ask the chef or ask someone else simply didn't cross her mind.

The food, however, was the one bright spot. The flavours were fresh and vibrant and we loved the food.

All in all this restaurant has made some very unfortunate hiring decisions which I feel will ruin their reputation.
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JP
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, February 15, 2009

I have been to Tierra Brindisa twice before and on both occasions had a fantastic meal. The flavours of the food were exciting and everyone was totally bowled over by every tapas dish that was served. Sadly, I went again last week and it was a very different experience. The food was served almost nearly all at the same time without pacing any of the dishes.. The mojama with pears was soaked in too much olive oil. The prawns cooked in garlic and oil didn't have that pertness of body and flavour and a few other dishes which were really outstanding were average on this occasion. The service was good but obviously my gripe was the food was served almost immediately and together so by the time we were sipping our first glass from the bottle of wine we ordered, we were three quarters through.

I only write this review so that hopefully the restaurant can take note and go back to its usual standard as it was so excellent in the past.
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Vicky
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Good food, good wine list, unbelievably terrible service. After waiting around 45 to 50 minutes the two of us had been served a grand total of three of the ordered dishes, one of which hadn't required cooking.

Deciding to cut my loses and leave, I asked the waitress for the bill for what we had had up to that point. As a rather fitting end to the whole experience, she had the gall to include the optional 12.5 % service charge and stop me at the door when she realised I hadn't paid it.

Awful service, awful staff, avoid it.
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Phil
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The warmth of the sun in winter can be found here. The apricity is evident in the food, the service and dining at the bar next to the open kitchen. All heart-warming stuff.

Turned up for lunch with a friend with no reservation and as they were fully booked, we were offered to sit at the bar instead. What a brilliant coup by default it was as I’d decided that the main dining room was dark and crowded. The bar is situated towards the end of the restaurant and next to the open kitchen. It was bright and cheery, no doubt aided by the skylights. The main advantages with sitting at the bar are the attention with service is pretty much immediate and you get a thoroughly inclusive glimpse of the Master Class cooking from the kitchen. But be warned, as there are only six covers available by the bar. If you do decide to book for a table instead, ask for one of the six that’s located within the kitchen area as the atmosphere becomes less intrusive and enjoyable.

I find it impossible to fault the dishes that we ordered, in fact the only hugely disappointing thing was we didn’t save enough room for the cheeses or the puddings. All the requisite ticks were given to the Gordal olives, bread (bloody delicious carbs responsible for no puddings), León chorizo with piquillo pepper on toast and the Ibérico ham croquetas. My standouts were the Red mullet with oven potatoes and black olives, and the near life changing experience of the casserole of Pork cheeks with butternut beans.

Of course, comparisons are bound to be drawn to Barrafina. I found that the portions of the dishes served at Tierra Brindisa are a tad more but the fish options offered by Barrafina more variegated. For the ambience alone, I think Barrafina wins and I’m prepared to queue. Either way both establishments go on to prove that we Londoners are a lucky bunch, we can and will always be spoilt for choice.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 16, 2008

OK let's be frank. It is much more enjoyable to write a bad review. I would say that perhaps there are people who ONLY read bad reviews. Those that do so can look away right now. This place is fantastic. How exactly does raw cod, oranges, and red onion work? and, more importantly, work so freaking well? Crisp serrano ham softened in a garlic and chilli sauce sea with clams. Just go. A workmate is reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. The premise is that you visulise and believe that you will become what you wish to be and have what you dream of owning. I am seeing myself in the position to eat here every day right now.
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, October 02, 2008

Thanks Pizarro for bringing your cuisine to Soho. The food as always is fresh and well balanced with very good new dishes in the menu, like the cod in carpaccio, the pincho moruno of Iberico pork fillet and the scallops with crispy ham; the scallops bring me good memories of my dear Galicia; not very sure of the lentils with goat cheese...The prawns are irresistable as always and the fillet steak with cheese to die for. And no more 2 hours waiting for a table, hurrah!
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aflores
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 29, 2008