PHOTO BY: Ed Reeve
Spanish restaurant, Camino launch their fourth London-based restaurant in Blackfriars, bringing authentic Spanish cuisine to the city, and a hidden ‘Copa de Cava’ for post-dinner drinks.
Sun-soaked evenings in the city have Londoners looking to food and drink from further afield. Whether it’s ordering a refreshing mojito or sinking your teeth into some trendy street food, the sun has us thinking we’ve been whisked away somewhere exotic.
Tapas is the perfect dinner for such balmy nights, whether you’re after a romantic meal for two, or drinks and nibbles with friends the Spanish have it down to a T.
In celebration of this, StyleNest headed to London’s latest Catalan offering, Camino, the fourth in a line of Spanish restaurants that have popped up in King’s Cross, Canary Wharf and Monument.
Sandwiched between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Blackfriars Bridge, Camino is tucked away down the cobbled Blackfriars Lane.
Inside, unlike many tapas bars, they’ve done away with the old, rustic vibe in favour of a modern New York style exposed brickwork, comfy leather seats and heavy oak wood tables. There are though, nods to the restaurant’s Catalan roots – walls lined with vibrant Spanish posters, maps of Spain and of course, great chunks, or legs rather, of Serrano ham, whilst bulls, crates and lemons can be found scattered around the place – for décor purposes of course.
There’s a busy vibe with groups of all types from ‘date night’ couples to families and the after-work crowds.
We were warmly welcomed and led to our table, nestled up on a higher level by the window – perfect for Friday night people watching.
The menu works much like a traditional tapas menu with small plates, plates from the grill, plates for sharing, meats, cheese – that sort of thing.
Our waiter was very helpful, taking us through the menu, dish by dish and telling us his favourites. We knew he was being honest, as he literally knew each dish inside out even giving us little hints on what to order with what.
First up, we settled on the simple Pan Con Tomato – a traditional Catalan bread drenched in fresh ingredients. This is a must-order and comes in handy for soaking up rich, oily sauces from the other tapas dishes.
As borderline-addicts of Padrón Peppers we of course had to order a dish, and we can happily say they passed our test.
There’s plenty of other old favourites on the menu, so if you’re craving a classic Spanish Omelette or Croquetas de Jamón, you won’t be disappointed.
Under the guidance of our waiter we ordered the Huevo Con Calabaza. A plate ideal for sharing, it combines sweet butternut squash, salty sautéed potato, all bound together with creamy egg. Extras can be added to taste, such as manchego and chorizo (which we happily accepted) as well as Serrano ham. The best bit – a drizzle of rich truffle oil to take it from simple tapas classic to a dish you’d happily go back for.
Working our way up from fresh and simple to heartier Catalonian classics, we also ordered the beef. Cooked on an open flame grill, the succulent cut sourced from the Basque Country and matured for 28 days did not disappoint. The flame grilled taste and quality of the meat, meant a generous helping of watercress was all that was needed to make it a complete dish.
For veggies or if you’re after something lighter there are plenty of other options. Try the Gambas al ajillo – tiger prawns cooked in chilli, garlic, olive oil and wine, and soak up the juices with some of the coco bread. But note: you may have to order more.
That’s the best bit about tapas, order as you go and as you please. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a long drawn out dinner and drinks, Camino caters for both. It also extremely reasonable, with dishes starting at under £3, tapas dishes around £5, and grilled plates about £13.
Camino also houses a ‘Copa de Cava, ‘ a hidden-away cava bar in the restaurant’s basement. A UK first, is ideal if you’re after a glass of bubbly post dinner or a dark and cosy spot far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Whether it’s cava or croquettes we’re craving, Camino is our new, affordable go-to tapas bar.
Camino San Pablo, 33 Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EP Tel. 020 7236 1518