Where is it?

Less than a minute from Farringdon station, so great for the Elizabeth Line commuters, the mainline station and Underground lines including the Hammersmith & City Line. This is agency/interior design/funky artworkers territory and a new place to eat - and drink is always welcome. 

What’s all the fuss about?

The Camino chain of restaurants cleverly create an authentic Spanish vibe. They have gorgeous interiors and a high standard of food with a menu created by Chef Nacho del Campo who is from Vitoria in the Basque Country. You can sense the passion by the quality of ingredients; the acorn-fed Ibérico pork comes from the Dehesa, the woodlands in Extremadura in western Spain; the beef from Galicia and Asturias in northern Spain; the fish is sourced sustainably from the British coastline and all of it is MSC approved. There is also an excellent – and predominantly Spanish – wine list.

What’s the place like?

The Farringdon branch has a beautiful long wooden bar at the front, tiled walls, mounted Ibérico hams for slicing by the team and neat little tables for drinks and nibbles. At the back there is a large dining room, thoughtfully separated into cosy sections.

What did you eat and drink?

Pretty much everything! The menu is seriously tempting and three of us browsed it with a glass of Cava each and nibbled on gildas, those luscious Spanish snacks comprising manzanilla olives, anchovy and spicy Piparra chilli.

We then chose a few dishes from the Classics section of the menu including Pan Con Tomato – a wonderful version with grated tomatoes, extra virgin Spanish olive oil, garlic and smoked Pimentón on toasted coca flat bread from Cataluña; some Gambas Al Ajillo – prawns in sizzling olive oil with garlic, chilli and white wine and it goes without saying that we chose Calamares and Patatas Bravas too.

Most impressive however were the Seasonal dishes; especially a Mushroom and Butterbean Mojo Verde, a vegan dish that oozed flavour and texture and a Grilled Artichoke Salad with a generaous portion of Spanish artichokes, beetroot alioli and pistachios.

Your verdict?

A huge step-up from the usual chain restaurants the Camino team are delivering first rate food in stylish, upmarket interiors..