El Pirata (Mayfair)

• Large Spanish Tapas Bar and restaurant in Mayfair went there with my team a few months ago they have tables in carved out cave like rooms which offer good insulation from the crowd and the noise
• I organised a catch up for 28 people on a Saturday night and was given so much grief)
• Large groups with disparate expectations
• I would recommend around 4 dishes each for those with a hearty appetite
• The chatty staff are happy to help you choose your food
• I'm a sucker for croquettes so will go for these every time and the great thing about these sharing type dishes is that you won't get food envy
• The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and is designed in a rustic Spanish style
• I came here after I read a review from Johnny Depp who loved the restaurant the food was very very good nice authentic dishes and fast service
• It is long and it would probably take you a while to go through it so my advice is to take advantage of their Superhero offering and just outline what you do and don&rsquo
• The meat has a special flavour to it and the fat melts into your mouth as you chew and when paired with the warm hunks of bread and homemade aioli dip is a self constructed sandwich made in heaven
• I am a fan and these are just as gorgeous as I remember
• Paulo recommends eating with a little side dollop of the aioli
• You know a dish is a particular favourite when conversation ceases
• It mainly has something to do with my travels in the south of Spain in the sun drenched town of Jerez
• El Pirata opened their doors in 1994 and even to this day the place is still buzzing
• Food wise we started off with two of my favourite dishes and they certainly didn&rsquo
• The fat particularly is the best part
• Here the rice was very well cooked and the black quid ink and chunks of fresh squid meant for a rather delicate dish
• Show you just how capable the Spanish really are at cooking
• Deciding what went best with this delicious rice was hard but of course the tender octopus brushed with olive oil and paprika was a match made in heaven and the large
• Garlic and white wine sauce was equally as tantalising
• All these dishes were missing was the warm sun on my face
• In fact there was a lot going
• They were very meaty in flavour from the help of some chopped jamon and drenched in what I think was a lot of butter
• On its own with a glass of high acidic Fino sherry I could see it working
• On the flip side of things the lamb chops were stunning little beauties
• Chicken and chorizo skewers may sound like an ordinary affair but of course when El Pirata is involved (as we&rsquo
• Ve realised) nothing is ordinary and done in half measures
• The chicken was very moist and not dry and overcooked like so many places manage to do when cooking under (or over) a grill
• The chorizo was of good quality too
• Had a nice texture and with a deep flavour and good amount of smoked paprika oil leaking out if it
• Patatas bravas were perfectly good (although nothing to rave about) &ndash
• In fact desserts were actually the low point for me here at El Pirata
• At some points the food here is so good that it means the other dishes almost have to step up
• Crema Catalana was the most enjoyable dessert but the fried banana served with honey and ice cream
• The food here at El Pirata was really very spectacular
• The ingredients are of high quality and even after 20 years of being in Mayfair the place still manages to deliver everything you could only hope for and more
• Re missing those sunny trips to Spain then El Pirata is the place for you
• Anchored for two decades in Mayfair with an admirable reputation
• I am pleased to report that this bar with the seafaring moniker offers some pretty awesome seafood dishes
• Pimientos de piquillo rellenos de merluza (piquillo peppers stuffed with fresh hake mousse)
• The mar y tierra (prawns in olive oil with pimentos and wild mushrooms)
• Everything I tried was tasty and prepared to a high standard if not necessarily super wow awesome
• Chicken wings in spicy sauce were just so so
• Went down a winner and paired impeccably with the seafood
• The setting was casual but buzzing
• Lunch here with a work colleague and friend
• Service was good with timing to perfection
• Galician octopus was good but shrimps were chewy
• It has not always been so easy to find good quality informal places to share food with friends in London
• The feeling of Spanish authenticity is everywhere in El Pirata and it feels like you are sitting in Spain
• I visited on my own when in London and was looking forward to the meal from the moment I walked through the door
• I paired this with padron green peppers from Galicia and jamó
• Carrillera and uevos rotos especiales were made for each other
• Each was cooked with skill and care
• The carrillera was just perfect
• Is a pancake filled with chocolate sauce

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