Sam and Eddie Hart – owners of Fino, London’s leading Spanish restaurant – have this week opened Barrafina in Soho’s Frith Street. The tapas bar will have a no reservations policy and seat 23 customers at its counter, opening from Monday to Saturday, noon until midnight.
Barrafina will provide stylish surroundings in which to enjoy great Spanish tapas, wines and sherries at a reasonable price – as inspired by Sam and Eddie’s love of Spanish food, and in particular the cuisine of the famous Barcelona restaurant Cal Pep. This passion has seen the brothers travel extensively across Spain: Eddie spent a year studying the language in Madrid while Sam lived in Barcelona for six months. Their first venture, Fino, opened in March 2003 and has quickly become one of London’s top restaurants.
Head chef Nieves Barragan, formerly sous chef at Fino, will oversee the main menu of tapas dishes, many of which will be familiar to customers at Fino, but adjusted to be both simpler and more affordable for Barrafina. The focus of the menu, as at Fino, will be on sourcing great ingredients and cooking them simply.
Dishes will include Piminetos de padron, Jamon de jabugo, Chipirones, Pulpo a la gallega, Tuna with onions, Grilled quail with alioli, Morcilla with piquillo peppers, Brown shrimp tortilla, Russian salad and coca mallorquin. Desserts such as Santiago tart and Crema Catalana will be offered. Daily specials will also feature, giving the kitchen the opportunity to use seasonal ingredients and choose only the freshest seafood.
The wine list will be simple but carefully chosen, offering 10 whites, 10 reds and a selection of sherries, all available by the glass.
Designed by Andy Martin Associates (Isola), the interior of Barrafina is reminiscent of a small and intimate Spanish tapas bar. Stainless steel and marble tiling dominate the kitchen itself, and glass-fronted display fridges allow customers to see all the raw ingredients. The compact nature of the restaurant space will generate a sense of activity and theatre for customers seated at the counter overlooking the kitchen area.
Barrafina will operate a no reservations policy. There will be a standing area within the restaurant where people can enjoy a drink while waiting for a seat at the bar.