Brothers Sam & Eddie Hart own the celebrated Fino in Fitzrovia but have gone considerably more casual at this new tapas bar, much like you'd find in any Spanish town, though this being Soho the designers have been in & there's plenty of gleaming stainless steel, mirrors & shiny marble. With only 23 stools at the counter, diners can expect to queue at busy times, but the food's worth a wait & includes a cold meat platter of superlative cuts, crisp ham croquettes that contain delectably creamy bechamel sauce, prawns whose fresh taste isn't overwhelmed by garlic sauce, cutlets of the softest lamb, & squeaky-fresh squid grilled on the plancha (all the cooking is conducted in full view behind the counter). Go with a big appetite & you could quickly burn a hole in your pocket but Barrafina is more of an in-&-out sort of place for a quick lunch or pre-theatre snack. In any case, the higher-than-average prices are matched by way-above average ingredients. The short & snappy all-Spanish wine list is commendably available entirely by the glass, including two Cavas & seven sherries.
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