El Parador is a no-frills locale for tapas with a twist.

The Venue
The location of this joint seems unlikely, jammed into a parade of run down shops on a peeling terrace in the no mans land between Mornington Crescent and Euston station, and it’s certainly not pretty. With its dated decor with a small garden to the rear that always seems to be full or closed, this is more British cafe than Spanish locale – but perhaps this adds to the charm and sense of discovery.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be rather flat at quiet times. The staff can be dreary, glum and downright disinterested, but in the few magical times when the right crowd collects, the buzz can be electric – and if the staff take a shine to you, you’ll feel part of a large, boisterous family.

The Food
The food is spectacular. And it is here that that somewhat disappointing truth is truly applicable: often a foreign cuisine gains in interpretation what it loses in authenticity, and the result is a mix of innovative and truly delicious tapas that is a rarity in Spain itself. King prawns fried with chilli, belly of pork marinated in fennel seeds, new potatoes sauteed in butter with leeks, broad bean, rosemary and garlic puree and green lentils with bacon and chorizo cooked in red wine all sit on the menu alongside Spanish classics such as patatas bravas. The meltingly good, well-seasoned food packs a punch with the flavour and avoids the overwhelming greasiness that can be an unwelcome feature of Spanish food at times.

The Drink
El Parador offers a selection of international beers and wines in the low to mid price range, nothing special but perfectly adequate to enjoy with your meal.

The Last Word
El Parador isn’t the place for those who like to see and be seen – but for great value, flavoursome food this is a gem that is not to be missed.

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