34-36 Exmouth Market,
London,
EC1R 4QE
0871 971 6484
The ViewLondon Review
General Price Guide: Moderate.
Location and Punters:
An ever-popular Spanish/North African style eaterie, Moro attracts a lively, stylish bunch of punters. The nearest tube station is Farringdon.
Atmosphere and Décor:
The restaurant is spacious, streamlined and rather striking. A long zinc, mirrored bar, serving tasty tapas, a wide range of sherries and much more, is the focal point of the room. Décor is simple and understated – a wooden floor, plain, bare tables and an open view to the kitchen, create a very relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. Moro is busy, lively and often, extremely noisy and the ambience, in many ways, is reminiscent of the tapas bars of North Africa, Spain and the Middle East. Service is fast and friendly.
Nosh and Drinks:
The cooking has its culinary origins in the cuisine of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. Flavours are reproduced with great attention to detail. The wood-fired oven and charcoal grill deliver dishes of striking authenticity. Tapas, such as, Marinated Anchovies, Roasted Almonds, Spanish Omelette, Baba Ghanouish and much more, are available, all day long, at the bar.
Main meals are preceded by generous portions of fresh, melt-in-the-mouth bread, with olive oil dips. Dishes might include Pastirma (Cured Beef in Fenugreek) with full-flavoured Houmous, Salt Cod Croquetas with Sweet Tomato Sauce, Charcoal-Grilled Leg of Lamb with Judion Beans, or Baked Hake with Clams, accompanied by Salsa Verde and Slow-cooked Fennel.
Desserts, by comparison, are low key. The Seville Orange Tart, however and the Rosewater and Cardamom Ice Cream, seem popular. The wine list is short, but appropriate. It concentrates, mainly, on familiar Spanish, French and Italian wines. House wine costs around £10. The sherry list is to be recommended.
Experience:
Moro successfully replicates the authentic ambience of a lively, Spanish/North African Café-Tapas Bar. The atmosphere is evocative.