8 Great Newport Street,
Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7JA
0872 148 0354
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Salvador and Amanda offers tapas and cosy corners suitable for a date during the week and a more party-orientated atmosphere with DJs at the weekend.
The Venue
Amongst the chaotic streets of Leicester Square, Salvador and Amanda draws you in to its quiet foyer, aglow with candles and red walls. Here, you will be met by a cheerful greeter who will lead you through a pair of deep red curtains and down a staircase into the underground restaurant.
The room is decorated in deep red colours and dark wood, with tall red candles on the tables providing subtle lighting. Seating is made up of leather booths and individual tables, or for a really authentic tapas experience you can sit at the bar.
The Atmosphere
There is an air of romance in this cosy restaurant. If you’re here for the flamenco night (every Tuesday), you will be treated to some lively music on the guitar and authentic dancing, which is pitched at the perfect volume so as to be enjoyed without being intrusive.
The friendly staff will guide you through their specials and answer any questions you may have about the menu. Depending on what night of the week you visit, you could be in for a quiet, romantic evening surrounded by couples, or a night of dancing into the early hours with friends. Other highlights at Salvador and Amanda include the paella night (Tuesdays), sangria night (Thursdays) and a host of DJs spinning into the early hours over the weekend.
The Food
The ample tapas menu offers a host of favourites, as well as some more original ideas, and ranges from wonderfully delicious to a little disappointing. Dishes cost between £4.50-£8 and three dishes each is a good amount of food on top of the bread and olives that are served at your table on arrival.
Highlights of the menu include the pan-fried chorizo, which is beautifully rich, and the meatballs in tomato sauce, which taste wonderfully fresh and homemade. Look out for chef’s specials like the gambas a la plancha: the chargrilled shell-on prawns with garlic, rock salt and lemon leaves you licking your fingers and wishing you’d ordered more.
Less successful is the patatas bravas: traditionally consisting of fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce, here they are served in a very mild, plain sauce which leaves a little to be desired. The chicken wings roasted in lemon and chilli don’t taste of much more than fried chicken, either.
Desserts include a traditional crème caramel, a rich Seville negro chocolate cake and a delicious chocolate and orange mousse served in a cocktail glass – any of these picks is a perfectly sweet way to finish your meal.
The Drink
The wine list has a good selection of Spanish whites, reds and roses, ranging from £15.50 to £26.50 a bottle, and include favourites such as rioja and cava. Beers cost about £3.50 a bottle and they also do a few cocktails, including a selection of martinis, and jugs of sangria.
The Last Word
Salvador and Amanda is a bit of a chameleon. Pick a quiet night and it’s a good spot for a romantic date; on another, later in the week, it’s more suited to a late night party with friends. Overall, it’s a decent all-rounder.