Jose Tapas and Sherry Bar
As a North London gal I very rarely venture south of the river. Well maybe to hit a Sidings Warehouse rave or visit The Coronet Theatre but generally I stick North-East.
However one South London street seems to have taken my fancy. Bermondsy Street is an eclectic hub of all that is great in London: Bermondsy Street Coffee (Brick Lane and Goswell Roads sister), the Woolpack, Tanner and co. and of course Jose.
Jose Pizzaro has opened both Jose Pizzaro and Jose Tapas & Sherry Bar on this cracking little street, and we were lucky enough to head down to the latter on a chilly winters afternoon.
Upon entering you are met with sweet Spanish music and a bustling hive of activity. Our host met us with a warming smile and we were seated at the bar. Inspired by La Boqueria market in Barcelona the interior is reminiscent of classical Spain with hung meats, rustic wooden décor and gorgeous exposed brickwork.
We put our faith in our host’s menu choice as her warming smile, beautiful accent and absorbing manner had us engrossed from the word go. She suggested blue cheese croquettes, padron peppers, iberico pork and pan con tomate. We also opted for some patatas bravas to dip into their famous alioli!
Having heard excellent things about Jose’s sherry we enquired into Sabrina’s recommendation. She suggested the Fino Gran Perez Banquero which had a light dry taste from inland Spain. She contemplated with another saltier choice sourced from by the sea however we trusted her first instinct! We also were advised to opt for the Verdejo white wine (our palettes have not quite reached red level yet!).
As we sipped our beverages the padron peppers and croquettes arrived. I learned it is best to bite the tip of the juicy peppers to check for heat (as about 1/50 are extremely hot!) before indulging up to the stalk. The croquettes were filled with melt in your mouth creamy blue cheese and didn’t stick around too long!
The iberico pork was beautiful. Sliced thinly the oily meat was perfectly seasoned, and the salty taste not overpowering. Our pan con tomate (a Spanish cheese on toast) was served as crunchy ciabatta, rich tomato and lashings of olive oil.
However the alioli left me salivating! Creamy and garlicky (we may possibly have left with rather strong breath!) it was the best I have had in the UK by far. Sabrina also popped down some of the plumpest olives we had ever seen. For me as an olive rookie the subtle flavour was just right.
We made sure to leave a little room for dessert and selected the Tarta de Santiago (almond cake). The cake was light and had a pleasant coarse texture which rounded of the dinner a treat!
Overall Jose was magnificent was to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon. They serve the type of food you take time to enjoy; quality over quantity. You savour the flavours and chat with a refreshing glass of white or a decadent glass of red. Pop down and meet the welcoming team; it will be an experience you won’t forget.
Reporter: Aspen Glencross @GollumCrackCorn & Freya-Rose – Photograph accreditation John Carey.
Menu: Food / Drink
