Casa Brindisa

Sister of the well-established Brindisa in Borough Market, Casa Brindisa brings the same tapas style and authentic Spanish ingredients to South Kensington. As well as the dining room, there is a bar and a small deli downstairs. There is an eight page wine list, mostly Spanish. Vetus Toro 2005 was listed at £38.45 for a wine that costs around £11 retail, Pesquara 2006 £49.50 for a wine that will set you back around £16 retail, while at the high end of the list Vega Sicilia Unico was listed at £195, a bargain in a restaurant since it costs £155 to buy in the shops.

The lighting was distinctly murky, so no food photos I’m afraid, but you’ll see some photos of the food at its sister. The atmosphere is casual, with no tablecloths and paper napkins. A plate of shoulder of Joselito Gran Reserva ham was lovely, though of course this is shopping rather than cooking (£14.80).

Carrot and leek soup (£4) tasted of its components and though it needed more salt it had pretty good taste (13/20). Salt cod croquettes (£6) were the best dish of the evening, the batter light, the salt cod flavour coming through well (14/20). Chorizo on toast with piquillo peppers was pleasant, but although the peppers were good the warm chorizo was rather stringy (12/20). Fried potatoes with Brava (spicy tomato) sauce were properly cooked, and the sauce went well (13/20). We also tried some Picos de Europa cheese. 

Service was friendly if a little forgetful at times, and overall this was a very pleasant experience. The bill came to £40 a head (admittedly without much wine).