After raving about another Spanish restaurant not too long ago, when our friends Y & P invited us for dinner at Donostia, I knew it would be hard to compete with that recent, delicious memory... but I think this place beats Morada by just an inch!
These friends really know their food, so of course I knew that the meal would be great, considering that they are very regular customers there. But E and I are both impressed beyond expectation, and also just loved the atmosphere of the place - casual but classy and simply the perfect vibe for a tapas dinner.
Between the four of us, we tackled a big chunk of their menu, and a few from their specials as well. They have the classic tapas picks like ibérco ham, tortilla and croquettas, as well as dishes you may not have tried before. Everything was presented beautifully and served by very friendly waiters, which makes it all the nicer!
What we had:
Pan con tomate
Foie gras with walnuts & PX vinegar
Crispy creamy croquettas w/ jamon
Tempura prawns w/ ham & mango
JABUGO: Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico de Bellota 3 years aged, hand carved
Another ham from the specials that I can't quite remember - sorry!
BOQUERONES: White anchovies with marinated piquillo peppers
OLAGARROA: Octopus in Basque marinade
ZAPOA: Monkfish with arroz negro (black rice) (although I think it was cod that day)
BIEIRA: Scallops with butternut squash purée
GALEPERRA: Quail with kale and pancetta
PLUMA: Succulent Ibérico de Bellota pork shoulder with Romesco sauce
Ibérico chorizo with piquillo pepper & watercress
PATATAK: Triple cooked chips with brava sauce
PIPERRAK: Blistered Padron peppers with sea salt
TORTILLA: Classic potato and egg omelette
Wow, ok. Seeing what we ate in writing is making me wonder how we managed that! The excuse being, of course, that all the dishes are small in size...and we definitely didn't order two of anything...(ahem). Anyway, what matters most is that we ate it all, because everything was superb. My favourites were probably the cod with black rice, and the pork shoulder, but I honestly loved everything. I seem to be saying that a lot about the restaurants I've been to lately, but I guess I've just been very lucky!
And we mustn't forget desert - we had 3 of their homemade ice creams (raspberry, walnut and coconut), which are absolutely not to be missed. They are outrageously good.
We had gin and tonics that were as big as fishbowls to wash it all down, which were excellent - I've only recently discovered that I enjoy G&Ts quite a bit, so it was pretty perfect.
Rumour has it that they are opening a sister restaurant just across the road, so naturally, we are very excited to try that when it opens. For now, we're so happy to have been introduced to Donostia, and been treated to such a fantastic dinner by Y & P. (Thank you both, again!)
Oh, and what's that? They actually take reservations? What a luxury.
10 Seymour Place
W1H 7ND
020 3620 1845
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