Anchored for two decades in Mayfair with an admirable reputation, El Pirata has long been regarded as a regular favourite among the locals and a safe bet for out-of-towner’s seeking a more than decent meal. Slow sailing me, I’ve intended to visit this popular tapas bar for ages but only recently set a course in its direction, where I discovered a menu full of treasured Spanish dishes. Is El Pirata worth considering for your next port of call? Aye, cap’n.
Okay, no more nautical puns. Sorry. But I am pleased to report that this bar with the seafaring moniker offers some pretty awesome seafood dishes. From the tapas calientes menu, I especially enjoyed the fritos de rape (deep fried medallions of monkfish); pimientos de piquillo rellenos de merluza (piquillo peppers stuffed with fresh hake mousse); and the mar y tierra (prawns in olive oil with pimentos and wild mushrooms). Everything I tried was tasty and prepared to a high standard if not necessarily super wow awesome: tortilla was commendable, but I’ve had far better; chicken wings in spicy sauce were just so-so.
My order was from a set menu (which I kinda rejiggered to be less meaty and more pesco friendly for my date – hi Kemey!). It was priced at £21.95 per person (minimum two people) and was ample.
A bottle of house recommended albarino – a fresh and citrusy Santiago Ruiz (£37.25) – went down a winner and paired impeccably with the seafood.
A deliciously eggy flan (£4.45) was well worth saving room for.
Service was gracious. The setting was casual but buzzing. All the many Picasso, Miro and more Spanish artist prints filling the walls added a nice bit of colour.
Elpirata of Mayfair is located at 5-6 Down Street, W1J 7AQ. Find out more at elpirata.co.uk.
