Salvador & Amanda Review

Who’d have thought that a corner of Spain could be nestled away just a hop, skip and a jump from Leicester Square? As you make your way down the steps at the entrance to Salvador and Amanda, everything from sleek decor to stylishly dressed waiting staff give you a dose of the Iberian spirit.

When Fluid arrived a competition to find London’s best sangria was in full swing and that meant a dazzling mix of pouring, shaking and mixing accompanied by much chatting and merriment. Given the backdrop it seemed fitting to try the house sangria which managed to hold its own against the newcomers thanks to a thirst-quenching combination of fizz and tang.

The conventional wine list is also solid and varied. If you’re looking to continue with the Spanish feel then among the reds it’s well worth considering the fruity smoothness of the Castillo di Clavillo tempranillo. There’s also a good array of cocktails, grappa and sherries.

As you’d expect from a tapas bar, dishes are brought out at irregular intervals so it’s worth ordering a good spread and stopping your stomach from rumbling with an early request for bread and olives.

There’s plenty to keep you happy even if you’re a seasoned tapas eater. The pan-fried scallops were moist and melty and given a bit of crunch by a sprinkle of Ibérico ham on the top. Another dish to try is the marinated chicken strips which were juicy by themselves and even more so with a dollop of Tio Pepe sherry sauce. Meanwhile, the pan-fried de-shelled king prawns sizzled upon arrival and packed a good punch thanks to the garlic, olive oil and chilli accompaniment. Other dishes appeared with a quirky twist, for example the mini chorizo (shaped like chipolatas) on skewers. There are also reassuring favourites such as the chunky potato-packed Spanish omelette.

All this combined with a range of offers to catch the eye, including 5-8pm happy hours and special paella and sangria nights, mean Salvador and Amanda should prepare themselves for plenty of guests.
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Arthur Browne 15 Sep 2009

Salvador & Amanda Description

Salvador & Amanda is the latest venture from the Breakfast Group. Situated between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, it offers repsite from the hustle and bustle of London with authentic tapas and welcome drinks. The inspiration behind Salvador & Amanda comes from many trips to what the Spaniards call the 'real Spain'; cities such as Madrid, Bibao, Lagrona and San Sebastian.

In keeping with the general feel, classic Spanish tapas will form the backbone of the menu with the Breakfast Groups newly appointed Executive Chef Richard Turner creating and overseeing a menu emphasised by the authenticity and quailty of the dishes. Richard's pedigree speaks for itself having established some of London's most successful restaurants, The House to name but one winning Time Out Gastro Pub of The Year.

To reflect the overall nature of 'Salvador & Amanda' there will also be dishes on a grill based menu created to be a substantial meal in themselves.

Draught beers will include San Miguel and wine from traditional but also lesser known Spanish regions. Other food and drink will be represented by a host of geographical areas from around the world: Salvador & Amanda gives us the best of both worlds.

Described by some as the "Ronaldo" of the cocktail world, Andres Maso has been drafted in to create a cocktail list and build a team of young starlet bar tenders worthy of his reputation....read more

Customer Reviews for Salvador & Amanda

Average (based on 13 votes): 13 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Salvador & Amanda.

“I had a most enjoyable evening here the other night with a beautiful woman. We finished up here after closing all the other bars in the area and this bar had the right kind of atmosphere for us to carry on. It stays open late so it's popular with student, foreign visitors going out in the Leicester Square area and anyone who works in the hospitality industry. So quite an enjoyable mix of folk and a funky mix of music. £3.50 a piece or a bottle of beer - not bad for the area.”
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Barry Lashes, West Ham (2 years 6 months 18 days ago)

“Salvador and Amanda is the perfect place for any occasion. Tapas are great to share amongst a large group, the sangria is terrific, and the romantic atmosphere makes it great for a date. I highly recommend this place.”
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Jessica, London (2 years 10 months 22 days ago)

“Great restaurant, very swanky, candlelit for us as a couple. Slightly keen to get your food out to you quickly for my liking, but overall a great place. Quite loud but its a nice atmosphere.”
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tom, london (3 years ago)

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Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Tapas
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)