Las Iguanas Southbank (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Las Iguanas restaurant:

1) Hunger strikes as you mosey along Southbank. You want to eat somewhere that’s atmospheric but not exorbitantly priced; close by, but not so close to the river that location supersedes all other qualities (and further accelerates exorbitant prices).

2) Also, you fancy sampling some South American flavours. Enter Las Iguanas, next to the Royal Festival Hall.

3) Take a seat and absorb the ambience; wide arched ceilings with lazily rotating wooden fans swoop down into swathes of exposed brick wall, a colour scheme that heavily favours reds and greens, and a large curved bar. The lighting is dim but the effect is cosy, and piped-in samba music mingles with the chatter of fellow diners.

4) The waiters all seem extraordinarily cheerful – the first one practically bounds over to assist, grinning widely, pen poised eagerly over notepad.

5) Study the surprisingly extensive cocktail menu, which boasts all of the usual suspects as well as several Brazilians you’ve never heard of. I chose a Capirinha - the recommendation of our enthusiastic waiter - and my guest opts for a Pink Passion Fruit. Nachos sharer to start, obviously.

6) It turns out the Pink Passion Fruit is a misleading title for a cocktail. It’s actually more orangey-yellow. It tastes like the exotic, tropical island beach holiday you’ve never had.

7) They also help to wash down the nachos, which are disappointingly dry and a little uninspiring, although the portion is generous.

8) For mains, eschew the tortilla-based dishes ubiquitous in London’s Latino restaurants. Favour slightly more unusual options such as honey chilli chicken churrasco skewers with cassava fries, and Bahia Moqueca, a squash, palm hearts and spinach-based curry with a creamy coconut sauce and garlic rice.

9) The churrasco skewers are superb: flame-grilled and liberally studded with caramelised red onions; and marinated in a honey peri peri sauce that perfectly executes the balance between sweet and fiery.

10) Valiantly ignoring the protests of tightening waistbands, remember to order churros for dessert and begin a heated debate over what to try/avoid on your next visit....read more