This place has been reviewed by The Guardian, The Ney York Times and Time Out Magazine, now is my turn. As I was out with friends for this meal SO photos are a little light, but I have one piece of excellent photography which will sum up this meal and place in it’s entirety.
First of all, the entrance to this place is fantastic. I am a huge fan of restaurants that are able to use what they have and incorporate it into their look. The interior was also pretty nice, nothing too impressive but it certainly does the job. It was super busy in here, which contributes to a great atmosphere.
Before I go all out, I will start with the positives. The veg was fantastic; crisp, crunchy and fresh. It was al seasoned with a fantastic vinaigrette which really elevates them even further. Here’s where things go down hill, the eggs were just about ok, when you are paying an enormous amount for what is a very small dish you expect every element to be great. We haven’t even got to the worst part.
This was the the amount of anchovies I was given. Half of a fucking anchovy. You cannot charge a premium rate and then not deliver on the main ingredient, especially if it is the only protein. Whoever put this together must have known, I wont accept that it was a mistake, if it is, then it is utterly careless.
Arbequina – Conclusion
Putting the nice atmosphere and fantastic veg aside, there are some glaring issues with this place which cant be overlooked. The pricing for what was actually given to you was outrageous, I mean that sincerely. If portions are small, and you pay a premium you expect at a bare minimum to have more than half a fuc**** anchovy on your plate. This is indicative of either a disregard for the customer or a lazy chef, both options are unacceptable with such a high price tag.
| Flavour | 6/10 |
| Quality | 8/10 |
| Interior | 7.5/10 |
| Service | 5/10 |
| Value | 0/10 |
| Total % | 53% |
| Rating | B – |