LONDON - SOUTH KENSINGTON - CAMBIO DE TERCIO

CAMBIO DE TERCIO

April 2021

After months of eating at home and for a bit of normality after the latest covid-19 restrictions were eased, we chose, Cambio de Tercio, for our return to restaurant dining.

Under Abel Lusa’s wonderful hospitality and guidance, this restaurant, has been a long-standing favourite in South Kensington for many years and has become a standard-bearer for Iberian food in London. Most Hispanophile's consider it, the best in town.

On this occasion, seating was only allowed, outside, with the staff applying all the covid requirements, so we sat down, wrapped up on a fairly chilly lunchtime, starting with with a glass of Amontillado or Cava.

Followed by,

Pan cristal y Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico de Bellota 100% (Jabugo)

Five Jotas Iberian Ham and tomato bread.

Boquerones en vinagre con pepino y rabanitos

Anchovies pickled in sherry, cucumber and radish.

Merluza frita con alioli de ajos silvestres.

Hake, marinated Andalusian style, with wild garlic alioli sauce.

Patatas bravas elegantes.

The elegant patatas bravas.

Jamón croquetas.

Ham croquettes.

Gambas al ajillo

Garlic and chilli prawns

Nigiri crujiente de salmon con soja dulce y chipotle picante.

Crispy salmon nigiri. sweet soya sauce, spicy chipotle.

Pulpo a la brasa, crema de patatas y vinagreta de chilli, alcaparras y pimenton..

Flame-grilled octopus, creamed potatoes, chilli, capers and paprika vinaigrette.

Pluma Ibérica a la brasa con piña asada y ciruelas.

Pluma (a cut from the shoulder, from the Iberian black pig) with roast pineapple and prunes.

Coulant de avellana con helado de vainilla

Hazelnut coulant with vanilla ice cream

Alphonso Indian mango con helado de arándanos y lima.

Alphonso Indian mango, blueberry ice cream and lime.

We ended, with a glass of Enrique Mendoza Moscatel and a carajillo (espresso, with a touch of brandy).

The amazingly long and varied Spanish wine list, includes more than 500 labels from virtually every wine-growing region in Spain. From the pleasant cava of Juvé y Camps, to a blockbusting (and pocket bursting) red, like Vega Sicilia Reserva Especial or a Pingus 1995 (don't ask how much!)

During the meal, we had two wines, chosen by the excellent Matxi, who was very helpful with her advise throughout the meal.

Don Quintin Ortega 2017 (90% Viura 10% Malvasia) D.O.Rioja.

We all agreed, that this was one of the best white Rioja's we have tasted.

Batan 2014 (100% Tempranillo) Vino de la Tierra de Castilla.

It is always an enjoyable time here and you are always likely to see someone famous.

it was just great to be out and about socialising again.