A la Colthard: José Pizarro and the Brass Rail

I was in London last weekend and checked out two restaurants with an ethnically gastro theme.

The first was José Pizarro at the rear of the Royal Academy.

His schtick is Spanish cuisine. I like Spanish cuisine and tapas has created the idea of the shared platter.

I invited Alicia who generously gave me a bottle of 2017 Sassicaia and is a highflying p/a, but certainly not up herself.

She likes her food and it proved a good choice.

Initially we ordered a selection of tapas: prawns, ibericò ham, potato tortilla with a bottle of Verdejo, a Spanish wine I would recommend.

There was no room for mains but Alicia had a choccy desert and me an almond tart with a glass of sweet wine.

At £147 for two I could not complain, though I was somewhat mystified why a table was not available until 2-30pm and the loos were some distance away.

The fare at the Brass Rail in Selfridges is basically New York deli food and I have used it for some time for lunches on the hoof.

This time the tongue sandwich was dry and the chicken soup was served with the sandwiches.

The salt beef was good.

Again, you had to go up a floor for the loo. The bill was £23 and the clientele mainly tourists.

It’s more functional than romantic. Don’t go there if you are planning to look into your lover’s soulful eyes in the expectation of afters!!!!