Looking for post-work dining and entertainment options in the City? Look no further; we’ve got two spots for you this month. Whether you’re craving a delicious meal or looking for live music, we’ve got you covered. Unwind and rejuvenate after a long day at work, making your evening in the City fun and enjoyable.
Ibérica
Tucked away behind Farringdon station is Ibérica, a Spanish restaurant which serves tapas and small plates to share. With tall windows, mirrors and shelves displaying fabulous wines, this spot exudes sophistication.
To start, choose a cocktail from their extensive drinks list. The Arucas Tai with honey-rum, Disaronno, banana liquor, cranberry and pineapple juice is deliciously sweet, whereas the Sangría is more sharp.
We started with a cheese selection which included; Vidiago, San Simón, organic sujaira, manchego and La Peral. This came with grapes and a sweet jam, complementing the different cheeses.
Ibérica’s menu has just had a revamp and items specially designed by Michelin-star Chef Director Nacho Manzano have been added. New dishes include beef tomato with traditional salmorejo sauce and a moreish garlic breadcrumb – perfect for spring. Additionally, the roasted sweet potato which is served on a zesty lemon cream is equally tasty.
Classics comprise of patatas bravas (crispy potatoes with brava sauce and alioli) and croquetas, with a crispy breadcrumb shell and a creamy filling of serrano ham. The Ibérica burgers (pork sliders with confit piquillo peppers and chimichurri) are also a must try.
For dessert, the vanilla caramel flan and chantilly cream steal the show, their flavours harmonise exquisitely. The light and fluffy churros and dark chocolate came in close second. With a variety of plates to choose from and a stylish interior, this is our new favourite spot.
89 Turnmill St, EC1M 5QU
Farringdon
Nancy Spain’s
As soon as you walk into Nancy Spains, you are greeted with a fun atmosphere. With a mixture of large tables, and smaller nooks hidden away, this pub is a perfect place to catch up with a group of friends or for a date night.
The staff were friendly and guided us through the cocktail menu, suggesting their personal favourites and recommending ones to match our tastes. We started with the Barry’s Pornstar, a twist on the classic Pornstar Martini. What differs from this one is that it has Barry’s Irish tea in it, providing a fresh update on an old classic.
The Gangs of New York – aptly named after the 2002 Irish-American film – has a kick to it. It’s strong and punchy, embodying the boldness of a true gangster. A more subtle taste is the Big Bren, with Irish Poitín and featuring notes of grape and pear – this cocktail is refreshing and the perfect drink for spring.
At City Matters, we enjoy unwinding with a pint of Guinness after work, so we were excited to try its competitor, Murphy’s Irish Stout. The flavour of a pint of Murphy’s is distinctly sweeter, with more of a caramelised taste than a Guinness and Nancy Spains is one of the few pubs in London which offers Murphy’s instead of Guinness.
The food menu is equally as diverse as the drinks menu. We ordered a selection of dishes to share, starting with the nachos, made from green plantain chips and served with guacamole and habichuelas dip. The palmeritas with pulled beef was delicious and the pechurinas is a must-try. Papitas fritas were a perfect accompaniment.
Whilst enjoying our drinks and food, we listened to live music from 7pm with 90s and early 2000s tunes. Crowd pleasers included Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and Atomic Kitten’s ‘Whole again’.
128-130 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3AQ
Nancy Spains | Modern Irish Pub | In the Heart of Shoreditch
