The deli counter at the front hosts entire families of empanadas when we rock up, during the week I’m assuming it’s full of the various salads that make up their lunch menu, fuel for the nearby office workers. There’s also a range of sandwiches, a few tacos (including a range just for breakfast) and a tostada or two.

Stopping off for a caffeine hit on our way through and arriving too late for their ’special latin breakfast’ (it stops with the parsimony of a seaside B&B at 11am even on weekends), there was obviously only one thing left for me – the aforementioned empanadas. A reasonable £3.50 each, hot and homemade, served with refreshing chilli crackled green salsa. This cuts through the slight fattiness of the pork mince encased in the soft pastry shell. The meat is robust and plentiful, oozing out with intensity, spice and the depth of flavour that comes from a long slow simmer. Will definitely be back for the latin breakfast.

Written by Rich Major (Grumbling Gourmet)

________________________________________

El Vergel
132 Webber Street
London SE1 0QL
Tel: 020 7401 2308
Mobile: 07956 52 74 09
elvergel.co.uk

De La Panza opened in October 2011 in De Beauvoir Town, an area of North London between Dalston and Hoxton. It’s location on Southgate Road is a little off-the-beaten track – and eerily quiet at night – but this is all part of the appeal. Gaston, who runs front of house, was previously involved with the Buen Ayre and the Santa Maria del Sur restaurants, so it is clear this is someone who knows what makes an Argentine restaurant tick.

The restaurant’s decor has the feel of an Argentine bodegón, which is exactly what they’re aiming for. It’s interiors are all dark shades of wood, wine glasses and elegance. The only real obstacle from it feeling like an authentic bodegón is the fact that the bar doesn’t take center-stage, something I have always associated with my favourites in Argentina. Considering the owners managed to refurbish the Turkish restaurant that was here before – and supposedly very quiet – and get it so close to authentic though should be applauded.

Now, onto the food. “De La Panza” is Argentine slang for stuffing your belly and that is exactly what we intend to do. First up are the starters. With feelings of nostalgia for our favourite Argentine street food we go for chorizo and mochilla – two types of barbecued Argentine sausage, the first of which is a spicy delight, and the second a blood sausage, that was a little undercooked.

Remember to ask for the chimmichurri when having chorizo. There’s something about that particular sausage/condiment combo that takes some beating. We also tried the spicy beef empanadas which we would recommend highly, though I’m not sure you can go wrong with an empanada! Additionally, we had the provoleta, which is a hard cheese grilled on the parilla (barbecue):

Onto the mains and we went for a couple of Argentine classics. The first was the Bife de Chorizo, which is the sirloin steak, and second in price on the steak menu only to the Bife de Lomo or fillet steak. The meat is imported from Argentina, and as you would expect from an Argentine steak, it tasted incredible.

[I'm not sure the above picture does the steak service. The fact is, it was almost eaten before we had a chance to take a photo, it just looked so good!]

We ordered a side of chips with the steak. It was the best thing we ever did. Thick cut, salty chips – they were an absolute delight.

The other main course was the Milanesa de la Casa con Puré de Papa. A milanesa is kind of like a schnitzel. In this case it was a breaded piece of flattened veal, served with mashed potatoes. This is a very typical Argentine dish, and these guys got it just right.

For dessert we had Budín de pan al caramelo which translates as “caramel bread pudding” but tasted something like a thick-textured creme brulee or creme caramel. The addition of dulce de leche on the side was a stroke of genius!

Our other dessert was ice cream, which was the only item on the menu – at least that we tried – that didn’t come from Argentina. Which is a shame because Argentine ice cream is very good indeed. However, it was still a good way to finish proceedings:

In regards to drink, we simply tried the house red, a Syrah/Malbec, which was more than adequate for us. If you are into your wines then I’m sure you’ll find something here for your tastes. Prices vary from £15 to £50 for a bottle.

Cost – Our three courses worked out at around £30-35 per person for the food and a glass of wine each at £5.

Likes – One of the great things about De La Panza is the atmosphere. There is a real warmth in the room, which is helped by the fact that it’s not the biggest of restaurants. We met some great people there including locals Claire and Danny, who seemed to enjoy the food just as much as we did.

Dislikes – My only criticism is that I think they should make the prices comparable with those of the bodegóns in Argentina! Seriously though, the price could be prohibitive for some who are after something closer to the £20 meals that you can get at many of the rodizio-style restaurants we have featured on the site.

Verdict – a great new addition to the South American food scene, currently engulfing London. We’ll definitely be back!

Words by Russ Slater

_____________________

De La Panza
105-107 Southgate Road
De Beauvoir Town
London N1 3JS
Tube: Haggerston

Tel: 020 7226 0334
delapanza.co.uk

The guys from De La Panza also run an Argentine food stall – where you can buy quality steak sandwiches at lunchtime – at various locations across London. You can find more details of the market at facebook.com/groups/48312478967

Jason, American-born and raised in California (where there’s a massive influence of Mexican culture) has been living in the UK since 2003, and really missed the tacos, the different types of chili and everything else the Latin culture has to offer. Over the years, he also made a note of the huge amount of Americans in London missing the exact same things due to the lack of really authentic Mexican restaurants in town. Thus, Picante.

But as in London everything turns multicultural, as you can see from the intro here, no Mexicans integrate the staff. Not to worry, as Jason’s team have got enough Mexico in them to make great bespoke fajitas, quesadillas and burritos – the house special – prepared right in front of you, with choices of meat and vegetables, Mexican rice, black or pinto beans, cheese, lettuce, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream and hot sauce. Currently open Mon-Fri from 11:30am-3.30pm, Picante has already become a highly sought after choice for lunch time and a take away might be the best option – it looked even more petite especially with the queue of people carring on out into the street. What’s more, Picante is looking to be open for dinner soon, helping you fix your Mexican craving for a more relaxed part of the day.

____________________________

Picante Mexican Grill
18 Greencoat Row
London SW1P 1PQ
0207 8340027
picantemexicangrill.co.uk

____________________________

Rodizio Brazil
550 Garratt Lane
Earsfield
London SW18 4SW
Tel: 020 8871 3875
rodiziobrazil.com

Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Thursday: 5:00pm to Midnight
Friday: 5:00pm to 2:30am
Saturday: 11:30am to 2:30am
Sunday: 11:30am to Midnight

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food

They also offer take away service.

____________________________

Sabor Brasileiro
639 Harrow Road
London
NW10 5NU

Tel: 020 8969 1149 / 077 2510 5605
saborbrasileiro.info

Opening Times
Tue-Sat: 12:30 – 19:30
Sundays: 12:30 – 17:00

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food

Read The London Foodie’s full review of Rodizio Preto here.

____________________________

There are three Rodizio Preto restaurants in London:

Rodizio Preto Victoria
72 Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1DE
020 7233 8668

Rodizio Preto Putney
31-33 Putney High Street
London
SW15 1SP
020 8788 4388

Rodizio Preto West End
73 Shaftesbury Avenue
London
W1D 6LN
020 7287 5995

rodiziopreto.co.uk

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food

____________________________

Favela Chic
91-93 Great Eastern Street
EC2A 3HZ
020 7613 4228

favelalondon.wordpress.com

With burgers priced between £4.50 and £7 this is a great place to line your belly!

____________________________

X-Burger House
40-42 Willesden Lane,
London
NW6 7ST
020 7372 1001
xburgerhouse.co.uk

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food

_____________________

Canela
33 Earlham Street
WC2H 9LS
Tube: Covent Garden
Tel: 0207 240 6926

They also have a restaurant in Carnaby:

Canela
1 Newburgh St,
London
W1F 7RB
Tube: Oxford Circus

canelacafe.com

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food

_____________________

Brazilian Gourmet
70 Cleveland Street
W1T 5EE
Tube: Warren Street
Tel: 07983 633 440

Top photo by Ewan Munro

See our Brazilian Restaurants in London guide for a comprehensive list of restaurants serving Brazilian food