Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 3 and Version 2 of Fino, W1T 1RR

A fine dining tapas restaurant and cocktail bar in a basement just off Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. Note that the entrance is actually on Rathbone Street, despite the address.

At the bottom of the stairs by the discreet entranceway one will find a reception desk and a smallish bar area just to the right, where there are several tables for drinkers. The restaurant itself is down some further steps, with the open kitchen at the back of the dining area.

As this is a restaurant and not a tapas bar per se, food is only served at lunchtime (until around 3pm) and dinner (from 6pm), and reservations are strongly recommended. However, the cocktail bar is open in between, so Ewan and Kake sampled this on their impromptu late-afternoon visit.

A bowl of olives was provided right away (and not charged on the bill). The cocktails are all priced around £7-£9 photo of p1 of cocktail menu in November 2009 (the full list of cocktails can be found on their website). There are a couple of pages of house cocktails, as well as other classic cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, wine, sherry and the like. Ewan tried the Puerto Calor (chilli-infused brandy, port, lemon juice and lemongrass, £8.50) photo, served in a martini glass with a chilli pepper and sugar on the rim, and appropriately spicy as a result, a fine cocktail. Kake's non-alcoholic Miss Casanova (raspberries, apple, lemonade, lemon juice and sugar, £4.50) photo also got her approval.

There's a page of tapas available from the bar at the rear of the bar menu, but it seems these are also dependent on the kitchen opening times; however, we did try some of the toasted almonds (£1.75) of which there were plenty for the price and very tasty.

See also:

• London Eating comments

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