Arros QD

Spanish gourmet rice in London

Smoke ‘dashi’ eel, katsuobushi, white sesame seeds, black garlic aioli

& Wood pigeon breast, wild mushrooms, rosemary, porcini aioli

Spanish cuisine is easily my flavourite European cuisine, fresh taste, great ingredients, and simplicity: are everything that top Spanish food is all about. When top Spanish chef, Quique Dacosta decided to launch a paella focus restaurant in London, I was buzzing with joy. Quique is regarded as one of the modern great Spanish chefs, with his restaurant near Valencia has 3 Michelin stars. At the same time, it is never easy for a Spanish chef to get it right in the UK. Ametsa and Street XO are two perfect examples, opened by other famous Spanish chefs but failed to win over the locals. Would Arros QD suffer similar faith? The hero items on the menu are its traditional Spanish rice, cooked over a wood fire. 

Truffle bomb, ‘liquid’ potato soufflé, truffle ‘spaghetti’

Scottish hand‑dived scallops tiradito, aji amarillo, dill sauce

Iberian pork, ‘mojo verde’ sauce

I opted for some light starters and had a few versions of rice as mains. The Scottish hand‑dived scallops dish was colourful, with a beautiful summer taste it, the dill sauce delivered such a refreshing taste and the scallops were so sweet and moist. The chicken skewer was average, on the other hand. I could not relate it to Spanish cuisine with a pile of kimchi sauce and spring onions tossed on top, it tasted just like standard Asian street food, but at a sky-high fine dining price. The main event of Iberian presa rice was truly wonderful, the rice was perfect, as was the pork, well seasoned with just the right level to moisture within the rice. The black garlic aioli and lime offered a blend of umami and bold taste, with a hint of freshness in the mixed.

Chicken, kimchi sauce

Iberian pork, ‘mojo verde’ sauce

Grass‑fed Cornwall ribeye, 32 days aged with chimichurri

All in all, Arros QD done what it said on the tin, providing exceptional Spanish rice. The cooking was generally great, and I was totally in love with the rice. However, the price was slightly crazy. A single Iberian pork skewer cost more than £7 apiece, with some paella style rice costing north of £50. The restaurant design is slick, from the cutlery, the decor, the bar, and open kitchen, everything had contemporary luxury written all over it, and I suspect hence the reason of the high cost it is commanding. If Barrafina can win a Michelin star, I don't see why Arros QD couldn't, as the cooking quality is similar, if not better.



Food 3.5/5


Average cost without drinks and services:
£50

4 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 8NQ

http://www.arrosqd.com/