Meson Don Felipe

foxie

Tasty and Well-Priced Local Gem 22nd July 2009

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We popped in here on a whim before a show at the Union Theatre last night and were very pleased with the experience. Walking in, the first surprise was that the place was almost completely full at 6pm and almost all the rest were reserved starting at 19:30. Since we had tickets, the time limit didn't bother us, but if you want a more lingering experience, best to book in advance it seems. Tables were typically close together, but with enough room that the waitstaff could get to everyone without invading the space of the other diners too much.

The wine list was the second surprise - well priced and really broad with several regions we had never heard of before. We settled on a Jumillo which went really well with the food with a nicy peppery character and good weight.

One of our party was a pescatarian (like a vegetarian only eats fish), and we found plenty to satisfy both her and the other omnivores. Strict vegetarians might have difficulty though, since options without both fish and/or pork were hard to come by.

For us though, we had plenty to eat and ordered (sorry for not remembering the Spanish names!) the spinach with pine-nuts and raisins, aubergines and peppers in a delightful tomato sauce, beans with ham and mint, mixed mushrooms in garlic and olive oil, a classic tortilla, and one other dish I can't remember. All were well cooked and not too oily (a problem we've noticed in other tapas restaurants) and very well flavoured. The only "disappointment" was the bread, which was just average and obviously mass produced. That's really the only area that could use improvement as everything else we had was very good

Service was relaxed and easy going, yet polite and quick to respond. I was very impressed with the manager/owner working alongside his employees, keeping tabs that things were moving smoothly. A touch you don't see often anymore.

Overall, a great meal for a great price (less than £50 for three including wine and service) which will have us back as soon as we are in the area again, only next time we'll book a table in advance.

chrisp

Mi Casa Su Casa 29th August 2008

2 found this helpful

One of my favourite places when I first started eating out in London 3 or 4 years ago, but has since been rather eclipsed by the likes of Brindisa and Barrafina, who do the tapas thing with so much more class and finesse. That's not to say there's nothing to like at Don Felipe - their albondigas are great, and last time I went they had lovely fresh calamari - but considering the effort to get in (like any tapas joint it can be a struggle in peak hours) you can probably do better. Brindisa is a short walk away in Borough Market, and beats them hands down I'm afraid.

sootle

Tasty Tapas 26th August 2008

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Definitely be prepared to wait but its worth it! The atomosphere is great. The wine list is awesome, and the tapas are standard good fare.

DavidMuir

Little Gem on the South Bank 18th November 2007

1 found this helpful

Before the Tate Modern and the redevelopment of the South Bank, eating out in this manor was always slim pickings.

Meson Don Felipe was a little oasis of good quality authentic Spanish tapas.

Thankfully it still does this in abundance.

Sandrine

A little bit of spain in London 18th November 2007

2 found this helpful

Nice tapas, a nice atmosphere with live music and a nice Spanish-speaking staff. And good-value for money.

A realy good and unpretentious place to relax with some tapas and wine with some friends (not to party though as its relatively quite).

Don't turn up too late as the place is really crowded and it might be difficult to find a table for parties of 3+ after 9pm.

Voodooraay

22nd May 2007

2 found this helpful

I love this place and have been dining there since 1995. Great atmosphere, great tapas, although a little overpriced. The staff are mostly Spanish and always make you very welcome. The seats at the back are a bit crampt, so i always opt to sit around the large bar. The best tapas i've had outside Spain.

annika

Crowded... 22nd November 2006

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I guess the mixed reviews exactly reflect the divided opinions among the friends with whom I went to Meson Don Felipe. While I loved the 'cosiness', it was 'crowded like a platform at Clapham Junction during rush hour' for a friend of mine. Whereas I was quite happy to indulge in the sardines and the chorizo, it was all too greasy for another friend. And while I appreciated the elevated noise level as somewhat authentic and loved the flamenco guitar in the background, my friends found it close to unbearable and couldn't wait to take our conversation to the pub around the corner (The Ring - another great place). I guess, you can't please everyone but as regards tapas and in terms of value-for-money I'm afraid this is as good as it gets here in London.

Claudiacodsi

Tapas 9th October 2006

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I'd agree, it's not the most authentic tapas and if I remember correctly the sangria was awful. Not a place I'd go back to.

sue at 24/05/07

Nothing worse than bad sangria ; ) Any tapas places nearby that you would recommend?

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Formaggio_Amore

Good tapas bar/restaurant near the South Bank 9th August 2006

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This is a little gem of a tapas bar, with the usual popular, mouth-watering tapas dishes. A good selection of Spanish wines is also available. Service is fast and friendly. The venue is small and colourful and, occasionally, you may have the benefit of a flamenco guitarist playing from “near the sealing”! An ideal good-value-for-money “filler”, if you are out and about near the South Bank.

walid

Uneventful Tapas Place 8th August 2006

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I guess there's always one to complain. In comparison to the other reviews I find Meson Don Felipe to be quite ordinary at best. The food is not special and at times you feel as though it has been defrosted. There must be something quite good about it as it's nearly always full during the weekends, but I have to admit to missing what's so special. If you're in the south end and are happy with an average tapas place then go check it out, however if you are a tapas aficionado then I wouldn’t recommend it.