http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe Meson Don Felipe - London, 53 The Cut, SE1 8LF, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/7308_f518ccf5.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1e4yq7
Review by foxie

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value, spanish, crowded
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.]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:04:44 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1e4yq71101725183 foxie lively family & home feel good value spanish crowded 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1d5fp7
Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00
Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value, spanish
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.]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:15:13 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1d5fp725694136 chrisp lively family & home feel good value spanish 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/101ej8
Review by sootle

Rating: 4.00
Tags: crowded, good value, spanish
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.]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:30:19 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/101ej81504108636 sootle crowded good value spanish 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m95t8
Review by DavidMuir

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, cheap eat, spanish, crowded, tapas
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.

]]> Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:55:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m95t81613477531 DavidMuir lively cheap eat spanish crowded tapas 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m55p7
Review by Sandrine

Rating: 3.00
Tags: crowded, cheap eat, spanish
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.]]> Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:07:00 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m55p7229239520 Sandrine crowded cheap eat spanish 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1p72v8
Review by Voodooraay

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
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.]]> Tue, 22 May 2007 01:04:59 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1p72v81879627559 Voodooraay 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m60n8
Review by annika

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, friendly; flamenco, Spanish; tapas;, good value, crowded
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.]]> Wed, 22 Nov 2006 23:06:07 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1m60n81528082432 annika lively friendly; flamenco Spanish; tapas; good value crowded 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1f5068
Review by Claudiacodsi

Rating: 2.00
Tags: friendly, family & home feel, students, cheap eat, spanish
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.]]> Mon, 09 Oct 2006 21:08:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1f5068371074023 Claudiacodsi friendly family & home feel students cheap eat spanish 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1050n9
Review by Formaggio_Amore

Rating: 3.00
Tags: Restaurant, South Bank, Spanish food, tapas, bar
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.]]> Wed, 09 Aug 2006 03:38:20 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1050n91418546596 Formaggio_Amore Restaurant South Bank Spanish food tapas bar 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/161099
Review by walid

Rating: 2.00
Tags: tapas, waterloo, spanish, uneventful, frozen food
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 wouldnt recommend it.]]> Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:04:54 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/161099166497385 walid tapas waterloo spanish uneventful frozen food 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1030p9
Review by sokratis

Rating: 3.00
Tags: french
I had a great time there too. Really liked the atmospere and buzz too, just like the Kiwi did.. I d give the place 3 stars though.]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:28:39 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1030p91077239195 sokratis french 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1030g9
Review by duncan

Rating: 4.00
Tags: cosy, lively, buzz, live Spanish guitar, cultured
Great night out, very authentic place with a buzz of conversation. Tasty variety of food with the sound of Flamenco Spanish guitar]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2006 14:34:41 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n2508/meson-don-felipe/1030g9856556616 duncan cosy lively buzz live Spanish guitar cultured 51.502714870551 -0.10821175927203