http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro Moro - London, 34 - 36 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/124956_dffc3dfa.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/105196h
Review by dafinki

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
Just thought I'd mention the Moro stall on Exmouth market which is there at lunchtimes ⬠brilliant! Lunch for £5, today it was flatbread topped with couscous, free range chicken, lentils, aubergines and salad with a beetroot dressing. Last week it was flatbread with lamb and couscous with a yoghurt dressing...delicious!]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/105196h565864580 dafinki 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1b3qq8
Review by MoRaja

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, north african, mediterranean, spanish, crowded, expensive
I love going to Moro. Whilst working in the area I would visit at least once a month for a treat. The food, especially the fish dishes are full of flavour and perfectly cooked. It can be very noisy when busy, so not always the best place to go if you want a serious conversation over dinner/lunch.]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:46:31 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1b3qq8747962086 MoRaja lively north african mediterranean spanish crowded expensive 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/123p88
Review by mazphd

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, middle eastern, business, crowded, expensive, romantic
It is not often that one comes across a restaurant that has style, vibe and some seriously fabulous food. I have been lucky enough to not only dine , but also to experience the wine here, and I intend to develop this very complimentary and devastingly evocative relationship some more.

On my visit, despite being full to bursting and busy every member of staff was attentive, helpful and catchingly perky! Now my experience may have been coloured by the delightful company for the evening (a perceptive, witty and charming dining companion) but Moro also holds all these qualities on its own just on the vibe alone.

For some reason I skipped the Tapas and went straight for the weekly menu, a sardine related dish full of spice, and just the right mix of olive oil and fennel seeds. Simplicity in itself. Now the dining was divine, but better was the wine, and I heartidly recommend, the Ontañon, Gran Reserva a 2001 Spanish Rioja. On the side of 'pricey' at nearly £50 a bottle, but mmm so sumptuous.

It has been a while since I've had such great service (especially in the UK!) and wonderful food, and reading the other reviews it seems Moro gets this balance right at least 90% of the time. I'm hoping for those disappointed diners they will return and be charmed in the same way I have been.

My own intention is to revisit and take advantage of the tapas, and moment with a suitably charming dining partner. Oh and to remember to leave room for dessert.]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:43:08 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/123p88267398122 mazphd lively middle eastern business crowded expensive romantic 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/100pt8
Review by chrisp

Rating: 2.00
Tags: expensive, spanish, pretentious
Well, I'm sorry to go against the grain of reviews on this site, but I had a very disappointing experience here last weekend.

Arriving 20 mins too early for the evening menu (which was sold out anyway for some unfathomable reason), we decided to fill up on a selection of tapas and a glass of sherry. The tapas was dull - no better than from Cafe Kick across the road - with a small plate of cold and soggy Pimentos de Padron and Boquerones that had clearly just been dumped out of a jar.

But the real slap in the face came in the form of a £4 thimble-sized glass of Tio Pepe Sherry. The measure can't have been more than 100ml, and I know for a fact you can get a whole bottle of the stuff from Waitrose for about £8. A violation.

This highlights a wider problem with restaurants serving liquids out of their comfort zone. It's the same reason why a measure of Baileys (20%) costs the same as vodka (40%) in the pub and why you can happily buy shots of tequila for £1 each but ask for a brandy and you're given just about enough to coat the bottom of a tumbler for £3.50 (yes, most pubs have a perfectly good selection of brandy glasses - but when was the last time you saw one used?).

Sherry is not a spirit. In fact, at 15% it's about the in terms of alcohol content as most Riojas. The sooner these pretentious tapas places realise it the better, and one can only hope that once the credit crunch bites it will sort out the places that demand unquestioning respect from their customers from those that actually earn it.]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:42:43 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/100pt8614671018 chrisp expensive spanish pretentious 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/170l28
Review by Litro_K

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, north african, spanish
I'd been waiting years to try our Moro, upon countless recomendations, and finally had an excuse last Friday. Well, three, actually - a birthday, an engagement, and a leaving party, all in one. And boy, was it worth the wait.

I had booked well in advance for a table of 14, which was situated at the back of the restaurant, in a semi-private corner. In the end we had to book for 16 and they happily agreed. The staff were always lovely and helpful, whether on the phone or in person, and they took no massive deposit from my credit card, foisted no set menus on us, and we had one lovely waitress all to ourselves for the night, who coped very well with having to take orders for 16 over three courses without shouting herself hoarse!

As for the food? It was completely out of this world. All the meat tasted like each animal had lived the best life possible, if you know what I mean. It was all tender, succulent, well-seasoned, and ⬠well - moreish. Wines chosen at random from the list were wonderful; desserts were passed around and slathered over, everyone shared their food and so many noises of ecstasy came from various corners of the table that I stopped for a moment, feeling truly happy, and thought: this is really what eating out is all about. Five stars.
]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:24:36 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/170l28625355607 Litro_K lively north african spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1e29z9
Review by kerry_r

Rating: 2.00
Tags: spanish
love the food but it's just so noisy that it's impossible to speak or have a conversation. that's what spanish tapas and the like is about--food, sherry and conversation.

but alas just not possible at moro. shame!]]> Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:42:10 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1e29z91539283049 kerry_r spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1b79m8
Review by de_uk

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, family & home feel, good value, mediterranean, spanish
Last time I was in Exmouth Market, New Labour were a new force and Moro's proximity to The Guardian gave it an extra buzz.

The interior is still sparse and open, with a visible kitchen. The menu (no specials) was varied. I would usually wait for a Chinese meal before going for a pork dish, and I was a little surprised to see Middle White Pork but I enjoyed it with relish. The staff were relaxed and friendly despite our late sitting - that is, late for Britain.

I looked longingly at the chocloate tart but had no room.

Always a plus point when the house red is a fully flavoured wine - no real need to work the list.]]> Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:34:31 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1b79m8364668539 de_uk lively family & home feel good value mediterranean spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/112998
Review by dafinki

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
One of my favourites.]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 16:49:21 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1129981139990601 dafinki 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1e17k7
Review by gastro1

Rating: 5.00
Tags: turkish, family & home feel, middle eastern, business, good value, mediterranean, spanish
A really great restaurant.

Hats off to Sam and Sam.

Serious research , great ingredients and fantastic food beautifully executed covering recipes from southern Spain to Syria via North Africa.

Moro is an institution.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:43:15 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1e17k71893110905 gastro1 turkish family & home feel middle eastern business good value mediterranean spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1546z7
Review by artecmouse

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, north african, good value, spanish
Probably the best restaurant I've eaten at for food, service, wine, atmosphere and value for money. It's a bit cramped, but that's part of its canteen style. All the staff seem to thrive on hard graft and there seems to be a real passion for the place and its food/wine/sherry. All courses were brilliant, which is so refreshing as so many restaurants get starters and desserts right and fall down on the mains. We dined on Saturday evening. A group of 4. Aperitifs, wine, 3 courses £45pp. Absolute bargain. Book well in advance. It's worth the wait.]]> Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:34:40 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1546z7806060699 artecmouse lively north african good value spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1y5368
Review by antimega

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
Perfect tapas, with great wines to accompany.]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:09:39 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1y5368237631354 antimega 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1a52y7
Review by sokratis

Rating: 5.00
Tags: expensive, Exmouth Market, good value, spanish, fusion
Dopamine is a phenethylamine naturally produced by the human body. In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five types of dopamine receptor - D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, and their variants. Dopamine is produced in several areas of the brain, including the substantia nigra. Dopamine is commonly associated with the pleasure system of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate a person proactively to perform certain activities. Dopamine is released (particularly in areas such as the nucleus accumbens and striatum) by naturally rewarding experiences such as food, sex,[4][5] use of certain drugs and neutral stimuli that become associated with them.

This is what Wikipedia has to say about Dopamine. For the simple folk, dopamine is what starts flowing in your brain when you do pleasurable stuff like sex, drugs (for some) or food in our particular case.
I had a major Dopamine secretion the first time I went to Moro. The culprit was an unbelievable starter of roasted artichoke heart, with pine nut and pomegranate salad that brought me close to the Meg Ryan scene from that film a greek, hairy, male version of Meg Ryan, but still having an orgasmic moment. In my case it was real. I am not exaggerating (ok, maybe a little bit), but it was that good. The artichoke melted sweetly in the mouth, while the pomegranate added its special zing. This was followed by a perfectly cooked sea brim and the whole thing was topped off by a pear and chocolate tart that again brought me closer to my female side and Meg Ryan.
Moro is a unique combination of Spanish influences, local English produce and a passionate team behind the place intent on creating a fantastic culinary experience. It boasts a traditional wood roast oven that makes all the difference. I've eaten there twice and everything I had has been superb. The roasted pork belly, the fillet of lamb (stolen bite from Walid's plate) and even the freshly made bread really make mewant to back. I would go back every day, but the pricing is little bit high. Don't get me wrong. It's totally deserved, but my wallet can't take £30 meals every day that's the average cost per person that you'd expect to pay.
Do try Moro and while in the area pop in to Café Kick opposite to work off those calories via some table football.
]]> Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:18:47 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1a52y71579505062 sokratis expensive Exmouth Market good value spanish fusion 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1s61w8
Review by walid

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, exmouth market, middle eastern, business, continental, good value, spanish
When we set up TrustedPlaces office next to Exmouth Market, Sokratis and I went out on a scouting mission to explore our new neighborhood. During this exploration we came across the wonderful restaurant of Moro in the middle of Exmouth Market. The name "Moro" peaked my curiosity as it is the Spanish term for "Moors". According to Wikipedia Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula including present day Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal) as well as the Maghreb and western Africa, whose culture is often called Moorish.

Anyway we went to Moro yesterday and today for two business meetings and at both occasions came out delighted. Now the food that is served at Moro isn't strickly Spanish nor Middle Eastern, but more a kind of continental fusion with a Spanish or Middle Eastern influence. In any case the food there is incredible. It is professionally prepared, well laid out and perfectly cooked. The first time I was there I had the pleasure of tasting the charcoal grilled lamb with chickpea and cucumber salad and beetroot borani (£17.50), you can see the picture of the lamb. Today I had the chicken cooked in Pedro Ximenez with pine nuts and sprouting broccoli (£17.50). To be frank I can't tell which one of those two meals I preferred the most. With the chicken we had a great bottle of Spanish red called: Martin Berdugo Joven (Tinta del Pais) '05 for £16.50.... and it's worth every single penny and drop ;-)

For deserts you have a small choice to pick from but I would strongly recommend the chocolate and apricot tart that is simply supreme. You really have to try it!

The interior of Moro reminds me some of my favorite Parisian restaurants back home in terms of their simplicity. What is original about Moro is that the kitchen is pretty much wide open and you watch the chefs working diligently on their little masterpieces. What I did find kind of odd is that in spite of being right next to the kitchen you couldn't smell the food being cooked too much so they must really have a good ventilation system in there.

Obviously we're not just the ones who know about how good Moro is as this place always fills up at lunch time during the week, so I dread to imagine how it can be at night. If you're in the area and you'd like just a small snack instead of a full meal you can have some of their tasty tapas by the bar.]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:57:12 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o32f70/moro/1s61w8628270278 walid lively exmouth market middle eastern business continental good value spanish 51.52522813414 -0.11016188830114