Camino (Kings Cross, London) review on Fluid Eating

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Fluid Eating's Review of Camino

Dear Camino,

Thanks very much for dinner on Tuesday evening. I always find Tuesday is one of those odd nights in the week. Tuesday: just the sound of it is a bit dull, like March (as opposed to, say, Friday, or August). Anyway, it was great to come along and try out your restaurant. Haven’t had Spanish for ages. Saw that The Observer gave you ‘Bar of the Year’ not so long ago, too.

My guest commented on your location: fantastically close to Kings Cross station, and very easy to find. Though I have to say when we went under the archway into the courtyard, Spanish rustica it was not, even though your website suggests otherwise. Your exterior looks very corporate but then the restaurant is housed in a larger modern development. So glass and stark black window frames are very much the order of the day (or hopefully not, in a restaurant). Anyway, the signage and the big upturned barrel outside indicated that we were in the right place.

I liked the look of your bar. It was the first thing we saw when we went in. The rustic is there after all; a tempting cool basement-feel with lots of aged wood. Intrigue beckoned, but we didn’t go in. The intrigue had to wait. We were hungry: to the restaurant!

Your tables looked inviting, at the side of the room, near the windows. The low ceiling added a degree of intimacy that I enjoy when eating out in public. The cushioned booth looked comfortable too. However, sitting in the centre of the restaurant - though I can see its advantages being close to the kitchen and bar - was a vaguely perplexing experience. Largely due, I think, to the clear glass dome of St Paul’s proportion above us. The light shone down and produced either the hint of a spacecraft hovering overhead or a very large spotlight, on us, for the duration of our meal. Though I’m not completely unfamiliar with spotlights, my guest is. I told him to calm down. He did and, eventually, so did the spotlight, as the sun began to set. Much more intimate. I’ll think I’ll ask for a window seat next time.

We liked your menu though, lots of choice. And I see that you also do breakfast and brunch. It was great to see that carafes are available along with the usual glasses and bottles of wine. All very Spanish, and quite rightly, too. Sadly, the tapas wasn’t quite right. Granted, the crevettes were juicy and well cooked, but the chorizo had no spicy kick; the pan con tomate was just that (cold bread with bland diced tomatoes); and the aioli? I’d suggest a quick nip to the shops for garlic - the aioli we asked for as an extra when the Mixto tapas platter arrived with no sauces had no garlic in it; or none that I could decipher.

My guest told me that his rib-eye steak was generously sized, tender and juicy. He said it was very good. He said he’d only ever eaten one other steak that equalled it. An avid meat eater, he is a man who knows steaks. I tried it. It was good, very good. Lovely tangy blue cheese sauce on the side too.

I would like to say that the puddings continued with aplomb but sadly, they didn’t. Perhaps I’ll try the almond tart next time. I was looking forward to the Leche Merengada (cinnamon, star anise and lemon zest ice cream) and Horchata (Spanish tiger nut ice cream) - mmmm. I don’t think they were homemade though. You can always tell a homemade ice cream. That’s not to say that all good ice creams are homemade. But you understand what I’m saying.

Still, the service was excellent, even though the restaurant was full. And you had a small party in, on a Tuesday. I also hear you’re opening another restaurant in West Ferry quite soon. No doubt, you’ll be very busy there too if the steaks are anything to go by.

So thanks again. Although we did find the tapas and puddings a little Tuesday (and March), the steak was definitely Friday (and August). I see that you also have live music on from Thursday to Sunday. A cool eclectic choice: reggae to samba, Arabic to funk. Music would be good on a Tuesday. It would definitely help to make it a little more Friday.

Sincerely and with warm regards,
The lady who loves (homemade) ice cream

Reviewed by Claire Roberts

DESCRIPTION: Camino has been created as a place to enjoy the life, vigour and tastes of Spain.

Whether you come in for breakfast (coffee, freshly made fruit smoothies, churros and a flick through El Pais), a long lunch, an indulgent graze on cava, tapas and raciones, a seriously good wine with fresh meat and fish from the charcoal grill or the best Spanish vegetarian dishes, every experience will be real and infectious.

There are not many bars that can lay claim to the accolade ‘Best Bar In Britain’. According to The Observer, Camino is one of them.

Set in the fashionable Regent Quarter area of King’s Cross, Camino is a Spanish restaurant and bar that has brought a little bit of Southern Spain to North London.

There is a full restaurant menu with modern Spanish dishes such as ‘Pea Soup with Manchego Beignets and Truffle Oil’ or the traditional ‘Migas de Espinaca’ – (sautéed white bread and spinach dumplings with pine nuts, idiázabal cheese served with tomato and pepper sauce). There is also a tapas menu including grazing faves Embutidos, Manchego and Pan con Tomate.

Camino lists wines from the entire country of Spain and all are available by glass plus there is a selection of Spanish cocktails, beer, sherry, and the traditionally poured cider, Zythos.

Camino also hosts live Spanish, gypsy and Latin music every Sunday afternoon and serves brunch, paella and a special children’s menu. There are DJ’s every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 1am with free entrance and late night tapas with music from local talented world music DJ’s such like Richard E of Further Out Recordings and Nelson Dilatation. (Updated 24/06/2010)

Average price per head: £30.00
Additional Info: No additional info for this venue.

Camino Food & Drink Menus

Listed below are few sample food and drinks items available at Camino. These lists are not enhaustive, but are instead designed to give you an overview of the venue's offerings and assciated prices.

Camino Food menu

We've selected some of our favourite dishes from around the country with extra variety coming from the seasonal specials that change monthly. Our style of cooking is simple, honest and authentic, allowing the flavours of the natural ingredients speak for themselves. For the bar we have tapas of course - the world's greatest bar food.

Item	Price
Sarten de Patata	£4.50
For 2 to share. Panadera potatoes with green peppers and free-range egg. The Andalusian farmhouse classic. Add piquillos, chorizo, ham, pimientos de padron or manchego for £1.00.
Chuleton	£5.75
Rib-eye steak (aged minimum 28 days) cooked in true Basque style, sea-salt studded, grilled over charcoal and served sliced - ideal for sharing. The price is for 100g.

Camino Drink menu

We offer Spanish beer in frozen mugs, cava by the glass, autentic Spanish cocktails and a selection of the best Spanish wines.

Item	Description	Price
Sangria	Red wine, Santa Teresa orange rum liqueur, Soberano brandy, freshly squeezed orange juice with cinnamon, topped up with lemonade.	£4.50
Agua de Valencia	Freshly squeezed orange juice, orange rum liqueur, topped with cava.	£5.50

Camino Map

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Customer Reviews for Camino

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“Although the choice of beers (especially on tap) are limited in the bar section, the food in the restaurant, the wine list, the industrial warehouse decor, the lively atmosphere, the great courtyard, and the smiling faces all make this the best bar and restaurant in King's Cross.” Rating: — The Restaurant Hunter, London (19 Apr 2012)

“This is by far one of the most wonderful places I have been to in London. Their live bands are just amazing, and you can't be shy cos there is a huge Spanish dance culture here. The service is absolutely great, and I have never experienced such friendly bar tenders! I would highly recommend this place for a relationship 'pick me up' or a date with someone special. If I could take you there right now I would it is that great!” Rating: — Erica, london (21 Jun 2011)

“Would have been 5 stars except for the unprofessional and unpleasant behaviour of the strawberry blonde dyed haired glass collector. Everything else was perfect.” Rating: — Rachel Ind, Redhill (21 Mar 2010)

“I went to Camino for dinner with some friends (it was my friend's birthday) and despite always hearing of it, it was my first time. I had a great evening. We were seating in the biggest table with booth seatings, so it was cosy and away from the bar noise. The food was excellent. We had lots of tapas to share and I tasted pretty much all that we ordered. My favourites were the sliced steak (juicy!) and the pulpo with paprika (I soaked it in olive oil, I love olive oil and they have a very good one!). We had jugs of sangria and a good red wine (too bad I forgot the name, I'm not a wine expert at all!). The waiter was spanish and very very friendly. The service was precise: he was there when we needed him, but not bothering us all the time. He explained the menu and even performed some food skills mixing the tapas in front of us! Music was good, great ambience and delicious food. I recommend to everybody. But make sure to book first, the restaurant was busy the whole time we were there.” Rating: — Mike, London (13 Oct 2009)

“Truly representative of the tectonic changes that are driving the metamorphosis of London’s Kings Cross is Camino Bar – that is if you can find it! Nicely off the beaten track is probably more generous and that ensures that only those who know it’s there actually visit – and that’s more than enough. Walking through the alleyway into the Courtyard is the equivalent of a metaphorical shower as you leave the grime behind and enter an aesthetically pleasing, deliciously clean and funky authentic Spanish culinary & cultural experience. The secluded courtyard neatly divides the bar and restaurant and in both authenticity is the name of the game. Knowledgeable bar staff help you out with your choices from excellent Spanish wine to draught Cruzcampo served in iced glasses and artisan chefs deliver true classic Spanish cooking from the parilla (charcoal grill) whether it be red mullet, jamon iberico or steak. It’s hard to fault this place, with its gregarious atmosphere and exciting vibr” Rating: — oogywawa, York (17 May 2008)