If you’re going to name your flagship London restaurant after one of life’s most humble essentials, rice, it goes without saying you’re gonna need to make damn sure the aforementioned ingredient really shines. Spoiler alert: Arros QD absolutely delivers on this front.
It's no wonder why, because Quique Dacosta is not short of an accolade or two. Not only does he boast a renowned space near Valencia, the home of paella, but he's also listed in the world’s 50 best chefs and the holder of seven Michelin stars. In 2019, he brought his unwavering passion of refined Spanish favourites (designed for sharing) to Fitzrovia, and last November it was joined by swish in-house bar Fuego, a semi-private area next to the main restaurant on the ground floor.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Fuego and Arros QD
Arros QD, pictured left and Fuego (on the right hand side) were unified with contemporary decor and curious finishing touches.
Need To Know:
- Address: 64 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8NQ
- Area: Fitzrovia
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: we started our evening in Fuego first for cocktails, the stunning bar space next to the main restaurant. Across both sections, expect moody, classy and stylish interiors: think onyx-coloured tiles and dark stone set against an amber light, giving an almost volcanic lava-like glow. Contrast came from an array of hanging plants and olive trees, plus I particularly liked the curved mirrors, wood sculptures, glass trinkets and a giant wall of wine bottles cleverly dividing the zones. Terracotta-coloured velvet chairs paired with similar-toned patterned rugs tied everything together nicely. But what seriously impressed us? A six-metre wood fire stove that covers a whole side.
- Perfect for: whether for a romantic, slinky date night idea, after-work drinks or a restaurant ideal for celebrating special occasions, look no further than Arros QD London and Fuego bar.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £166.60 (excluding service)
Fuego bar, pictured left, proved to be a
great spot for cocktails, while the giant paella (shown right) was
a sight to behold.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In addition to starters and appetisers, Arros QD’s menu also includes dishes 'from the fire' and 'prime whole cuts' but we made a beeline for what they're most famous for: wood-fired rice.
- Fresh burrata (£20) – using crispy, Indian-inspired panipuri spheres, revealing a divine tomato emulsion inner layer, was a totally genius move here. They worked in complete harmony with the silky cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts too.
- Cecina and Idiazabal cheese (£19.50) – what an incredible dish. From the intense, delicately sliced cured beef to the nutty wild mushroom escabeche, not forgetting the theatrical presentation where the punchy smoked cheese was grated at your table, this starter was flawless across the board.
- Mushroom rice (£36 per person) – served in multiples of two and drizzled in an indulgent truffle cream, this generously-portioned star of the show was brought to life by an array of seasonal mushrooms. We were informed the rice is cooked over wood like beech and apple – adding to the rich, earthy flavour that had incredible depth. And yes, honouring the traditional Valencian method, the paella had a great crisp base (or socarrat) that this icon is known for.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- La Picante (£15) – Fuego nailed this classic. The level of spice was perfect, plus the coriander gave this cocktail a new dimension.
- Levante Mule (£15) – served long, prepare for an elegant take on a Moscow mule. Think preserved lemon and thyme cordial alongside vodka and ginger beer.
- Camino Verde (£15) – I’m so glad I followed the bartender’s recommendation, as this tipple was so unusual and leaned towards the more savoury side. Using rum that was infused with fresh oregano, this beautiful sip also blended lime juice, sugar syrup and a herbaceous Mexican liqueur made from chillies, giving it a lovely subtle heat.
- From Normandy with Love (£10) – our host said
this alcohol-free number, combining ginger ale, apple juice and
cinnamon syrup, was like liquid apple pie. He absolutely hit the
nail on the head – it was amazing.
Our Overall Experience At Fuego and Arros QD
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For a brief moment, I shut my eyes and genuinely believed I was
back on holiday in Valencia, where I went on a bar crawl-like
search for the best paella around. But here in Central London,
Arros QD has taken the famous staple, rooted in tradition, and
elevated it to the next level – in striking and beautiful
surrounds. I honestly so wish I had more room in my stomach for
Fuego’s bar snacks and some extra dishes on the main menu.
We’ll just have to return again...
