Bar 61 Restaurant — Restaurant in London

I have come to the conclusion that it really depends a lot on who is writing the reviews of a restaurant on whether this deserves or not. Personally I feel that if it was mostly Spanish people that reviewed this place it probably wouldn't be rated this highly and I feel that British people tend to go gaga at good service and atmosphere, so much indeed that they will oversee mediocre food on their plate.

This is the case with Bar 61.

Bar 61 has a great decor and atmosphere and the service I must say is AMAZING, the man who attended us was cordial, friendly, went out of his way to please us and he even said that if we didn't like something we wouldn't have to pay for it. I must say that it was this level of services that stopped me from giving the place a two star, because he really was very kind.

Now regarding the food let me tell you it wasn't the most affordable Spanish food we had or the best one. The Octopus as I recall it was quite mediocre and the rest of the dishes didn't taste out of this world or as authentic as we would have liked it. I can't go into specifics as I visited this place I while back, but I can assure you I was not blown away by it.

If you compare the octopus or most of their dishes with Bodega in Portobello or Centro Galego de Londres it pales in comparison.

We really went far to visit this place, as we went all the way from Ealing and we were not particularly thrilled by the food.

If I was around the area, I may have gone again, but I would never recommend it as an amazing Spanish restaurant or go out of my way...

Bar 61 is a small neighborhood restaurant serving wonderful Spanish tapas and fine Mediterranean cuisine located in an eclectic area of town right on a major bus transit line (we rode a red double decker bus there - so fun!). The Streatham Hill area appears to be a working class transitioning area filled with lively local eateries, drinking establishments, and is very safe for tourists security-wise. The wait staff was very friendly providing excellent service and was very helpful in recommending a delicious array of choice savory morsels. The prices are VERY reasonable and there is a wide variety of European fine wines, and delectable liquors. The main room has a festive vibe, and is decorated with old photographs, paintings, and fun colored lighting - tables are cloth covered. I would recommend this restaurant in a heartbeat 💗 to anyone who wants a unique London experience with a very local flair, reasonable prices, and friendly staff. I will be in London for just 2 more days, and will return to Bar 61 for dinner again on my last night here. ...

I recently had dinner with a friend at Bar 61 in Streatham. I was surprised to see the place had been refreshed — the new décor looks lovely and gives a nice first impression. Unfortunately, I also learned that the old owners are no longer there, and sadly, the food quality has dropped dramatically.

I ordered the Gambas al Ajillo and Patatas Bravas. The prawns were overcooked, the garlic was burnt, and the dish was swimming in heavy oil. To make things worse, the prawns hadn’t been cleaned properly, which made it really unpleasant. The Patatas Bravas were equally disappointing — just a few potatoes with a bit of tomato sauce and way too much mayonnaise. I have no idea why there was mayonnaise on bravas; it completely missed the mark.

On a positive note, the staff — the owner, barista, and waiter — were all very friendly and welcoming, which made the experience a bit better. But honestly, the food needs a lot of improvement. I used to love this place, but after this visit, it’s just not the...