Ember Yard - Tapas & Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in London

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, GREAT WINE & CHARITY IN SOHO...

I discovered Ember Yard because I couldn't be bothered to remain in a Pizza Pilgrim (Kingly Court) having been ignored for 5 minutes to place a take-away order and didn't want to pay the prices on offer at Tabun Kitchen.

It should remind you how much eating competition there is in London and something you should never let restaurants/bars/cafes etc. forget.

It was the sign outside that swung this establishment for me. They were offering a £10 Spicy Lamb Shoulder on their #CookForSyria Unicef Deals. With £2 going to help the Syrian Refuges.

Upon arrival the maitre de said he could accommodate me at the bar (this being early on a Friday night, I felt I was lucky to get in anywhere at all).

As soon as I sat down, Francseco the (award winning I've later discovered) barman, was ensuring my night was going to be a good one.

I'd only dropped by to pick up a quick bite. But already I felt I was receiving Michelin starred service. "Was the special all I wanted", yes, it was. "Can I interest you in tasting of one of our wines". Well, obviously :-).

And so it went on.

My dinner arrived. I was a little disappointed with my lamb if truth be told. When ever I read the words "slow cooked" I'm expecting melt in your mouth type meat. This wasn't, this required chewing... a lot.

Now, I didn't complain, because it wasn't a bad thing in itself and equally, the crispy bits of the meat had implied it had been on the grill at some point in it's cooking process and maybe was expected to be that.

As i say, just a little cognitive dissonance between the words on the menu and the taste and texture of the food.

But it was flavoursome, fresh and I enjoyed it. Especially as Francesco ensured I had the excellent sauces, that miraculously appeared then seemed to refill themselves at perfect moments seemingly unaided.

But it was the Callas Mora wine tasting that really drew my attention. Francseco's pairing of wine with food was perfection.

The size of meal was exactly what I'd come for, the vibe perfect for the location, the service exceptional and I left feeling smug that having eaten and drunk, I'd actually benefitted someone worse off than myself.

The charity offer runs until the end of November - so go treat yourself to some good food, excellent wine and tell Francesco I sent you for some superb recommendations (and maybe a taste).

You'll feel better for...

Ember Yard is a fantastic tapas restaurant in Soho from the Salt Yard Group. The Salt Yard family was founded by Sanja Moll and Simon Mullins’ who took inspiration from their experiences and love of eating and drinking throughout Spain and Italy.

Ember Yard specialises in dishes inspired by the amazing wood-fired grills of Spain and Italy. The restaurant is located in the heart of Soho over two floors with slick interiors. We dined downstairs in The Ember Bar on the stools whilst watching mixologist, Stefano, make his cocktail creations.

From the Charcuterie and Bar Snacks we had

Patatas Bravas with Alioli ( (£4.5) Padron peppers (£6) Chargrilled Flatbread, Thyme, Smoked Butter (£4.5) Chorizo, 8 month aged N’duja Orba and Manchego Ojo De Guadian (£12)

The patatas were small, crispy and moreish and the peppers had the perfect salty kick. The N’duja was AMAZING – so fresh, spicy and delicious, perfectly accompanied by the chorizo and manchego.

Ember Yard is a relaxed tapas restaurant in Soho with lovely service and a great selection of dishes. Make sure you order the bar snacks and charcuterie to start your evening and a couple of cocktails! They also offer a great value sharing...

I recently hosted a large group at Ember Yard, and I can’t recommend it enough! The booking process was seamless—quick, professional, and with prompt responses. The staff provided all the helpful information I needed, and everything was clear from the start.

Upon arrival, we were seated in the Josper Room, a wonderfully cozy and private space in the basement. The room comfortably accommodated all 15 of us at a beautifully set table, which was the perfect setting for a great evening.

The tapas were a true highlight—every dish was a delight! The flavors were amazing, and each bite was better than the last. The only minor feedback I’d have is that the chicken and potatoes were a little on the dry side, but that’s a very small note compared to the overall excellence of the meal. The rest of the food was outstanding—abundant, flavorful, and definitely a treat.

The wine selection was also top-notch and paired perfectly with the dishes, enhancing the whole dining experience.

All in all, Ember Yard delivered an incredible experience, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for delicious tapas and...