Leños & Carbon — Restaurant in London

Visited on a weekday evening, when it was less busy but still relaxed and convivial, with background music and chatter lively enough to create a pleasant atmosphere without getting in the way of our conversation. It is quite Tardis-like though - there's plenty of space inside but the entrance is small and unassuming - we walked past it the first time.

There are plenty of starters and sharing plates on the menu, including empanadas (pocket sized, tasty, and a bargain at only £1.50 each), plantain fritters (reasonable portions, but were a little dry on their own, and probably best enjoyed with one of the add-on toppings) and arepas (which some with a variety of meats, but we chose pork belly, tender meat on one side and perfectly crunchy crackling on the other). Interestingly, the best side was the yuca frita (cassava fries). The fresh fruit juices were also delightful - the passion fruit was light and refreshing, while the mango was almost a dessert in itself, rich and smooth, not unlike an Indian lassi.

In terms of mains, the mixed grill is the priciest menu item (£27) but very generous, with decent pork ribs slathered in bbq sauce, a mouthwatering Columbian chorizo, pork chop, steak and chicken (although the chicken and steak were improved by the fiery chilli and chimichurri style sauces provided on the side), with chips and rice included as standard sides.

The absolute standout was the churrasco al carbon - we ordered medium rare and enjoyed a huge, well seasoned and perfectly grilled T-bone steak that melted in the mouth. Even thinking about it now makes me want to rush back to Elephant and Castle to see if it's as good as I remember.

Overall, this was a great experience with friendly service, generous portions of tasty food served in a friendly atmosphere at prices that cater to every budget and flavours that cater to anyone who...

We visited the restaurant tonight for my husband’s birthday after hearing great recommendations from family friends. Before booking, I called the restaurant to confirm details, including their policy on bringing our own cake and champagne. The lady over the phone assured me that it was allowed with no extra charge. To be sure, I even called again on the day of the reservation, and a staff member confirmed the same information.

On the night of our celebration, everything was perfect the food, the atmosphere, and the friendly staff. However, when it was time to bring out the cake and champagne, I double-checked with the waiter to confirm that there was no extra charge, and again, I was told not to worry. Minutes later, the same waiter returned to inform me that there was actually a £20 per person charge for this, which was a complete surprise.

I asked to speak with the manager, expecting a professional resolution. Unfortunately, as a General Manager myself, I found his approach unprofessional. Instead of handling the situation with understanding, he failed to acknowledge the miscommunication and did not address the inconsistency in what multiple staff members had told me.

My suggestion to management: Ensure all staff members are properly trained and aligned with restaurant policies to avoid misleading customers. Clear communication is key to providing a great dining experience.

Would I return? Yes, because aside from this issue, the overall experience was enjoyable, and the rest of the staff was great. However, I strongly recommend that management improves staff training to prevent similar misunderstandings...

Easily one of the best steaks I've had in london, and for a fraction of the price

I ordered the Filete de Carne Al carbon (£18) which came with 2 massive pieces of meat on one plate, and another plate of rice, salad and chips. I asked for medium rare and the steak was juicy and you can taste the smoke from the grill (and not burnt).

There was two sauces: a spicy sauce which was a bit too spicy for me, but the chimchurri sauce was out of this world! The rice is a perfect compliment and I mixed the meat sauces in it. Chips were unsalted and the salad didn't have much dressing but was good to make the meal not too heavy.

I went with a vegetarian and there aren't too many veggie options. They had a bandeja paisa vegetariana (red kidney bean stew, with rice, plantain, cassava, egg and avocado for £15). I tried a bit and it was OK - I don't think I'd be back for that.

I had the soursop smoothie with milk (you can choose a water version) and it was delicious! Definite must try, it smells like pineapple, flavour of strawberry and apple, and a creamy texture that's just like banana!

Staff was really friendly but there was only 2 attending to tables, so you might have to wait a bit for the service or bill. It can get a bit smoky (from the kitchen). There are two TVs there so you get an interesting insight into Colombian news, movies and ads!

As we were leaving I saw the table next to us get their order of Churrasco al carbón (£25.5) and a massive piece of meat on a sizzling pan came out. Definitely trying that next time with my meat...