Guide for expats in London: say NO to homesickness
It is estimated that reside in the UK about 200,000 Spaniards , although the figure is difficult to specify, since many do not register at the Consulate, and many others go only for the weekend... and decide to stay. Beyond the data, reality speaks for itself: you walk through the English capital, and you inevitably hear an accent that sounds familiar to you.
or attends you a Spaniard at the bar. Or you see a new post for Spaniards living abroad. There may be times when you prefer to create your own circle of friends. Others, you will be attacked by the craving for ham and to listen to some compatriot and to laugh at them chiquito jokes you hated when you lived in Spain.
You hear the words 'Madrid' or 'Barcelona' and your heart sinks... Friend, to console you, here is a good list of places
a) frequented by Spaniards (for when you're seriously homesick)
b) with some other Spanish (for when you feel 'integrated' in your English life, but are excited to listen to one like you)
c) where to eat in Spanish (for when the stomach-heart speaks)
d) where to buy spanish (always having Cola Cao in the pantry reconciles with life) .
1) PLACES FREQUENT BY SPANIARDS
** SCALA: ** In this concert hall they play frequently spanish groups , which makes it a good meeting point for compatriots. "I saw the Planets and I loved it, it was like being in Madrid for a few hours ", tells us Ana, one of our sources in London. "The legend says that in the surroundings (Kings Cross area) they make large bottles ", she whispers in a low voice.
Scala, for those nights longing for Madrid.
** THE ZOO BAR & CLUB :** Located in the heart of Central London (Trafalgar Square area), looks like a normal brewery, but especially after dinner (and probably largely because of Happy Hour), you can live here all a déjà vu and believe that you are in Spain , since it is filled with Spanish people. Also frequented by italians , there is a pub-restaurant area and another also for dancing.
BRADLEY'S SPANISH BAR : in full soho Londoner, it is a good place to meet fellow countrymen and ask for a Estrella Damm . "It is a shabby and central pub that is cool to watch football matches, and where you like to meet a Spanish waiter (although that is not new anymore)", they blow us.
ELRYANS : For those days when they appear your baser instincts and you NEED to watch football or basketball with a (large) group of Spaniards , to feel free to cheer on your team and toast with a Spanish beer, this is the place. You can also take a peek at one of its massive events, where the march march is guaranteed. Most take place at The Clapham Grand club, in Clapham Junction.
JETLAG BAR : Similar to the previous one (although not organized by Spaniards), this is the perfect bar to gather around sports events with the compatriots, with your team's scarf around your neck. It has a lot of screens and you can reserve seat in advance. Most recommended to drink what to eat
You have to go to the Oval Space now!
2) ESSENTIAL PLACES... WITH ANOTHER SPANISH
** OVAL SPACE ** : One superterrace in east london to take the sun, when there is. "It's not very Spanish, but you always hear Spanish being spoken. It has a bit of posture , but the place is fantastic, since from above you can see the structure of an old gas warehouse ", they blow us.
NETIL 360 : Other unmissable rooftop , although it covers an entire roof, more than recommended to appreciate the sights from all over london . It is also art gallery, cafe and a spectacular coworking space. "There is quite a bit of posturing, and yes, the occasional little Spaniard."
Electricity Showrooms, a pub, a club...
ELECTRICITY SHOWROOMS: We follow in East London , in another cool place where you will hear spanish for sure , with good beers, good food, British decoration and bearded and tattooed waiters that give it that special charm.
** V&A MUSEUM RESTAURANT : "** I take everyone (when they come to visit me) to the V&A Museum restaurant/cafe, the first restaurant made in a museum in the world "recommends Caroline Nunez , Spanish resident in London, and editor of that unmissable Brit Es Magazine. "Inside, it has three impressive halls and extends to cloister, courtyard of the building where there is always outdoor tables around the fountain. you eat wonderfully in a very special place for 10 pounds ". Write it down well! (and Carolina's magazine, too).
** DONOSTIA SOCIAL CLUB ** : "A go for Basque pintxos that move all over London, although they have a stationary van in the Brixton market", Carolina recommends us again. " Basque cuisine at a good price and that it is having a lot of success," he says. The stall is inspired by the best flavors of northern Spain and French cuisine, and belongs to ** Pop Brixton , its fixed headquarters **, in Brixton, perfect for lunch or dinner (good) at a good price.
The impressive cafe of the V&A Museum.
3) SPANISH FOOD RESTAURANTS
** TRANGALLAN :** Well actually this Galician restaurant in Newington Green meets all the above requirements, since you eat Galician and listen to Spanish. "It is a very interesting place where many artists and professionals go. The menu is varied and they define themselves as a place gastro-cultural . the owner is from Ourense ", Carolina tells us. There is a dish of the day and portions (a paella, eggs with chorizo, Galician-style octopus, an omelette...) at reasonable prices . And, although they are Galician, from time to time they make a flamenco night.
GALICIAN CENTER OF LONDON : Whether we are Galician or not, when we are away, dreaming of their food seems like paradise to us. That's where this traditional (and beloved) inn takes us wherever there are, of which the Spanish in the court of Isabel II speak wonders. Octopus, mushrooms, padrón peppers, Galician hake, rice with lobster, squid, bravas potatoes, chorizo in wine, homemade croquettes ...do you really want us to continue?
THE TASCA: A Spanish tapas chain , whose owners are not actually Spanish and who have baptized it as the Spanish Revolution. organize paella day , you can find Ham, anchovies in vinegar and gabardina prawns , among other delicacies of those that you long for. "There are all over London, one of the coolest is the one in Docklands , from the terrace you have spectacular views of a pier in the middle of the skyscrapers", comments the editor of Brit Es Magazine.
Trangallán, a cool Galician in London.
ibis : East small, unassuming, but essential tapas bar that makes its way among London critics (it has been considered one of the Best 50 by The Times) offers flavors not only Spanish, but also from the Maghreb . if you fancy Cadiz cracklings, tortilla or tabouleh, tuna, anchovies, sausage!, Spanish cheeses or wines , It's the place. Oh, and you shouldn't miss its events, including its Calçotada Festival.
EYRE BROTHERS : For a day when you want to treat yourself, or take your British mother-in-law out to dinner and impress her, this (pricey but sublime) restaurant in Shoreditch , the trendy hipster neighborhood leads to the English capital Cantabrian and Mediterranean flavors. Catalan black pudding, baby squid, Galician octopus, Iberian secret, tuna with onions ... are some of the dishes with which more than one will be impressed.
How much you miss THIS.
SPAIN : Along the same lines as the previous one (that is, with preferably English diners, demanding palates and above all to brag ), Hispania is one of the latest (big) bets of Spanish cuisine in London . Nearly a thousand square meters, in the financial district of the English capital, with a menu designed by a group of eager young chefs ( Javier Fernández Hidalgo, Iván Ortiz and Neftalí Fulfilled among them), with a menu where they may be missing a revolcona potato with octopus, tuna with escalivada, oxtail or Asturian cachopo . There is also a tasting of fabada and torrijas for dessert. cheap is not , but the experience is worth it. The place is impressive.
LAYING FOUR : Belonging to the Cambio de Tercio group (with five locations in London), its specialty is tapas and paella, and also the latter enjoy great acceptance (something difficult in the English capital) . Fairly central (on Old Brompton Road), it is comfortable , his attention has a good reputation and in addition to the predictable menu with the most frequent options (ham or paellas), it also offers more modern tapas (tataki tuna, beetroot, aubergine chips...).
In Hispania we cook with the best of our pantry.
4) WHERE TO BUY SPANISH PRODUCTS
GARCIA & SONS : If you get the Tuna morriña, fried tomato, Cola Cao, olives, oil, wine ... Or if you have to cook national cuisine and want to look good, in Portobello you will find this Spanish supermarket of reference , with almost six decades in the English capital. Also sell online , so if you're too lazy to go there (or live on the other side, London is sooo big), it's a good option.
** TOAST ** : Without reaching the power of the García, in Borough Market and in Brixton you will meet the brindisa shops , where you will find a very good product. It also has its own tapas restaurants, so freshness is guaranteed . What urges you and you don't have time to get closer? Online shopping: chorizo, cheese, olives, tuna, anchovies, or even cod at the door of the house.
** SPANDELI: Iberian ham, Gallo cannelloni, Bomba rice** and those little things that make you cry when you are away can be found in the always exciting area of Hackney (east of London), in an authentic patriotic deli, where the wine is first class and the attention, memorable. By the way: They make bread every day.
The Cola Cao that is not missing.
Toast: eat, buy, drink... and love.
May we never miss bread and ham.