Since moving to London in December, I have been to El Vergel twice. Although, thinking about it, that doesn't seem right. It is a short walk from our flat and serves terrific food for a terrific price. We had hoped to visit again on Good Friday, but our luck went against us and upon arrival we found that they were taking a few well-earned days off. Hungry and now disappointed, we returned home.
T and I are both huge fans of this small neighbourhood joint and I thought that my first restaurant review on this site should be a positive one. El Vergel describes itself as Latin American and Mediterranean. The menu is indeed an interesting combination of both.
The ambiance is fun and boisterous. I find the crowd to be a mixture of American students from the LSE dorms a few blocks away and local Borough hipsters. I'm not sure we fall into either category, but I digress...
You will have to get quite cosy with your neighbours as this tiny restaurant embraces bench-style seating and you will either be sitting at a long picnic table with your fellow diners, or at one of two wall-facing counters.
The long, narrow room has a decidedly rustic feel with its wooden tables and cutlery in tin buckets. But this suits the food which is simple, no-frills and straightforward.
On the first occasion we went for lunch and I ordered a tostada: a crispy tortilla base piled high with shredded chicken, refried beans, cheese, lettuce and guacamole. A generous serving, and all for £3.90. The ingredients all tasted remarkably fresh and the tortilla gave the dish a nice crunch. T had two empanada de carne, for £2.90 a pop, which they cheerfully describe as "oven baked pasties" for the English crowd. While he was disappointed that they were not spicier, he thought they were delicious nonetheless.
Two soft drinks were ordered and the bill came up to £11.30 (+tip). A delicious bargain.
While our meals were delicious, we couldn't help but give a little envious sideways glance to the two guys sitting beside us who were tucking into huge plates of food with gusto. To rectify our plate envy, we asked the waitress who told us they had ordered the special latin breakfast which was served all day on Saturdays.
We knew what needed to be done. On our next visit, we both ordered two special latin breakfasts. The plates came quickly and featured scrambled eggs, mild salsa, bacon or chorizo, black beans, "village" bread and tea or coffee. A huge plate for £4.70. I was in love!
We both went for the chorizo option and were not disappointed. The eggs were soft and billowy, the salsa punchy and the chorizo nicely spiced. I love beans of any type and mopped up the black beans using my village bread, a flat, dense disc that I found very filling and satisfying. I opted for the tea which arrived in a nice big mug, whereas T was pleasantly surprised by the quality of his coffee.
Despite everything being so delicious, I couldn't finish my plate. We rolled out, two very full, very happy people for £9.40 plus tip.
My only gripe with El Vergel is the seating arrangements that I briefly mentioned above. On both our visits we sat at the long thin counters against the walls on either side of the room. The counter is just the tiniest amount too high, which makes for a somewhat awkward eating situation. Because of this we tend to eat and run, which perhaps suits the quick turnover style. This is not the place for a long, slow Saturday morning breakfast where you linger over a cup of coffee with the paper. This is in-and-out. It's what they do, and they do it very well.
Bottom Line: Visit, you won't be disappointed.
El Vergel
8 Lant Street, London
SE1 1QR
Tube: Borough
T and I are both huge fans of this small neighbourhood joint and I thought that my first restaurant review on this site should be a positive one. El Vergel describes itself as Latin American and Mediterranean. The menu is indeed an interesting combination of both.
The ambiance is fun and boisterous. I find the crowd to be a mixture of American students from the LSE dorms a few blocks away and local Borough hipsters. I'm not sure we fall into either category, but I digress...
You will have to get quite cosy with your neighbours as this tiny restaurant embraces bench-style seating and you will either be sitting at a long picnic table with your fellow diners, or at one of two wall-facing counters.
The long, narrow room has a decidedly rustic feel with its wooden tables and cutlery in tin buckets. But this suits the food which is simple, no-frills and straightforward.
On the first occasion we went for lunch and I ordered a tostada: a crispy tortilla base piled high with shredded chicken, refried beans, cheese, lettuce and guacamole. A generous serving, and all for £3.90. The ingredients all tasted remarkably fresh and the tortilla gave the dish a nice crunch. T had two empanada de carne, for £2.90 a pop, which they cheerfully describe as "oven baked pasties" for the English crowd. While he was disappointed that they were not spicier, he thought they were delicious nonetheless.
Two soft drinks were ordered and the bill came up to £11.30 (+tip). A delicious bargain.
While our meals were delicious, we couldn't help but give a little envious sideways glance to the two guys sitting beside us who were tucking into huge plates of food with gusto. To rectify our plate envy, we asked the waitress who told us they had ordered the special latin breakfast which was served all day on Saturdays.
We knew what needed to be done. On our next visit, we both ordered two special latin breakfasts. The plates came quickly and featured scrambled eggs, mild salsa, bacon or chorizo, black beans, "village" bread and tea or coffee. A huge plate for £4.70. I was in love!
We both went for the chorizo option and were not disappointed. The eggs were soft and billowy, the salsa punchy and the chorizo nicely spiced. I love beans of any type and mopped up the black beans using my village bread, a flat, dense disc that I found very filling and satisfying. I opted for the tea which arrived in a nice big mug, whereas T was pleasantly surprised by the quality of his coffee.
Despite everything being so delicious, I couldn't finish my plate. We rolled out, two very full, very happy people for £9.40 plus tip.
My only gripe with El Vergel is the seating arrangements that I briefly mentioned above. On both our visits we sat at the long thin counters against the walls on either side of the room. The counter is just the tiniest amount too high, which makes for a somewhat awkward eating situation. Because of this we tend to eat and run, which perhaps suits the quick turnover style. This is not the place for a long, slow Saturday morning breakfast where you linger over a cup of coffee with the paper. This is in-and-out. It's what they do, and they do it very well.
Bottom Line: Visit, you won't be disappointed.
El Vergel
8 Lant Street, London
SE1 1QR
Tube: Borough
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