LDNReview
Andina Notting Hill
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Everyone has that one friend who specialises in holding curious baseless beliefs. It’s one thing when they claim their sense of direction is superior to ‘that lying bastard’ the sat nav, but it’s quite another when they start arguing that the world couldn’t possibly be round because, if it was, how do you explain giraffes’ necks being so straight? That same person will probably try to tell you that Notting Hill is nothing but an expensive G Wagon garage that throws a big street party once a year.
Andina - a slick but informal restaurant based on the ‘picanterias’ of Peru - is just the place to prove that W11 isn’t all questionable art galleries and expensive candle shops. It’s a clean and modern space, but with just enough colourful touches to make sure it doesn’t feel like an Ikea showroom. Think simple Scandi furniture but with plenty of Andean textures and bright paintings of ladies in traditional Peruvian dress thrown in for good measure.
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
This isn’t a see-and-be-seen kind of place. And, whether you’re looking at the atmosphere, service, or especially the food, there isn’t a lot of posturing here. You’re going to be diving into sharing plates like the yellowfin tuna tartare without standing on ceremony (or for that matter, pausing to breathe). And the huge doorstep of richly glazed short rib manages to be hearty and delicate at the same time. That’s exactly why it’s so moreish.
Andina makes food made for enjoying, and you could come here at any time and on pretty much any occasion. Nobody would bat an eyelid if you rocked up in your Sunday worst for small plates of meatballs with sourdough for brunch, but it’s equally perfect for a slightly upscale but still casual date. You could even come here with your vegetarian fitness fanatic friends. While they eat the excellent fermented beetroot on toast and talk about how much their core work has improved their form, you can fill up on some incredibly good spicy, sticky, crunchy pork bites.
The thing is, whether you go here for a heavy duty brunch or a casual catch up that quickly descends into too many pisco sours, you’re pretty much set for a good time. As for that mate, they’ll probably always believe that Michael Jackson was ET’s cousin, but after spending a couple of hours at Andina, their opinions on restaurants in west London will probably change forever.
Food Rundown
Meatballs, Sourdough Toast
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Yellowfin Tuna Tartare
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Pork Bites
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Fermented Beetroot, Avocado Crema
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Prawn Croquettes
Carrot Fritters
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Beef Short Rib, Peruvian Potatoes
Thee Leches Cake, Merengues
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch