EQP is on my block so I was keen to check it out. Firstly I love what they have done with the place. Previously it was a much loved but fairly grungy, shabby coffee hole. Now it's a pretty, atmospheric space with a horseshoe bar, stool seating and beautiful lighting from some cool chandeliers. Secondly, the barman is great. Really knowledgeable about the wines. We tried a nice bottle of cava and the horchata which they make with tiger nuts and spike with alcohol - really very good. But the downside for us was the food. It really wasn't consistent. Good things we ordered were the Spanish cracklings - a moreish crunchy pork belly-like snack, the salt cod fritters and the cheese plates. Not so great things: the pig's ear salad. This was cold, gelatinous Russian salad minus the mayo with hard nuggets of pig's ear. If you are going to feature an unusual pig part on your menu, it's got to at least taste good (St John's restaurant in London is a lesson in successful 'nose to tail eating'). The sea urchin and prosciutto paninis suffered from being drenched inside with olive oil which just made them way too rich. The aubergine with honey was no more than the sum of its parts. The prawns in garlic were good but no different to the prawns in garlic you would get in any average tapas joint. I'd go back for a glass of cava after work and some of the cracklings but I would skip EQP for a whole meal, at least until they iron out the inconsistencies in the kitchen.
Pros: Atmosphere, good drinks & pleasant bar staff
Cons: Inconsistent food
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