Keep it simple and do it well is a mantra that more restaurants should follow. If Barrafina were not enough for fans of all things Spanish, then Parillan, from the same team, takes things to another level. There are few better outdoor spots to eat and drink, sit back and relax anywhere in London.
King’s Cross has undergone a remarkable redevelopment in recent years. Diners have no shortage of options, but Parillan seems to have secured the best seat in the house. It’s located on the upper level of Coal Drops Yard. The terrace allows guests to survey the nearby Regent’s Canal and broader London skyline but would not feel out of place adjacent to a beach club in the Mediterranean. The décor is timeless: think marble and tiles with a swathe of greenery. The sheer size of the terrace is impressive too, seating 100 covers – even if booking is necessary.
In terms of what to expect, the clue is in the name. A parilla is the Spanish term for grill. Said item is brought to the table and – you’ve guessed it – diners are expected to cook their own food. Were this a daily requirement, it could easily get tiresome, but the novelty and experience should win over most sceptics. It’s not all about meat and fish either. Various vegetables can be self-cooked too, and even prior to getting grilling, there is a selection of tapas to whet appetites.
Our enthusiastic server was on hand not only to steer us appropriately across the menu but also to show novices how best to operate the grill (tip: drizzle olive oil lightly on your protein while preparing). We kicked things off with a Spanish take on Aperol Spritz, with the Italian spirit swapped out for sherry, Prosecco for Cava. This set the tone well. Superb sardines on toast plus a handful of other ‘para picar’ dishes followed before the main event. Basque Txistorra sausage and beef with a spiced green sauce were our top two hits from the grill.
We were left happily full, although on a different day either olive ice cream or Parillan’s cheesecake (again from Basque country) would have made for tempting desserts. A second bottle of wine (an excellent Garnacha from Priorat) served as a great alternative. Although there was some confusion getting it to our table – which undermined otherwise excellent service – we were delighted that the venue let us linger. We could easily have stayed longer, but discretion proved the better part of valour. Time to make another booking then…