First I had to miss out on being a friend’s plus-one to the opening party when a course of medication I’d started caused some unpleasant and unpredictable side-effects including spontaneously passing out – never a good look when you’re trying to network over patatas bravas. Then a scheduled dinner date with two pals had to be called off when first one cancelled because both his kids had the lurgy, and then the other because he had it. Jose seemed by all accounts to be under a bit of a jinx.

But thank goodness the jinx broke and, third time lucky, I finally got to experience Jose; I’m pleased to report that it was worth the wait. It’s by no means original – great tapas and sherry bars are springing up all over town at a very pleasing rate  – but Jose is more than just a great tapas bar, it’s a great restaurant full stop, turning out some of the best food I’ve had of any type, anywhere, recently.

Jose occupies an attractive curve-fronted corner site on Bermondsey Street, spitting distance from Borough Market where Pizarro made his name at Brindisa. It’s a tiny little place, seating probably no more than twenty at the tiled bar and at counters in the centre of the room and along the windows, with some additional standing room at a couple of up-ended sherry barrels. By day, light pours through the tall windows making the space feel bright and welcoming; as night falls and the room fills up – and boy does it fill up – it gets buzzier and more intimate…

…To read the rest, click here to visit Hugh Wright’s blog, Twelvepointfivepercent.com – London Restaurant Reviews Of Real Discretion. 

Follow Hugh on Twitter: @HRWright

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