In Oxford – Reviewed in June 2008
Although it would be unrealistic of me to even try and convince you that my family and I felt like we were in another country, the riverside setting and cool Latin tunes certainly set a relaxed mood away from the hum drum of the city Las Iguanas finds itself at the centre of.
I seriously love this restaurant, curly fries are tops! said Edward on his second bowl, Tina had her best paella in years and Abi, not one for her outpouring of generous comment, gave Las Iguanas ten out of ten.
Although Las Iguanas has been in Oxford for well over a year now, I had never been in the tardis like restaurant. To be honest, I didn't realise it was so family friendly. Not only is it huge and tremendously spacious inside, not that I condone kids' relay races in restaurants, but it is fantastically warm and inviting.
We were greeted by Bekki's warm smile and were looked after brilliantly by all of the staff as soon as we walked in.
So what did we have?
Abi had the Chilli Con Carne with curly fries and Ed had the Shredded Chicken and Cheese Chimichanga, to which he added extra cheese, curly fries, yet more cheese and more curly fries!
Tina had the Gambas to start, four split tiger prawns cooked in lemon and chilli butter, served with freshly baked bread. Have you seen the film "Gone in Sixty Seconds"? I had the Pato Taquito, a chargrilled tortilla filled with shredded duck and caramelized onion, with sweet chilli jam. Delightful.
For our mains, Tina chose the Puerto Rican Paella and I plunged for the Gourmet Chicken Fajitas. We know how Tina felt about her Paella and my Fajitas were as good as any I have had. Top marks to the chef.
Surely we couldn't even contemplate one last course?
Abi had been beaten, she was just happy colouring in the menu, well I hope it was the menu. Ed went for the ice cream, telling us it was "the best I have ever had", although I think he was slightly intoxicated by this time on a powerful cocktail of curly fries, cheese and coke, which will forever after be referred to as the "dreaded three c's"!
I convinced Tina to go for the Chocolate Banoffi Pie, my favourite, but I just couldn?t summon the courage to order it myself after such indulgence. "Two spoons please Bekki!" If you want to die happy, have this dessert every day for the rest of your life, naughty, very, very, very naughty, but nice!
Thanks to Las Iguanas, a perfect family restaurant.
Richard, Tina, Ed and Abi
Destination Milton Keynes – Reviewed in May 2008
I must own up at the beginning, I'm not a big fan of Latin/Mexican food so I was a little apprehensive about going to Las Iguanas. But I'd already heard very good things about this restaurant and I wanted to see if it lived up to its growing reputation. I was not disappointed!
This Friday evening happened to be a pretty warm night (for Britain anyway) so there were a lot of people taking full advantage of the alfresco bar and dining area at the front of the restaurant. This made for a lively atmosphere and as we went through the main door, Latin music was playing and a good crowd was already gathered at the bar.After being shown to our table we were given an extensive menu of both food and drinks. You can get white wine, red wine, sparkling wine, champagne, beer, cider, cocktails, caipirinhas, mojitos, non-alcoholic coolers and smoothies and the usual mix of other soft drinks. After we'd picked a few of the more outrageous cocktails to sample, then came the decision of what to eat.Las Iguanas offer a fantastic early evening (and lunchtime) menu at a great price for either one or two courses, but we were too late for this so had the pick of the whole menu.
To start we decided to go for three tapas-style dishes; a classic open style quesadilla with grilled artichoke hearts, asparagus and jalapenos covered in melted mozzarella, we also chose Pato Taquito which is a chargrilled tortilla filled with shredded duck and sweet chilli jam, and the last one was Gambas, a traditional dish of tiger prawns cooked in lemon and chilli butter. All were simply delicious and the portion sizes were really good meaning we were pretty full up even before the main courses arrived.Being a little nervous of spices I decided to go traditional with my main course choosing a lamb gourmet fajita which arrived in typical flamboyant fashion sizzling away on a platter. Fajitas are kind of DIY food, you get all the parts, the tortillas, the meat, onions and peppers, and the guacamole, sour cream and salsa. You put all the bits together to get wonderful tasting wraps, that really give a taste of Latin America. My other half picked Carne Grilado, an 8oz South American 21-day matured sirloin steak, simply seasoned and served with Patatas Bravas and a Peri-peri sauce. Again the portion sizes were very good and the individual tastes of each really shone through.
After all that, we dawdled over whether we could manage a dessert - but after seeing the menu we just couldn't resist. After polishing off a trio of brulees (rhubarb, ginger and vanilla) and a simply irresistible choclate banoffee pie which just has to be tried, we finished with a cafe con lache (milky coffee) and sat wondering how we were going to fit back into the car!
As you would expect for a Latin American restaurant it feels lively, the music plays constantly and there is a real buzz in the air. Everyone seemed to be determined to enjoy themselves and after a few cocktails we definitely got in the mood. The food is very high quality and good value for money, so you come out full-up but not wondering how your credit card is going to get paid!For a great night out with good Latin American food to boot, you can't go wrong with a visit to Las Iguanas.
Ratings:
Atmosphere: 9/10
Menu range: 8/10
Quality of food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Value for money: 8/10
Express & Star (Midlands) – Reviewed in May 2008
Eating Out West (Venue) – Reviewed in April 2008
Fun, funky and value for money, the cachacaria bars (cachaca being the national spirit of Brazil, and these guys distil their own brand), combines with some of the finest South American food around have made Las Iguanas a national favourite, so popular in its home town that there are now two branches (and another one just up the road in Bath). 'Las Iguanas has managed to carve out a nice little corner of Anchor Square for itself and very pleasant it is too, with an intelligent use of floorspace andlighting,' said Venue's own lizard king of the new branch. 'There's a good, well balanced mix of humanity here and a goodtime feel as a party venue which you can sample in spades even if there's only two of you.' Superb cocktails help to keep the party going, while excellent tapas and a good selection of fish, vegetarian options and salads soak it all up in style.
Exposed, Sheffield – Reviewed in March 2008
Time Out – Reviewed in October 2007
This great Latin American bar and restaurant even boasts a cachacaria where you can sip superb caipirinhas made with cachaca from Las Iguanas' very own sugar plantation in Rio.
Leeds Guide - Food & Drink Top Ten – Reviewed in September 2007
This bustling restaurant and bar provides a perfect mix of tasty and authentic Latin food. Wash it down with a tangy margarita for the perfect Brazilian getaway.
London Lite – Reviewed in August 2007
Drink Tonight...Caipirinhas. The popular Southbank party venue now has a new branch in The O2 arena, with the same playful atmosphere and styling. Las Iguanas source their own cachaca from Brazil to make a solid classic cocktail muddled with lime and sugar.
Time Out – Reviewed in August 2007
Las Iguanas, The O2. Attractive South American restaurant, currently best choice of the selection in the Dome's mall like interior
(The Food & Drink 50; Time Out's 'essential chart of the capital's best restaurants and bars, old and new' )
Time Out – Reviewed in June 2007
Bringing a touch of Latin America to Southbank Centre, Las Iguanas serves up a zesty blend of Brazilian tapas, tortillas, steaks and chimichangas. Although the seasoned meatballs, cusquinha and steak fajitas are well worth working up an appetite for, the big draw of Las Iguanas is the Cachaçaria which serves up some of the most authentic caipirinhas in London.
Sunday Telegraph – Reviewed in April 2007
MORE LATIN LOVELIES...Las Iguanas, Anchor Square, Bristol. The rich flavours of South America, Portugal and Africa are united in the signature dish, xinxim - a Brazilian chicken recipe with a creamy crayfish and peanut sauce, rice, fine beans and sweet plantain
Redbrick - Birmingham University – Reviewed in March 2007
Las Iguanas is a great place to eat; you can have a great evening out with a taste of Latin America without actually making the journey. You can have a fresh and delicious meal before a night out, or even just prop up the bar sipping cocktails and enjoying some tapas after a heavy shopping stint at the Bullring.
This restaurant is a hidden jewel and worthy of a five star rating.
The Brighton Source – Reviewed in March 2007
The Place. Las Iguanas is the airy Latin fusion chain opposite the library. Like Carpoocchios it sprang up when they rebuilt the block and plies brisk trade. Unabashedly modern, it has warm, dark red hues, comfy sofas around the edge and one end dedicated to a large bar which leaks lively Latin atmosphere.The Meal. We’re crazy for fusion tonight. Bypassing tapas options we go for queso fritos and bocatilla quesos, roasted goats cheese and jam, particularly scrummy. Next we opt for butternut squash and zucchini chimichanga and their signature Puerto Rican Paella…In the event both mains are delicious. Perhaps the chimi has the edge with the right crispness to the tortilla, a puddle of beautifully-made black bean sauce and the obligatory guac and salsa on top. The Verdict. Finding food from the
Sheffield Steel Press – Reviewed in October 2006
Las Iguanas, tucked away in the West One complex, is a piece of Latino lovliness... I will certainly be dining there again - the food is delicious, the drink goes down well and the atmosphere is buzzing yet chilled, with friendly staff who look like they are enjoying themselves as much as the guests are.
Itchy Guide London – Reviewed in October 2006
Very reasonable prices, cosy booths and universal appeal make it a decent bet for most get togethers, and the outdoor seating overlooking the river is glorious...
Bristol Evening Post – Reviewed in July 2006
...my companion smacked his chops and gloated over his choice of black tiger prawn fajitas with lemon and coriander which had gradually assembled itself on our table as the fleet of waiting staff ferried its various elements from the kitchen; a covered dish of hot tortilla pancakes to the final sizzling platter of seafood heaped on soft and caramelised onions and sliced green peppers, a finger bowl and so on. This was a coup de theatre, and theatre certainly has its place in a good restaurant- after all part of the pleasure comes in the anticipation of tasty food. Fortunately for my companion, the fajitas were every bit as good as their flamboyant entrance.
South Wales Echo – Reviewed in February 2006
It's the place to be in the summer when Mill Lane is buzzing and the shutters are thrown wide open. But in the middle of winter it's equally cosy... An interesting mix of native Latin American Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and African food... Fast service, good choice, just what you need in a lunch hour.
Itchy Guide Leeds – Reviewed in January 2006
One for the Latin lovers out there, this. The hungry among you can sample the regional South American food, including Xinxim, and for those of you who like the odd Mojito, head for the Cachacaria, (named after Brazil's National Drink). Grab yourself one of the cocktails, plonk yourself down amongst the mosaic tabletops and Latin artefacts and, but for the fact that it's probably raining, you could just as easily be in Sao Paulo as Leeds.
Andrew Kay, Latest 7, Brighton – Reviewed in December 2005
…I was rather impressed, it was certainly more exciting than I had expected, and some gigantic prawns were really very good indeed. Spicy, crisp chicken was piquant and duck tortillas juicy and sweet.
Xinxim chicken comes in a rich and creamy sauce made, I am told, with lime, peanuts, crayfish and palm oil. It’s certainly rib-sticking stuff and despite being pretty full I couldn’t help but keep returning to it. It had an addictive flavour that made me suspect that they might be adding something else from South America – but I am sure that they would not be so naughty.
A plate of Cordero was amongst the best cooked lamb I have tasted in a while and as tender as can be. Had I not already eaten enough for three I might have made more of an impression on the roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes that lay beneath.
I rather like Las Iguanas. It’s fun food without the pretensions and it arrives in good quantities and piping hot. I didn’t allow Gloria a chance to bring dessert, that really would have been a course too far, but I guess we will return and do the tapas and caipirinha thing again. In fact a few days later I popped in with a colleague and we had an excellent £7 set lunch, two courses and of course two caipirinhas…
Itchy Guide Brighton – Reviewed in November 2005
There’s a time and a place for everything, and when it’s time to eat like a Latino, this place hits the spot. It’s unusual in that, while they serve all the Mexican favourites, Las Iguanas tends to focus on Brazilian dishes you’ve never heard of. That's not a bad thing though, which you'll realise once you’ve tried a couple. Whether you fancy munchin’ on a luncheon of tapas, taking refuge in the bar for cocktails or having a full on chilli-out, these guys know the score
The Leeds Guide – Reviewed in August 2005
Las Iguanas seems to have quickly established itself as the ideal after work venue to escape the city. In here the atmosphere is permanently revved up by samba rhythms and a chattering crowd loosened by dozens of the zesty cocktails offered at the bar — or cachaçaria as they prefer to call it. Once sat down you can almost make believe that you’ve spent the day playing volleyball outside the Copacabana before heading for the town centre in search of a decent party.
The restaurant is keen to remain true to the Latin spirit, which obliges them to keep it informal with a selection of tapas, sides and fiery cuisine to warm up those rainy grey days on
A thoroughly enjoyable experience, and at approximately £50 for a three course meal for two including sides and a bottle of white wine, it’s not over-priced either.
24-7 – Reviewed in June 2005
Las Iguanas is one of those magical places that can transport your imagination half a world away and leave you thinking it’s high time you treated yourself to a much deserved holiday somewhere hot, sultry and always within earshot of a samba beat.
Las Iguanas offers the chance to dine out in style, or if you prefer, to enjoy a quick tapas break in your busy schedule or to sink a couple of ice cold beers on a sweltering summer’s day. Whatever kind of dining experience you’re after, though, you’re guaranteed a blend of cool, smart décor, intoxicating Latin beats and fresh, tasty and authentic food boasting a truly delightful fusion of native Latin American Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and African influences.
Las Iguanas is an experience to return to time and again.
Metro Midlands – Reviewed in June 2005
Las Iguanas sources its own cachaca (the national tipple of Brazil, a wonderfully underrated, subtle spirit) then has its bartenders work their magic, adding sugar and limes to create what must be the best Caipirinhas in Birmingham.
Metro – Reviewed in January 2005
Below the hub of Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas (to which it belongs), Pulp (Bath) has a formidable reputation as one of the best free-pour bars in town. Of the 25 varieties of cocktail on offer, the Cana Royale - a blend of cachaça, raspberry liqueur, elderflower and champagne is fabulously regal; while Pulp's trademark tipple, Caipirinha, is mixed with the restaurant's own brand of cachaça, harvested from its sugar cane plantation outside Rio.
69 Magazine – Reviewed in November 2004
Las Iguanas is a venue for most occasions that is as tasty as the food. There is no question that if you are bored of the flat atmosphere in many of the city's other restaurants and want to dine somewhere that leaves you feeling as zingy as the décor, you're sure to love Las Iguanas.
Independent on Sunday – Reviewed in August 2004
Iguanas must be the rabbits of Brazil - there are now seven across Britain. The formula is infectious: a modern space, loud salsa and non-stop caipirinhas made with Las Iguanas's own cachaca, brewed near Rio. The menu runs like a stunned lizard, from Mexican nachos and fajitas to Brazilian swordfish moqueca and ribeye in an Argentinian churrasco rub.
Restaurant Magazine – Reviewed in October 2003
Informal, bright Latin fun.
Leicester Mercury – Reviewed in October 2003
While some new venues creep into the city and hang back shyly waiting to be noticed, that cannot be said of Las Iguanas. Hundreds of guests crammed into the restaurant and cachaçaria's sizable Belvoir Street home for the opening night bash, with more queueing outside, all keen to taste the South American food and cocktails, swing to the salsa and drink up the lively atmosphere.
Las Iguanas's reputation, it seems, goes before it. The Leicester branch is far from being the first but the menu, interior and atmosphere have none of the tired predictability we so often moan about when reviewing chain venues.
The abundance of wood, stone and mosaic and the colour scheme of rich browns and reds help conjure the atmosphere of a hot, laid-back evening in Rio. It is a vibrant alternative to the minimal, sometimes anaemic décor new bars seem so fond of.
Snuggle into a booth near the bar and nibble tapas, which are reasonably priced, fresh and tasty, well-proportioned and highly recommended after shopping. Or you can people-watch while sipping cocktails based on Cachaça, the Brazilian sugar-cane based spirit.
The menu, if you fancy a more substantial meal, is mouthwatering. It is clear from what we have seen on our many visits (we had to go back for more cocktails) that older couples feel as comfortable here as gaggles of girls, families and business folk.
We are particularly excited about the fact that finally there is a place in the city where there is a fair chance you will find yourself listening to Joao Gilberto as you sip your Caipirinhas. Fabulous.
Guardian Unlimited – Reviewed in September 2003
In a city where the locals are desperate to believe they are really in the Mediterranean, Las Iguanas on the Whiteladies Road in Bristol comes close to fulfilling their dreams. The café's tables spill ubiquitously onto the pavement of what is now known as the Golden Mile, so you can sit nibbling on your fresh boquerones and watch combat-trousered locals pass by.
The patatas bravas are fiery hot while fat green olives come with a plentiful supply of very fresh bread. The albondigas slip down well with a glass of chilled cava at only £3 per glass. They mix a fine margarita and if you get there before 7:30 you get two for the price of one. Add to this atmosphere a rousing salsa soundtrack and charmingly friendly bar staff (a bit of a rarity in Bristol) and you have the perfect place to forget that you won't be on holiday for a long time yet.
Sheffield Telegraph – Reviewed in August 2003
Sleek, modern and vibrant. The atmosphere is electrifying. The sultry salsa beat sets the pace from the moment of entry and the first impression is just how different this restaurant is from anywhere else around.
Venue – Reviewed in March 2003
Welcome to modern-day Latin America. The flavours are as loud and proud as Joaquin Cortez's Cuban heels, as intense as Antonio Banderas's gaze, as brazenly sumptuous as J-Lo's curves.
