We were celebrating an opening day win for Arsenal (well, two of us were, my mind was occupied with the Tractor Boys scoring THREE straight victories!) and we were hungry. Oh, we were also celebrating Mike’s 60th. El Rincón tempted us with the lure of an al fresco table and the prospect of much meat.

Let’s be honest, Holloway Road isn’t a conventional choice for outdoor dining. Even in these ULEZ days I should think the atmosphere is only marginally healthier than a Saturday night in Thundersley Snooker Club in 1985. But it does offer a generous parade of north London life and you certainly didn’t get that level of variety back in Thatcherite Essex.

Of which the restaurant itself is a magnificent example. Ecuadorian/Latin American customers and staff were supplemented by a heterogeneity of hungry football fans. First off, wine. Did we want it? Yes. Tariq ordered and boldly went against all logic to select a Sancerre at £62. An expensive mild white when you’ve already supped an ample amount of lager and are on the verge of ordering a lot of red meat seemed eccentric. But who were we to go against the judgement of a mate. And the expense did ensure that we were the cynosure of all the waiters for the rest of the meal.

Which consisted of an excellent mixed grill with a generous salad and plenty of rice. I wolfed it, sharp. And went back for more. Plenty of plantain in there and a wa-ow chilli sauce topped that off and soon I was the willing victim of my dining companions’ nostalgic Latin American tales, which continued through a complimentary mystery drink.

The genial owner came out for a chat (and to give us his card) and we assured him we’d be back. Then we paid up and rolled on to pastures new and not new on our climb up the HR towards boozy birthday bonhomie.

8/10

To see where else I’ve been click on the google map below.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=18qCyiPZih_gzhGG8mwfacnNRWD3b0bo&ehbc=2E312F

Food London Ecuadorian Food Highbury Holloway Road London