The Best of Salsa Classes, Salsa Clubs, Salsa Events
 Co-Author "Find the Rhythm" and Founder of London's Carnival de Cuba

We Review and Recommend ONLY the Best of the capital's Latin & World Cuisine eateries. To have your restaurant reviewed here, call us on: 07979 280283.

LONDON SALSA SCENE Competition - Dateline: 2nd June 2010

Party on at Las Iguanas -
Across the UK!

Restaurant Review: Las Iguanas
Address: Unit 14, Festival Walk, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Tel: 0207 620 1328

At Las Iguanas on London's South Bank, there was a huge buzz the night we were there - the place was full to bursting, with a knock-out party vibe. This is the spot for a night out with friends, work-mates or your partner, simply to enjoy the buzz.

Choose from a mega Latin inspired menu - a selection of char-grills, new plate sea bass with coocnut to signature dish Ximxim (Brasilian lime chicken) plus plenty of chop watering stuff for vegetarians. My mate chose the veggie version of Puerto Rican paella with butternut squash, asparagus, mushroom and more. 
Las Iguanas has created a slice of real Latin life at its bubbly restaurants – food is tasty, portions generous, waiting staff sassy but not intrusive, great music. Pure enjoyment.

Latin grooves meet Latin grub at Las Iguanas. Photograph by: Miguel de las Fotos, copyright www.londonsalsascene.co.uk 

July Competition

WIN Dinner for 4 at any branch of Las Iguanas anywhere in the UK! 
London Salsa Scene and Las Iguanas will arrange dinner at the nearest local restaurant to the winners! Congratulations Jan H, Waterloo!
To enter, email: lee@londonsalsascene.co.uk with the words "London Salsa Scene Las Iguanas Competition" as the heading, including your name, address, and a telephone number (preferably a landline). Closing date: midday 15th July. Full terms and conditions, see below!

Terms & Conditions: 1 entry per person, no persons employed by London Salsa Scene or their partners may enter, no cash alternative, not transferable, cannot be substituted for other prizes. Please ensure you enter all details or your entry will be disqualified. Winner selected at random on closing date and contacted by the editor after this date.

LONDON SALSA SCENE Competition - Dateline: 2nd June 2010

Where Can I Dine and Dance Salsa?

Dear Sirs
 I am looking for a venue in London that offers genuine, good salsa music with good dining and salsa class. Can you recommend somewhere? (have heard about Bar Salsa and no thank you!)
Yours faithfully, Patricia R.
Ahh Patricia - sounds like a simplt question, there isn't an easy answer. We like Soho's Floridita, there's a great vibe and dancing but no dance classes CLICK HERE - best if the boss is paying - or a special night out - the cocktails/food ain't for the brassic.
     Some places offer dining and salsa classes. Arch Angel - formerly Bar Cuba - on Kensington High Street used to be reliable but we haven't been since it re-opened, similarly Sway on Great Queen Street WC2. Titos in London Bridge is a sweetly shabby Peruvian place with salsa classes (check when salsa classes are on). The Cuban in Camden offers salsa classes on Thursdays, pub nosh available - cocktails are a knockout. The Tree House in Croydon offers good food downstairs (a friend's recommendation) and classes and club have flava too!
     There are authentic Latin restaurants where you can dance but no classes - La Bodeguita in Elephant and Castle, La Mazorca in Brixton (see reviews).
     On the other hand, you can get the best of both worlds by choosing a great Latin restaurant - with no classes or dancing and catch an early salsa dance class nearby. Sabor on the Essex Road (classes Clockwork); La Bodeguita del Medio in Kensington (classes Arch Angel); Gilgamesh in Camden are highly recommended (classes Cuban - CLICK HERE for reviews).
     To start the evening off, try salsa classes at Cuban Connection's club on Wednesdays at 4 Wilde Court, Holborn with SALSA CHAMPIONS Rafael del Busto and Janet Fuentes Torres.
     For live music and dining, try Ronnie Scotts in Soho (above by Miguel de las Fotos). With live jazz every night, swish dining and cocktails, Ronnie Scotts is the epitome of class and cool. We saw Snowboy with Alex Wilson and Grupo-X's Jonny Enright there recently.
Visit: www.ronniescotts.co.uk Ronnie's is at 47 Frith Street W1, tel: 020 7439 0747.