Visit & Vibes

I was recently invited back to El Santo in Glasgow. I had visited a couple of times shortly after they first opened, so I was really looking forward to checking them out again since it had been far too long.

Just like my previous visits, the design was impressive. The atmosphere was great, and the lighting and colour scheme made it feel extremely cozy. I knew instantly it was going to be a good night; I felt relaxed the moment I walked in. It truly is a stunning restaurant.

Décor	★★★★★
Noise Level	★★★★★
Restaurant Temperature	★★★★★
Table Dressing	★★★★
Restaurant Cleanliness	★★★★★
Background Music Level	★★★★★

The Food

Menu Choice

★★★★★

YELLOWFIN TUNA TOSTADA
Sashimi-grade tuna, “Salsa Negra,” fermented kimchi emulsion, and whipped avocado

Looking over the menu, several items caught my eye, but the tuna dish stood out immediately. Being a huge fan of tuna, I knew I had to try it.

When it arrived, the presentation was beautiful; the attention to detail was impressive, and I couldn’t wait to dive in.

From the first bite, the combination of textures and flavours was spot on. Even as a cold dish, it was incredibly vibrant and flavourful, I honestly could have eaten two or three more! The way the different components paired with the sauce was perfect. Every ingredient complemented the others without losing its individual character. It was delicious, and I’d highly recommend it.

Dish Flavour	★★★★★
Appearance	★★★★★
Serving Size	★★★★★
Aroma	★★★★★
Value for Money	★★★★★
MY RATING:	★★★★★

PASTEL DE CAMARÃO
Delicate, golden Brazilian pastry filled with Atlantic shrimp, citric aioli

Continuing with the seafood theme, I chose this dish because I can never resist a good pastry, especially when paired with shrimp.

When it arrived, it looked fantastic, and I couldn’t wait to try it. Taking that first bite… wow! The flavours were incredible.

I’m not sure what they seasoned the shrimp with, but it was an extremely tasty experience. The golden Brazilian pastry was cooked to perfection, offering a satisfying crispiness that complemented the tender filling.

I cant wait to have this again at my next visit.

Dish Flavour	★★★★★
Appearance	★★★★★
Serving Size	★★★★★
Aroma	★★★★★
Value for Money	★★★★★
MY RATING:	★★★★★

ROAST CHICKEN TACOS
with lettuce, chipotle mayo & pickled onion

Switching things up after two seafood dishes, I decided to try the chicken tacos.

When they arrived, they looked great, once again, the presentation was excellent. I couldn’t wait to dig in!

From the first bite, I was hooked; the roast chicken was lovely, tender, and juicy, pairing perfectly with the chipotle mayo. I really appreciated the soft taco shells, as they complemented the filling perfectly.

I was so glad the order came with two, because the flavours were amazing. The second taco was just as good as the first; it definitely didn’t disappoint, and I would easily order this again.

Dish Flavour	★★★★★
Appearance	★★★★★
Serving Size	★★★★★
Aroma	★★★★★
Value for Money	★★★★★
MY RATING:	★★★★★

EL SANTO CHOCOLATE CIGAR
Chocolate cigar, passion fruit mousse

There is always room for dessert! The last time I was here, I tried this particular dish, and I knew that no matter how good the other options looked, I had to have it again.

The presentation is fantastic. They bring a box to the table and slowly open the lid, allowing the dry ice smoke to billow out, giving the illusion of a lit cigar. It is very well thought out; I love this type of presentation because it’s impressive without being too cheesy.

The dessert itself is incredible. Biting into the ‘cigar’ shell, you get to that lovely soft center, a perfect balance of chocolate and passionfruit mousse. The two textures work so well together. I have a major sweet tooth, so I honestly could have ordered another one. 

If you love dessert and appreciate great presentation, you have to try this. You will love it!

Dish Flavour	★★★★★
Appearance	★★★★★
Serving Size	★★★★★
Aroma	★★★★★
Value for Money	★★★★★
MY RATING:	★★★★★

Final Thoughts…

Firstly, a big thanks to the team for tonight’s invite; I had an amazing night filled with incredible food!

From start to finish, every dish was so tasty and packed with flavour. They were all very moreish, and I can’t wait to visit again!

If you’ve never been, it’s a place you really need to check out. I’m definitely keeping this one on my ‘top restaurants‘ list.

Service / Staff	★★★★★
Ambience	★★★★★
Time between Courses	★★★★★
Overall Value for Money	★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING	★★★★★

It’s important to note that all the views and opinions expressed in my blog posts and vlogs are entirely personal, have not been influenced in any way and reflect my individual perspective. I value authenticity and honesty above all, and my content is a genuine reflection of my thoughts and experiences.