Pipa & Co

From the outside, Pipa & Co looks like quite the place to go for brunch. With its Parisian-esque exterior and desirable location on Paseo de la Habana, I was expecting great things.

The restaurant has no website but I gave them a call to reserve for an 11am brunch on a Saturday.  I needn't have bothered.  The place was empty and the restaurant was nowhere near ready for service.  The staff had arrived late so we were sat waiting to be offered a drink for about 15 minutes (yes, in an empty restaurant).  A real shame given the wonderful decor inside and the promising menu.

In spite of my growing impatience we all chose to start off with smoothies.  My "Pineapple, Banana and Coconut Vitaliser" (4,95€) didn't disappoint but unfortunately the food that followed was similar to the atmosphere - bland and unexciting.  I went for the "Pipa Beef Burger" which was topped with piquillo peppers and pickles accompanied by some limp rocket and a boletus sauce.  My guests opted for the "Ham, Cheese and Guacamole Quesadilla" and "Eggs Benedict" (a classic which any brunch establishment should be able to nail). Everything was severely average and given the prices we paid per dish (12 - 15€) I was bitterly disappointed.

The Pipa & Co owner (who is apparently the son of Ana Botella (the Madrid mayor)) has obviously invested a lot in the "look and feel" but has completely neglected the most important parts of running a restaurant: the food and the staff.  It's very obvious when someone who doesn't have a passion for food opens a place and thinks that some cool interior design is enough to please foodies around the city.

Pipa & Co has so much potential and although it's known more as a dinner place, it won't be getting my business again anytime soon.

Price: 15 - 20€ per person.

Service: ☆
Food: ☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆☆

Paseo de la Habana, 105.