Quo Vadis, Soho, London

Quo Vadis, another project from the same owners of Fino and Barrafina. Based on the popularity of the other two, I was expecting good things from QV.

Having a show to watch at the West End, Quo Vadis was a perfect spot to have an early dinner.

We were the early birds and the place was still largely empty. It gave me time to take in the decor which oozes a rich elegance.

We opted to go for the pre-theatre menu which was priced at £17.50 for a two course and £19.50 for 3 courses. As I wasn't too interested in the desserts available in the pre-theatre menu, I decided to go for the 2 course while my dining partner went for the 3 courses.

Split pea and bacon soup

Refined and smooth, this went down well.

Middle White brawn with piccalilli

This was good as well with the pickled vegetables on the side adding tartness.

Pork belly, Jerusalem artichoke & apple sauce

I only had a bite of this and it was tasty with a slight melt in your mouth texture without being overly rich.

Skate with leeks, capers & parsley

The skate was a tad fishy for those who are sensitive to it otherwise it was cooked just right with the onions adding a touch of sweetness.

Bitter chocolate ice cream

Did not expect to see the spun sugar deco at the top but it was a nice touch. You can never go wrong when there are dark chocolate fans on the table and this was the perfect choice.

Chocolate Louis XV £9.20

I always get intrigued whenever I see this on the menu, especially after a most amusing read from a certain chef.

Created originally by Alan Ducaisse I believe, I now seek to try it where I can. Although less so compared to my obsession with tiramisu.

The Dessert Louis XV comprises of praline which gives it its crunchiness, topped with dreamy chocolate mousse, and shrouded in a thin layer of melted plain chocolate. A final flourish of edible gold leaf is what gives its distinctive regal flair. The composition is supposed to exude a rich and sensual sensation when eaten.

How was QV's version? Good but it just seems to lack that Je Ne Sais Qua
I really enjoyed my dinner here and I think is a fantastic option for pre or post theatre dinner. Ambience was comfortably relaxing, service was attentive and quality was good with very reasonable prices.

For photos, please go to
http://chopstix2steaknives.blogspot.com/2011/04/quo-vadis...

Quo Vadis is a Soho institution which has sadly seen better days. Admittedly, the food remains decent and is served in a pleasent dining room with a few interesting visual touches.

However, all that is undermined by poor service. Last night was an example of Quo Vadis at its worst.

Despite multiple calls from the reservation team to confirm the booking our party of four waited over an hour to be seated at a table for three.

At which point the staff disappeared. We eventually had to track down a waiter to take to take an order from what was left on the menu. The first course eventually arrived after 11.30pm, which is unacceptable for a 9.30pm reservation.

This was an extra special treat for my 21st birthday. The menu offered an extensive choice of a variety of foods. My boyfriend immensely enjoyed the shrimp starter, I thought my steak was probably the best I'd ever had and my pudding came with a personalised Happy Birthday message despite it only having been mentioned in passing to the sommelier. The menu does change regularly and in general the price would be described as 'high end'. However, the staff are attentive without being over-bearing and the food is fantastic so it's perfect for that special occasion.

Casting around for somewhere to have dinner with an old Latin scholar friend, we couldn't go past this based on the name alone. I was hoping we would dine on stuffed peacock while wiping our greasy fingers in the hair of nubile slaves in the flickering light of pyres of burning Christians (study some Latin, it's all there!)... but unfortunately this just turned out to be one damn fine restaurant. Classic cuisine, rather than classical. At least there was a floor mosaic at the entrance.

Dining on the fixed pre-theatre menu is an affordable way to enjoy the venue and service, but adding sides and drinks will easily double the bill. The menu seems to change regularly, so I'll only mention the bitter chocolate mousse that I tried for dessert - outstanding!

I cant believe that I hadn’t been here before - either in its old or new incarnations. I must have walked past the distinctive facade hundreds of times without being tempted in.

Inside it feels a little more engaging and warm than the formal frontage suggests, though it is still clearly a place hoping to impress.

The menu is pretty traditional - upmarket brasserie style, tradtional starters, a good range of fish and steaks however you want them.

I settled for asparagus in hollandaise and a rump steak (+ mash and spinach of course). All washed down with bottle of Morgon that reminded one of what beaujolais really should be about but often isn’t.

Will definitely return - better for business / friends dinner than romantic.

Quo Vadis has been an upmarket Soho institution for many years for the creative and business crew in London. The Spanish brothers behind Fino and Barrafina now own it and have relaunched keeping it in the same tradition very succesfully. The menu was very enticing and we settled on teh endives with blue cheese followed by the sole, both courses excellent. The atmosphere feels a bit like an upmarket brasserie, quiet and formal but warm with the lights slightly deemed and carefully hung works of art around the room. Tables mix business creatives, posh families and couples in a quiet tete-a-tete in the busy part of town. The service was a bit pushy but that was more the personality of our young energetic waitress than the style of the house it seemed. Apparently they have opened a good members club above it but I have not tried it yet. Not ethat they have a pre-theatre dinner for £17. I will go back, probably for a business dinner in a pleasant atmosphere.