Vanilla Black

I'm not a vegetarion but took a colleague of mine who's a confirmed carnivore and one of my customers there - he's a life-long veggy. We had the fixed price three course lunch and it was worth every penny. We all anjoyed the inventive and beautifully presented dishes. Friendly and professional service. The veggy was very complimentary so based on our experience I would recommend this restaurant and will certainly go again.
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Tony
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I'm vegetarian so expected to like Vanilla Black but found it truly horrible. The food was bland and tasteless in tiny portions with very little flavour. The staff were cold and unfriendly and knew knothing about the food. Avoid like the plague.
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Tim
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Sunday, January 17, 2010

The beauty of Vanilla Black is that it makes the lack of non-vegetarian options irrelevant. The food is so good, and the dishes so well constructed, that you just don't bother to think about the absence of meat.

Every dish was a winner, from the outstanding cep brulee, which somehow got away with combining caramel, cream and truffles in a starter, to the warming and hearty mushroom duxelle so filling it was barely finished, to the inspired bay leaf custard accompanying the apple and toffee dessert. We are not vegetarians, but really appreciate well thought through and prepared food, and Vanilla Black is almost up there with the Michelin starred best. A little below the level of, say, Sketch's vegetarian menu, but on the other hand at less than half the price.

We went on a Saturday night in the snow, and though it was far from full the atmosphere was warm, if not exactly buzzing. The serving staff were friendly and efficient, though perhaps could have been a little more chatty. The menu doesn't have an enormous selection of wines by the glass. The bathrooms were unaccountably cold (I actually shivered!). However, ultimately you're going for the cooking, which is innovative, interesting and superbly executed. If the niggles were sorted out, you could see it getting a Michelin star of its own - the food certainly deserves it.
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Jon
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 09, 2010

Its not going to convert anyone but its an interesting change, especially I'd imagine for a vegetarian. There is some good cooking here, but spoiled by a tendency to over sweetness and to add one element too many so I can't say I'd return, that said I'm suprised my vegetarian friends also said they were unlikely to return. Atmosphere and service quite formal, wine list is good value but the overall bill is a bit high when you think what their ingredient costs must be.
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6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Friday, August 14, 2009