Vanilla Black

I'm vegetarian and visited Vanilla Black with a non-vegetarian friend a couple of weeks ago. I don't usually bother writing reviews but as it's relatively new I'd like more people to give this place a try and make sure it's a success.

I can see what other reviewers mean about the atmosphere - probably my only criticism would be that they need to turn down the lights a little. It probably also needs to 'wear in' a bit (it still smelled like new carpets, I wanted to roll around on the floor). But it's beautifully decorated and very smart.

To start off with we were brought the cutest savoury eclairs as a taster, and some gorgerous bread. I can't remember exactly what my starter was (think it was the goat's cheese) but it was lovely. The duck egg and caerphilly for main course was delicious and imaginative. There was a lot of cheese on the menu which was great for me - and I assume a decent number of vegetarians. Impressively my male non-veggie friend loved it and was full up at the end.

The best thing though was the service - you got the impression that they really cared about your custom and they wanted the restaurant to succeed, which you don't usually get even in the nicest restaurants. I'll definitely be back here.
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Laura
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 03, 2008

We tried this restaurant after reading good reviews about the original York establishment and we were certainly not dissapointed.

I went with my wife on a Friday lunchtime and it was quite quiet, which I hope is simply while word-of-mouth waits to spread.

However, the atmosphere was still very pleasant, the staff friendly and helpful and the food excellent. We have tried all of the top-rated vegetarian restaurants in London and Vanilla Black is a very welcome addition - a grown up place to dine for those of us who are vegetarian but want somewhere we are comfortable taking our non-vegetarian friends and partners for a special occasion.

It's definitely worth a visit and for those other reviewers who have said that some of the offerings are a bit pretentious - while I can see your point we are certainly not at the luxurious point where we can afford to be nit picking about our vegetarian options in the city.

Instead, let's applaud Vanilla Black for trying to be different. I have no hesitation in recommending it.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 23, 2008

The restaurant was empty when we visited on a Thursday night. On reflection that makes perfect sense but when we just arrived I was surprised by that.

After a minute of looking at the menu I found myself struggling to make a choice - there was nothing really appealing. Everything was on the slightly pretentious side of things. In the end I settled for goat's cheese and orange tartine as a starter and some main the name of which now eludes me as it had very little to do with what I eventually got.

The starter was nice enough, I like goat's cheese and there really wasn't much more to it, so I quite enjoyed it. On the other hand had I bought goats cheese myself and ate it at home I would have been just as happy. The main course was a bland chunk of overcooked vegetables with a little bit of cheese in a damp pizza like pastry. I have been lucky though. Others have wound up with for example some overcooked eggs and a dry chunk of pancake like pastry. The chef should spend more effort on cooking and less on presentation.

The service was efficient and polite but then you can mostly say that about the average curry house. The ambience of the place was that of a clean and efficient hospital, white and brightly lit with white tiles on some wall.

The final verdict: pretentious overpriced restaurant serving bland unimaginative food that feels like a clean hospital.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Friday, June 13, 2008

I went to Vanilla Black specifically because I was with a vegetarian friend and after eating there she was so happy, because in her words "I can now understand when other people say the food is so good, whilst I'm eating my vegetables". As a meat eater myself, I was rather surprised that by the end of the meal I was both full and satisfied. The food was tremendous (I had the Dahl for starter and duck egg for main, both of which were packed with flavour) and the staff we very happy to explain what various items on the menu were. This place has just opened, so the ambiance was a little flat, but it was a week night and I don't know what its like on weekends. All in all, Vanilla Black is a great place to enjoy vegetarian food for what I consider a reasonable price in London and I hope that more people take advantage of this little gem.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 30, 2008

Vanilla Black is the best restaurant I've ever had the pleasure to visit. The atmosphere is relaxed and lovely. The food is outstanding, inventive and always delicious.

I prefer to make eating out an 'event' and Vanilla Black has never let me and my partner down. From their beautifully creative presentation to their exceptional vegetarian wine list to their care when sourcing local suppliers, they literally leave every other restaurant in the dust.

My partner and I always feel welcomed like we're old friends and are allowed to linger over our starters, mains, and home-made puddings for as long as we like. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Emi Jarvi
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 12, 2008