Otarian (Soho)

Only went there once, found it very disappointing:

- The food is expensive for what it is (bland and uninspired)

- They use tons of non-recyclable plastic to serve it (all 5+, pp etc)

- The staff was very pushy (why don't you change it into a meal, add afters etc)

- The menu was inflexible (I wanted to exchange a drink I believe, not possible)

By and large I felt this pays only lip service to the alternative / slow / healthy fast food service area.
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Bee Kay - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Thursday, July 07, 2011

Two visits to Otarian. I eat Gluten Free so loved the symbols on the menu. Ordered Biryani which was billed as hot and spicy and it was a bit too hot for me but tasty, though not as nice looking in its container as the picture on the menu. It looked all mixed or stirred up. Next visit tried the Spiced Coconut Curry which the server assured me was milder, it has no hot warning symbol, but no it was extremely hot and tongue searing and 5hrs later is still hot! It also looked nothing like the menu picture and again was all mixed up and I was only offered a spoon to eat it with!

Also tried an avocado and tomato salad. Again it looked nothing like the menu picture being all messed up in a box, it tasted of nothing and the salad leaves were almost stuck to the container and had to be prised out with the spoon I was given.

Partner ate Lasagne which he described as tasty though too many courgettes and again not as good looking as the menu pictures. Then a Tex Mex Burger and Fries. He found the burger fine, large and filling and the Fries were good. That at least looked like the menu pictures.

Obsessions or Puddings. I tried the pannacotta with berries twice as it was so lovely the first time and yes that is great. Partner tried Apple Crumble which he described as very pleasant with cinnamon then the Pannacotta which he also loved.

Service was good, we ordered, paid and food was brought to our table, but we were overcharged on the second visit, for 3 desserts when we only ordered 2!

Lovely smart and clean premises,except for the disabled toilet which had obviously had a flood down the wall from upstairs and it stank of mould! Staff very polite. Easy to get to. The place was also very empty both times when we visited late afternoon.

Would I go again? Not sure.
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Clara
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Saturday, September 25, 2010

It’s a bit like Wimpy for vegetarians. But with a smaller carbon footprint. I think the ethics are all very admirable, but I wonder whether vegetarians (who care about their carbon footprints) are the sort of people who are likely to want to eat in a restaurant that looks a bit like McDonalds. Maybe I’m wrong. The food was OK. It was quick but wasn’t very warm when it appeared at our table 2 minutes after we’d ordered it. So back it went to the kitchen. We had mexican burgers, chips and sweet potato chips. The food was much better when hot. I’d say it was fairly standard, but good I guess if you just want a quick and relatively cheap bite to eat. I think I will try it once more to make my mind up - so for the time being will remain on the fence with Otarian.
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Emma
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, September 23, 2010

Pros: Good quality veggie food. Friendly staff. I like the 'low carbon aspirations.

Cons: Ordering System. After ordering you have to hang around the counter to wait for your food. My server then started serving the people behind, which ended up confusing other people who thought I was queuing, and other staff who thought I hadn't ordered yet.

Too expensive. For the price of a lot of the dishes (once you have added in drinks) I ended up wondering why I was eating in something that looked like a Posh McDonalds (wipe clean seats / self service drinks / clear your own table) For the same price you can get table service, equivalent quality veggie food and a more intimate atmosphere elsewhere.
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Nick
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tasty vegetarian food in a restaurant with a modern/eco-friendly ambience with a good location.

What else can you need!!
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John Cartwright
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, August 24, 2010