Wright Brothers Soho

I was very excited about a new seafood/oyster restaurant opening in Soho, but had a hugely disappointing meal here last night.

We were sat at the bar area in the basement in front of the open kitchen. The kitchen staff on show looked they'd rather be anywhere in the world other than cooking there - and it showed in the food. The waiting staff though were really pleasant.

The duchy starters were ok and the crab pate the same. The ox cheek, ale and oyster pie was extremely bland and that's £16.50 bland - not including potato/mash or greens (add another 6 quid) lacking in depth, flavour and ox cheek.

The greens of broccoli had to be sent back as they were severely overcooked. They took them off the bill (which was cool) and replaced the dish, only for them to come back overcooked again - nobody came to enquire the second time so we just left them. Nice bottle of Muscadet.

Just very underwhelmed is the best I can write about this place. Won't be returning.
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Hopey
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Sunday, April 10, 2011

We went here on Sunday afternoon, the place was almost deserted which seemed a pity as it is well layed out.

Service was very friendly, there was nobody else about to divert attention. Drinks are pricey but they have some good local brews.

The food is usually good to very good but the portions can be very mean. I agree with one of the reviews, the squid was delicious but 6 pieces at £10.00 is a rip off. The fish stew at £12.50 was great although again the portion could have been bigger.

All in all I would recommend this place more if the portions were a bit more generous.
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Dutch_Food
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 25, 2011

Waiting for a film to start...a few hours to go...we decided to try somewhere new. The place is situated just behind Liberty...so well placed. It was dead quiet (it was a Sunday afternoon)and we were limited to selecting from the cold menu only.

We started with a lovely bottle of Berry Bros Cremant...and at 30.00 pounds per bottle we thought...we'll take two...no...just the one...they also do Billecart Salmon Rose at 78.00 pounds...and for Central London that's a good deal.

We enjoyed 3 of each oyster...and they have five to choose from....Duchy Native ,Colchester,Maldon,Carlingford and the Claire ones from France....excellent all round and I loved the little shells with the name of the oysters on them...great idea.

The razor clams were a miss...far too grainy...and just didn't taste that good...very small as well...I doubt they were native to this country....shame...

The whelks, winkles,mussles and atlantic prawns were all good. The smoked mackeral pate was divine...I was alway disappointed when JS took it off their menu....

The service from the waitress was excellent.

The room itself was lovely...I can imagine in the evenings...this place is totallly packed.

We'll return...

It almost gives my favourite haunt of JS some competition in the West End.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Another day another lunchtime trip to Kingly St. This time I decided to give the new Wright Brothers place a go. I had passed it a few times and was pleased to see they had taken one of the older buildings in Kingly St and with a very sensitive makeover given it a stylish but authentic feel. You walk in on the ground floor but all the proper action takes place downstairs in the basement. Here they have an open kitchen with rows of comunal tables with bar stools. It all done very well so you don't feel too packed in. We were intrigued by the lunch deal of main and glass of wine for £10 but when the waitress went through the options neither of us fancied them so instead we both went for Moules. She did explain that the specials change daily and that often the mussels were on the deal. The menu itself isn't massive and obviously mostly fish and a lot of it raw, it did look very good not quite what you get in Paris but getting there.

We both had a glass of the house white which turned out to be a very good fruity chardonnay. The young guy who brought us it described really well and obviously knew his way round the wine menu. The mussels arrived and though I had ordered a large portion I did feel it was a few shellfish light. My colleague had a small portion which seemed about right. The mussels themselves were good but not amazing, however the broth was very good. We were given plenty of bread to help us enjoy it. As we ate the basement filled up with a mix of ladies what shop and business people, upstairs seemed to be more for courting couples.

Mussels finished, we had a couple of nice filter coffees before heading back to the office. The meal came to a very reasonable £35 and I added a few quid on as a tip. The service was good and friendly, obviously a new team but happy to help. It is quite a large place so they will need to watch that everywhere is being looked after when busy. all in all I was very satisfied with my first visit and I look forward to taking my lovely wife here. Obviously I hope to try something more adventurous off the menu next time but this nice looking restaurant is a definite asset to Kingly st.
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 31, 2011

Been there twice now, both times on a Saturday evening, and thoroughly enjoyed. The oysters are great - particularly the kumamoto on our first visit - as has been practically everything else we've tried. Fish stew, deep fried squid, Dorset crab all very good, and a decent fish pie, though possible a little dry and too 'uniform' in taste - might have benefitted from a few shrimp or some spinach leaves. Overall, though, would recommend.
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Michael
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, January 24, 2011

Three superb eating areas to this wonderful sister restaurant of the Wright Bros Borough Market, the menu is as colourful and stylish as the decor, from the buzz of the kitchens downstairs to the warmth of the staff from the very second you walk in is truly fantastic....the courtyard setting is a wonderful plus for those who just fancy a few social beers or the odd glass of champagne!!
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Gary.
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 16, 2010