Volupte

Im confused, i dont know what to think...is this a restaurant, or a cabaret or a novelty? The place was more than half empty on a tuesday night show, and there was simply no athmosphere at all. Burlesque? not really. It's just a basement restaurant with dodgy 'decor' and wrong lighting.

The food was indeed very good, but even if when we booked the guy on the phone stressed that 'the restaurant is our main business, so you have to eat at least two courses', still the menu lacked variety, especially the starters. I had goat's cheese crostini, which was quite tasty, but at over £7 definitely overpriced. as main I chose grilled sword fish with orange and fennel: cooked to perfection, rich flavour and very light dish, priced at around £15. The problem is that we ended up spending £50 each with wine and a cocktail each, plus the £12 for the show....and i cant help feeling we wasted our money!
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Fried Egg Fred
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

I went to Volupte a few times last year, mainly with friends, and I must admit the service was very slow, though the staff were always friendly. I had one meal with friends that was pure comedy - so many things went wrong! It was like Manuel from Fawlty Towers. But the food was good and I went back a few times because I enjoyed the atmosphere and the (sometimes crazy) entertainment. I hadn't been for a long time, and the last time I went, my partner took me, and I was very surprised - the service was so much faster and I felt the food had improved too. I can understand some people who have reviewed this restaurant having bad experiences and I don't think they're just being snobs - but my last visit was fantastic and I really think the place has improved hugely. Plus it's the only place I know where I can have a proper restaurant meal AND watch poetry.
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F Worthing
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Friday, May 11, 2007

I really don't understand ANY bad reviews for this restaurant. I have been to Volupte many, many times with friends and family and they have all loved it. The waiting staff were warm and friendly and the food was AMAZING. The burlesque performances are of the highest quality too. I go there for the good-value power lunches which are really good too. Any one who doesn't like this place simply has bad taste!
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Anna Boots
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I love Volupte - it's excellent dining and drinking without the stuck up attitude. People who have reviewed here citing the fact that they eat out 4-5 times a week will not necessarily appreciate what this venue has to offer.....it is kitsch, fun and laidback. The focus is on entertainment - obviously food and drink falls under that umbrella and having visited 10-15 times I have yet to be disappointed. Sometimes the service leaves a little to be desired, but that's part of Volupte's charm. Go here if you want to have a great time and you are an easy going type of person, but if you are pompous and have a blinkered view on life generally then steer clear (I personally wouldn't want to see you there anyway!).
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Nick Clark
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

I've been with friends to four nights here, and admit to being charmed by the concept and it's realisation. I love the quirkyness - it's rather unique in London. The themes are beautifully carried through many aspects of the club - full marks for atmosphere.

My gut feel is that Volupte would better focus a bit more on it's distinctive strength - being a atmospheric cabaret and party place.
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Alex
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, March 06, 2007

I had an awful night here. When we arrived we were the only ones in the bar. The barman clearly had a problem. I had to ask him 4 times for a gin & tonic before he acknowledged me, and he spent most of the time glowering at me from behind the bar. I asked if there was an issue with serving me and he just grunted but wouldn't respond. This eventually became so bad with subsequent ordering that my companion and I started to feel incredibly uncomfortable. I went to find the owner who I had spoken to earlier on our arrival and told her that since this was a new operation I felt she should know how rude her staff were and how we were going to have to get the friends that were joining us to meet us elsewhere, due to the fact that our evening was pretty much ruined. She was apologetic, said normally people raved about her barman (I find this hard to believe) took my card and promised to send free show tickets so I could return one evening and try the place again, but she never followed through on this. Now I just get emails from the place telling me all about their cheap Power Lunches, so I guess they are struggling for business now and on the basis of this and other experiences I have read about I'm not surprised.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 29, 2007

i go to volupte regularly, for great cocktails and great entertainment. the last time i was there, my evening was nearly ruined by a big table of diners who were the rudest people i have ever seen in a restaurant, talking through the acts, drinking and shouting and then picking a fight with the manager. maybe they are the type who write the bad reviews below. who knows. all i know is that i would have thrown them out and banned them from ever returning.
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da
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Friday, November 17, 2006

I don't understand all the bad reviews on here! The place is gorgeous and great fun. I went back in April for the first time and have been several times since. The cabaret is always really good and the food is delicious. The bartenders are almost a cabaret unto themselves upstairs, too!
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J Grundy
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 27, 2006

Simply the most appalling dining experience and night out of my life. Had I been held at knife point and forcibly separated from my wallet, I would still feel less ripped off than by having to give £30 to this truly awful establishment.
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Alex Eeles
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 23, 2006

I went to Volupte with a party of 12 for my sisters birthday. She must think I hate her after suggesting this sub standard hole of a venue.

The service was appalling, we waited 2 1/2 hours for simple meze platters, and when they eventually came there was only enough for 6 people, not 12!

In fairness the manageress was reasonable and understanding, and came over with some complimentary champagne, but all we wanted was some food......

We then started to try and enjoy the evening, as we had all made an effort to dress up and we didn't want the cock up with the food to ruin the evening. It was at this point the door man asked us to leave........

Don't ever suggest this place as a night out, its overpriced, the people you go with with not have a good evening, the atmosphere wasn't that great, the menu is limited, the door men and bar staff are rude - I felt sorry for the manageress because at least I could leave and not go back there.
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Gianna
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 23, 2006