Volupte

Generally optimistic about pros and cons of first nights out, I hope to offer a balanced review of Volupte, as it has a few minor niggles but certainly enough upsides to make it worthwhile. I read in advance the reviews on here and other sites and I agree that service errs on the slightly tardy side, as we entered the restaurant at 7pm and didn't get to order starters until 7.45pm, which still hadn't arrived at 8.05pm. However, the wait was filled with a nice round of cocktail jugs and wine to keep us busy, along with some crazy, humorous accordion playing and the mesmerising Kitty Bang Bang performing her 'Geisha Kitty' routine, and a quiet enquiry to the waitress brought us our starters, main and dessert in good time afterwards. The food is lovely, though not exceptional, as it's mainly the experience and atmosphere in conjunction with tasty grub you're going for, which overall was worthwhile - 3 courses & 2 bottles came to approx 50 pounds/psn including (optional) service, neither exactly a bargain perhaps nor a bank breaker every so often. My only real gripe is that I was terribly excited about the acts, this being my first burlesque night out (of many, I hope), of which there were only four rather than the six billed, resulting as somewhat sparse over two hours. Kitty Bang Bang was charming enough to leave a lasting impression (we, two hetero couples, all went home in love ...) but the time stretch of one act every half hour was a tad overlong for us. Overall, I would say that Volupte is great for colourful cocktails, a vibrant atmosphere and, when they're on, spellbinding and/or cheeky cabaret, but is advisably treated by the burlesque newcomer as a taster rather than the definitive experience.
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ES
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, April 10, 2008

I went to Volupte to celebrate a friend's birthday. We paid for the 3-course meal and caberet then entrance to the club. I was somewhat disappointed with the caberet. The band played well but none of the pretty, burlesque girls pictured on the website appeared, just a small dancer dressed as a granny who provided an bizarre (if entertaining) striptease and a female singer who did about 3 songs - nothing to write home about!

My main gripe was the service provided by one waitress who got agitated when she came to take our order and we asked if we could wait until our whole party arrived. We were told to hurry up and order as the kitchen had 75 meals to prepare and she couldn't wait. Not great customer service! The other waiters and waitresses were lovely though.
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Clarissa
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Went to Volupte with a bunch of girls and really enjoyed ourselves. The show was very entertaining (in aid of breast cancer awareness). The food and service were both good although I did think that the food was slightly overpriced. Good cocktails. A good place for something slightly different.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Monday, December 17, 2007

My partner and I recently chose Volupte for a night out because we fancied doing something a bit decadent and different, and Volupte was fantastic.

Our pre-dinner cocktails were perfect, although the bar got very crowded just before the show began and there was some quesionable music being played on the CD player.

We had a delicious dinner (I had the beef fillet, my partner had the lamb) and some very drinkable, very reasonably priced wine. The service was just right, attentive but not pushy.

The show was fabulous, beautiful girls, a great band (thank you Carmen Miranda!), and very amusing comedic moments.

The only thing that marred our evening was the large table of rude, obnoxious, cackling Austrailian girls who had plainly come to the wrong place for a send off for one of their number and were constantly vying for attention with the performers.

Unfortunately too the place emptied out when the after hours dancing started, despite a marvellous selection of tunes supplied by the DJ's the Bees Knees.

We will definately return.
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JD
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 29, 2007

A night of total fantasy from drinks in the bar with moody jazz and a smooth barman to razzmatazz, fine foods and beautiful glamorous women in the club area. Staff were friendly, attentive and efficient, the Ostrich steaks on Aubergine sublime, the lamb wonderful.

The show was everything 21st Century Burlesque should be. A celebration of the beauty, humour, pazzazz and downright sexiness that is woman.

Fantastic night out that we will repeat and would heartily recommend to others.

Simply sublime darling!
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Peter and Jackie Gleeson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 16, 2007

I recently visited Volupte with my wife for our anniversary and it proved to be a real treat. The food was excellent (I recommend the Springbok) and the live Jazz was superb. A band called 'Snake-bone' were playing, a really nice addition to the evening. The range of Cocktails and Wine is extensive and well selected. A really great venue.
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Brendan Ravenhill
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, July 13, 2007

I went here for a Birthday party, it’s certainly something very different. Great concept I’m sure if they put some more work into it they’ll make a great show of it. We all had a great time food was fabulous and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for something different. The only negative point was the service at the bar was a bit slow which wasn’t helped by the fact that one of the bar staff would only serve young women and when the flow of young thirsty women finally ebbed I felt like I was asking the guy to donate a kidney rather than ordering drinks. Brilliant night though.
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Jay
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Saturday, June 30, 2007

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