London - Quo Vadis
Autumn 2008
Frank's view 
The Soho veteran is back
The Camel’s companion has a penchant for fish soup.
The words ‘soupe de poisson’ set her taste buds tingling.
'Bouillabaisse' propels her to culinary nirvana.
I was amazed when she passed over the ‘Classic fish soup’ in favour of ‘Clams & Spaghetti’. The clams were gritty but the soup was not. It’s a pity Quo Vadis hasn’t bitten the bone, gone the whole hake and created an authentic Marseille Bouillabaisse.
The menu is laid out for the fussy eater:
Seafood
Salads
Pasta
Fish
Grill
Roast
Etc., etc., etc.
To follow we picked fillet of beef from ‘Grill,’ and ‘Roast’ Saddle of lamb. Good but not great.
Quo Vadis has been revamped by the Hart brothers (offspring of Hambleton Hall, creators of Barrafina & Fino). It is an ambitious step from tapas to the tradition of an eighty year old institution.
This Camel was less than impressed with Fino but Quo Vadis seems to have been handled with more care. Attention to detail is apparent, in the restoration, the service and the food.
Despite a packed and buzzing room at 9.30pm on a Tuesday evening, the tables for two were large and well spaced. The Harts have resisted the temptation to cram in the customers to pay for an ambitious venture.
They deserve to succeed.
Quo Vadis
26-29 Dean street
London W1
020 7437 9585
http://www.quovadissoho.co.uk/
The words ‘soupe de poisson’ set her taste buds tingling.
'Bouillabaisse' propels her to culinary nirvana.
I was amazed when she passed over the ‘Classic fish soup’ in favour of ‘Clams & Spaghetti’. The clams were gritty but the soup was not. It’s a pity Quo Vadis hasn’t bitten the bone, gone the whole hake and created an authentic Marseille Bouillabaisse.
The menu is laid out for the fussy eater:
Seafood
Salads
Pasta
Fish
Grill
Roast
Etc., etc., etc.
To follow we picked fillet of beef from ‘Grill,’ and ‘Roast’ Saddle of lamb. Good but not great.
Quo Vadis has been revamped by the Hart brothers (offspring of Hambleton Hall, creators of Barrafina & Fino). It is an ambitious step from tapas to the tradition of an eighty year old institution.
This Camel was less than impressed with Fino but Quo Vadis seems to have been handled with more care. Attention to detail is apparent, in the restoration, the service and the food.
Despite a packed and buzzing room at 9.30pm on a Tuesday evening, the tables for two were large and well spaced. The Harts have resisted the temptation to cram in the customers to pay for an ambitious venture.
They deserve to succeed.
Quo Vadis
26-29 Dean street
London W1
020 7437 9585
http://www.quovadissoho.co.uk/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
