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Harden's survey result
Summary
“A Soho Classic”. “Jeremy Lee’s cooking is worth crossing town for” – “traditional modern British/Scottish cuisine with seasonal flare” – and he has, over the last dozen years, helped the Hart Bros reestablish this “up-market, white-tablecloth English landmark” as a magnet for a “totally reliable and stylish” occasion, particularly a “romantic” one. It helps that the “lovely staff” help create a “happy” and unforced atmosphere and that the successful private members’ club on the upper floors of the building add to the address’s allure as a destination for those in-the-know. The worst anyone says? “It all seemed a bit safe”. Top Menu Tips – “the smoked eel sandwich starter is a taste experience no serious foodie should miss”; and “the daily pie never disappoints”.
Summary
“It always feels special” to visit the Hart Bros’ ‘Grande Dame of Dean Street’ (est. 1926 in a historic building, where Karl Marx started to pen ‘Das Kapital’) – a cosseting haven of “warm and friendly” hospitality with “lovely decor”; and “for somewhere this clubby-feeling in the centre of town, it doesn’t break the bank”. Jeremy Lee’s “monthly changing seasonal menu is a delight” – contemporary but with a slightly retro British vibe (and “it‘s always exciting to see what the pie of the day is”); thoughtful wine selection too – “some fair-priced reds” in particular. (At least that’s the story painted in the vast majority of reports: ratings would be even higher were they not capped by a small but noticeable minority who found the performance this year “disappointing on a couple of occasions”; or “tired”). Top Menu Tips – “the smoked eel sandwich is so good it manages to live up to its reputation!”. And “pie of the day is unmissable”, “with wonderfully thin, crisp, buttery pastry”.
Summary
“One of the legends of the London food scene” – the Hart Bros’ ‘Grande Dame of Dean Street’ is some reporters’ “all-time favourite in the capital – especially now the dining room has been enlarged and transformed to feel much comfier”. (At the end of 2022, the Harts reclaimed the space in this “beautiful, historic building” that had been given over to Barrafina for a few years, to return QV back to its former capacity). “Now with the refit, the environment has caught up with Jeremy Lee’s dishes” – “fine British fare using seasonal ingredients” that’s “top cuisine, without feeling too ‘restauranty’” – all delivered in a “convivial atmosphere which takes us back to classic Soho days”. “Superb all round” and “low-key in a good way, so ideal for business”. Top Menu Tip – “that eel sandwich is still a winner”.
Summary
“Jeremy Lee continues to deliver seasonal excellence in elegant surroundings with an atmosphere to match” at the Hart Bros’ “delightful” and “unfailing” bastion of old Soho (which also incorporates an eponymous members’ club for the foodie in-crowd on the upper floors of this rambling property, whose blue plaque celebrates former tenant, Karl Marx). Lee’s deft British cooking is “always thoughtful and cheering” and “the wonderful room is compact enough to ensure great service”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Quo Vadis?
26-29 Dean St, London, W1D 3LL
Restaurant details
Quo Vadis Restaurant Diner Reviews
"What a place! Simple British dishes perfectly delivered. Charming service in historic and beautiful surroundings. Absolutely fantastic!! Salad, lamb, tart and cheese. "
"Too clubby, too self-centred and becoming a sceny/touristy place where the food matters less than getting in. And the scene and food aren’t good enough to be worth the effort. Service approaches NY steakhouse levels of disinterest. The smoked eel sandwich is still special though."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £39.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
26-29 Dean St, London, W1D 3LL
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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