http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black Vanilla Black - London, 17- 18 Tooks Court, EC4A 1LB, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/300591_16d4cc7c.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1j9o37
Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 4.00
Tags: vegetarian, british, classy, good value
I've been here twice now - one for lunch and once for dinner, and have felt *pretty* impressed both times, though I found it a much better destination for dinner.

The food is commendable: the menu is a seriously good take on modern British seasonality (minus the meat) and hence a bit more sophisticated than the global fusion you get at other well-known veggie gaffs, like Manna or The Gate. However, portions are on the smaller size, and you really do need to go for all three courses to have a satisfying meal out - my husband worries that it is a bit too 'set menu' and not flexible enough with the a la carte.

A few examples from their recent menu include a starter 'toasty' with home-made piccalilli and 'deconstructed' lentil dal. Mains are exciting too: mushroom duxelle with mushy peas, goats cheese and walnut backlava with onion puree, beetroot tarte with horseradish custard...

The room is quite formally dressed and modern, with crisp white tablecloths and chandeliers - very trad, quite classy. Front of house is good too: they've brought a chirpy, friendly staff from the original restaurant in York, and you can tell that they care passionately about the food. The only dull note is the 80s' soft-rock and alt hits playing in the background: it seems to compromise the attention to detail with the food, room, and service.

However, the food and service is good enough to compete with any posh gastropub in the area, and the choices on offer will thrill any meat-reducer. Give it a go!]]> Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:55:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1j9o37786429078 Izabel_blue vegetarian british classy good value 51.517024 -0.110703 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1y88u8
Review by LJRich

Rating: 5.00
Tags: expensive, veggie, yummy, international, good value, gourmet, vegetarian
The best thing about Vanilla Black is that you can take someone here without telling them it's a veggie restaurant. The words "Gourmet" and "Vegetarian" aren't usually bandied about in the same sentence, but this godsend to discriminating non-meat-eaters will blow any thoughts of "rabbit food" clearly out of the water.
Set in a secluded yet central part of London (3 mins from Chancery Lane Station on the Central Line) I adored the look and taste of my 3 courses so much, I made a Flickr gallery of dinner! In the evenings, 2 courses are £24 and 3 courses are £30. Along with an extensive winelist and a sense of luxury, I seriously advise going to this restaurant hungry - you will feel extremely full and satisfied after this thoroughly pleasurable experience - Say hello to Donna and Andy from me!

*if you want to see what I ate, go here: www.flickr.com/photos/ljrich/ ]]> Sat, 17 May 2008 22:40:59 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1y88u81614302400 LJRich expensive veggie yummy international good value gourmet vegetarian 51.517024 -0.110703 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1q68n8
Review by lingholm

Rating: 5.00
Tags: romantic, business, good value, vegetarian
recently opened - have eaten dinner here twice now - both times had an excellent evening with imaginative and attractively presented food with really good service. one night i started with the deconstructed puy lentil dahl which was extremely tasty and nicely spiced. for the main course the parsley and mushroom duxelle mille feuille was a superb combination of quality and taste. All followed by a sumptious chocolate parfait. the wines list is well chosen and interesting. meat eaters as well would enjoy eating at vanilla black. overall a warm welcome and an elegant dining atmosphere.

]]> Sun, 04 May 2008 14:18:26 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1f26x8r/vanilla-black/1q68n8958179759 lingholm romantic business good value vegetarian 51.517024 -0.110703