http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus <b>Arbutus</b><br />London, 63-64 Frith Street, W1D 3JW, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/150mt8
Review by alexthepink

Rating: 5.00
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Arbutus serves delicious bistro fare and is relatively inexpensive for a Michelin starred restaurant. All wines are served by the carafe (1/3 of a bottle), which means you can sample different wines with each course without being limited in your choice. There's no foie gras or other expensive ingredients, instead the cheaper cuts are cooked exquisitely.
Our waitress was lovely, the food was to die for and the atmosphere was buzzy without being too loud. We will definitely be back...]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:23:39 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/150mt82080437866 alexthepink 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l1hb7
Review by ProfMagellan

Rating: 4.00
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An arbutusuneto is a strawberry tree and there used to be one on Soho Square. Today, Soho Square is not populated by exotic flora and fauna so much as by young advertising types sporting their blackberries as though their lives depended on them (perhaps if they work for Martin Sorrell they do?).
Arbutus opened about two years ago to warm reviews
but this was my first visit. My guest was a true foodie
who at one time operated a successful catering business and has trained with some of the UK's leading chefs.
She had squid and mackerel burger (as recommended by AA Gill) and a pollock (I do not jest) whilst I opted for
a beef consomme and a summer risotto of vegetables presented in a lovely copper pan (see photo). The pollock, so my guest claimed, was from Cornwall.
We shared the chocolate soup desert (a thick warm chocolate dish served with ice cream - see photo) and shared half a carafe of sauvignon blanc.
Our waiter was from France and he was excellent - a real professional. The front of house was good too - not hint of the snootiness so often found in trendy London venues.
We both enjoyed our food enormously. Helpings were generous. The menu was excellent and wide-ranging.
The setting modern but not oppressively so.
Arbutus' pricing by London standards was fair.
Recommended.]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:19:16 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l1hb7949153277 ProfMagellan 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1u3eq8
Review by Weeboo

Rating: 4.00
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I've been going to this restaurant for a couple of years now and it has never disappointed food-wise. There is a nice mixture of dishes on the menu. Their fish dishes are fantastic...better than some of the big-name fish restaurants I've dined at. In particular, they do a mean Dorset crab which I've had on several occasions. My boss can recommend the risotto *grin*.

In terms of the surroundings, Arbutus is the atypical pokey Soho restaurant. Undoubtedly stylish, but a bit of a squeeze when busy.

If you're looking to book a business lunch in Soho for the boss, this is a solid choice.]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:22:04 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1u3eq8183366455 Weeboo 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1m7an7
Review by amandaharrison

Rating: 3.00
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I liked it, but the acoustics make it difficult to hear and the layout is cramped. Also, when we went, the waiter a) got my order wrong b) managed to put his thumb in my friend's water then ignored the fact that he'd done it much to our hilarity. The management fixed the fact that he'd got my order wrong (maybe writing it down would have helped) by waiving the cost of it.]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:58:58 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1m7an745005017 amandaharrison 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l0at8
Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00
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A friend visited recently from Australia, and they had one request for me, pick somewhere really good for lunch. Now really good means different things to different people, and from my friend Pete it unnerved me. He knows food and lives in a city renowned for it (Sydney).

It didn't help that I had only a couple of days to organise it, I was sure that anywhere that I wanted would be booked up. I had heard good things about Arbutus and was keen to try it, so, whilst walking past I wandered in, expecting a polite and maybe slightly annoyed sorry-but-you're-way-too-late style of response. I was greeted warmly and told we could have lunch at the bar. Hurrah!

There's a great lunch time offer but we decided to go a la carte. We started with pea and english acorn fed ham soup, light and delicious and salmon ceviche with horseradish cream which was light, delicate and a pleasure to eat. For main course we had broad bean and pea risotto which was extremely well received and I had the line caught pollock with crushed new potatoes and cornish cockles. Very, very good but the salmon starter was the star of the show. We had no room for desserts but we persevered anyway, to my great shame I can't remember what they were!

It's a lovely spot, with great food and ambience, I want to go again and recommend that you do too.]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:50:19 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l0at81193261050 Niamheen 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1j6af7
Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00
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Lunch with my daughter today. What an absolute pleasure; surefire food, surefire waiting staff (this is one of the few places where the 12.5% service charge is fully justified.) and surefire ambience. Her 3 courses at £15.50 of field mushroom soup, caillette of pork (faggot by any other name) and Floating Island pudding were an absolute triumph and bargain to boot. My starter of squid and mackerel 'burger'was a perfectly judged concept as was my mains of pollock with Cornish cockles. The portions were more than perfectly adequate, I'm still quite full as I'm typing this review at 8.30pm.

Well done Arbutus, a surefire triumph. Wild Honey next.]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:19:41 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1j6af7266502546 bellaphon 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1f0a19
Review by Busi_78

Rating: 4.00
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been there a few times and really can't fault it. A fantastic place to go to with friends. The food's great, undemanding and the wines are fabulous. The carafe option allows you to try wines you wouldn't ordinarily and the clientele is laid back, the last time we were there we ended up chatting to the couple on the next table,great laugh. I suppose it would be a drawback that the tables are so close together for a romantic meal. Also the cheese seemed to be an afterthought, no chutneys or fancy biccies. Other than that, really pleasant and affordable. ]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:26:41 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1f0a19691737871 Busi_78 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1k09b8
Review by topruss

Rating: 5.00
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Loved it all..... the food , decor and the friendliest staff ever. Been many times and gets better each time ]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:21:47 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1k09b82122297923 topruss 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1e29r8
Review by gastro1

Rating: 4.00
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I have had outstanding Bouillabaise and Cassoullet in Arbutus as well as some dodgy starters made from curios parts of animals.

On the whole though the food is excellent and good value and the philosophy seems to be to keep it affordable by using inexpensive ingredients.

One of the better restaurants in Soho.]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:48:25 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1e29r81265033403 gastro1 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1a87m7
Review by Browners

Rating: 5.00
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When I heard Miles was coming to London I immediately started thinking of a suitable restaurant. It needed to be somewhere in the West End. Somewhere with British food, a lively atmosphere and a good atmosphere. Having loved Wild Honey it seemed a natural choice to opt for Arbutus.

Cowie checked the menu and predicted that I would chose scallops, pork belly and then the custard tart! This was disastrous because it was exactly what I wanted, but I couldn't possibly just fall into line! So I chose differently. And I'm glad I did!

My porchetta with apple sauce and cress wasn't what I was expecting; very thin slices of roast pork with a warm apple sauce and peppery leaves. Miles had some poached salmon that had been caressed onto his plate and very delicately cooked. It was as soft and moist as it was rich and pink. A stunning work of art on the plate.

My rabbit was moist, gamey, soft and very interesting. It came with a confit of rabbit shoulder casoulet with a truffle mashed potato topping. Quite a mouthful to type let alone eat. It was stunning. A rich, warming friend for my rabbit. The fact that I forgot about it until I finished my rabbit just made it taste even better!

Miles has a sensational looking shin of veal. The sauce shimmered and blinked like a celebrity at the Oscars. It was deep, comforting and beautifully presented.

Miles finished with a rhibarb jelly and I rather greedily couldn't resist the chocolate soup which was, as you might expect, pretty rich! The rhibarb on the other hand was light and sparkling with flavour.

We loved the atmosphere, which had a very lively vibe. Loads of 20 and 30 somethings having fun after work. Prices aren't too horific and the wine list is both fun and accessible given their caraffe policy. I'm looking forward to finding another excuse to come here!]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:13:14 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1a87m7611718384 Browners 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1t43q7
Review by TimMancs

Rating: 5.00
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Was attending one of my regular Friday meetings in London last week and took my best London mate here as he's one of those weird people who sees food as simply the intake of fuel and if it was his choice hed be taking me to the Stockpot. Having done the Haywood and a quick look at the cities exhibit at Tate Modern, which was excellent, I found myself with about 2 hours to find and book a good table close to Old Compton Street, where we'd agreed to meet after he finished work.

And Arbutus is what caught my eye - Time Out best new restaurant of the year in 2006 and exceedingly handy to our rendezvous. I thought I wasn't taking too much of a risk as a quick look at the menu outside the premises confirmed it wasn't too expensive&or pretentious&and they had shepherd's pie on the menu. I thought I was on a winner when they confirmed they did have a table for 90 minutes time. True to form though my London mate moaned about the fact I'd dragged him to a fancy restaurant even though its hardly a schlep from Old Compton Street and the service was exceptionally quick - and he's the first oh so tiny fault - so quick that it seemed slick, slick and formulaic. My starter of smoked eel, beetroot and horseradish cream appeared within minutes. It seems churlish to moan about speed and they do promote their theatre menu so for all of you who are in a bit of a hurry you'll be fine.

The quality of the food though quickly dispelled any reservations I might have had though - I love rollmops and the eel was like a posh version without the pickle and the beetroot and horseradish cream worked a treat with it. The moany git skipped a starter and had the bavette of beef which he was generous enough to admit was very good and I helped myself to a few tastes of his dauphinois and can confirm that it is indeed one of the best I've ever tasted too. My saddle of rabbit was excellent and the shepherd's pie made from the shoulder was brilliant - very clever. The highlight though was what they did with the runner beans! - I grew up on a farm and they were a summer staple but never have I tasted such delicious beans - a marvel.

The tables are fairly close together so you could easily spot what others were having and all the food looked great. The wine was excellent and the prices are definitely good value for such classy food in the centre of town - both main courses came in at under £15 each. Service was very efficient without being friendly and just seemed a bit soulless. These are tiny faults though and I'd emphasise what an excellent place it is.

Am definitely going to go back and as a pre or post theatre venue it looks superb.
]]> Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:11:24 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1t43q7705517800 TimMancs 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1p03t8
Review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 5.00
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If you're short of time, this is all you need to know: this place is brilliant.

For those of you who're browsing whilst pretending to work and fancy a bit more of a read, here we go. The missus and I went to Arbutus a few weeks ago and have been raving about it ever since.

From the understated decor and friendly, efficient staff to the genuinely amazing food and the helpful way of selling wine in 250ml carafes, this is a tremendous experience all the way through the evening.

The food is exactly what I love in a good restaurant: top notch ingredients cooked sensitively and without complication, with a deft, witty touch throughout. The wine list is expertly chosen and manages to offer some more intriguing, challenging bottles among the safer options. The way they offer them in 250ml carafes means you can match wine to food throughout the meal without having to buy two or three full bottles, which really makes a difference.

So on the whole the experience was pretty much perfect from the moment we stepped through the door to our reluctant departure. And what price perfection? Well, given that we'd kicked off with Champagne, gone the full three courses and showed no restraint at all on the wine front (and sneaked in a tremendous Armagnac at the end), I think £75 a head was more than reasonable, especially compared with £130 a head for a very average dinner at Boxwood some time ago.

We will definitely be going back. ]]> Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:57:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1p03t8213186195 DanWilkinson 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1013b7
Review by psychovamp

Rating: 5.00
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one word....amazing!]]> Sun, 10 Jun 2007 22:40:01 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1013b7371340802 psychovamp 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1w92l7
Review by stuartclennett

Rating: 5.00
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Can't speak highly enough of a great restaurant that has clearly got it's act together. My wife & I arrived 5 mins early, but our table was ready anyway (plus point in my view that so many restaurants fail on).

The service was superb, the food arrived in a very timely manner with, IMO, the right timing between courses (i.e. a longer delay between main and dessert). The staff were friendly and helpful.

Food quality is excellent, and for chocoholics everywhere, please, try the "soup". ;o)]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:47:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1w92l7692172936 stuartclennett 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l12j8
Review by freddie5540

Rating: 4.00
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I had been longing to visit Arbutus for a some time and when the opportunity arose i jumped at it. I was in a hurry (very unfortunate) and could only fit in one course. Feeling a little boring, yet craving it, i ordered the steak. A fantastic option it was, served with one of the best dauphinoise potatoes i have ever had; being a purist i like a creamy, (not buttery, and split) potato dish with just a pleasant hint of garlic. It delivered on all accounts and was served attractively in a copper dish. My companion enjoyed a delicate and delightful ravioli of pumpkin. I wish i could talk more about a place that is clearly firing on all cylinders!

I love my wine and the options in 250ml caraffe are outstanding, especially if you are only having one course and want glass of something nice.

Very good indeed!!]]> Mon, 14 May 2007 00:39:12 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1n52d8f/arbutus/1l12j8480241379 freddie5540 51.513914402416 -0.1336903731504