Vapiano on Great Portland Street was one of the first Italian restaurants I discovered when I moved to London, so I’ve always had a soft spot for it.
Already a big hit with restaurants across the world, the group recently opened the two-floor Vapiano Soho on Wardour Street. The concept at Vapiano is a little different to other restaurants. On arrival, you’re given a swipe card and order dishes from dedicated counters where the chefs cook them in front of you.
We visited for dinner on a quiet weeknight and managed to get a large table on the lower floor with high benches to ourselves. As we had a few bags, we went up to the counters separately to order our starters and mains together.
The generously sized Insalata Cesare (£4.25) was freshly-mixed at the counter while I was waiting for my pasta. The crisp Cos lettuce was evenly dressed with creamy, subtle (not too garlicky) dressing and finished with Grana Padano D.O.P flakes and shavings, plus a perfect little cherry tomato for colour.
Bruschetta (£4) was authentically Italian with fragrant, juicy chopped tomatoes, nicely charred rustic bread, fresh pesto and a drizzle of olive oil.
It’s worth ordering pizza and pasta to share, as both are done well at Vapiano. I ordered the Scampi (£9.95) with fresh Campanelle pasta – you can choose from different kinds of pasta, including wholewheat and gluten-free. The generous amount of pasta was plunged into boiling water in its own basket and was served perfectly al dente (as it consistently is there).
The plump, juicy king prawns were pan-fried from raw with garlic, white wine and fresh herbs and then the rich tomato sauce was added. The result was a delicious, comforting bowl of pasta that we thoroughly enjoyed.
The pasta was perfectly seasoned, however the tables are dressed with bottles of olive oil and fresh basil plants, so you can add the finishing touches to your dish.
Steven ordered a Barbecue Chicken Pizza (£9.95), which was my suggestion (I’m definitely not a pizza purist). The dough was thin, airy and pleasantly chewy, made with traditional Neapolitan flour. The plentiful roast chicken breast was tender and high quality and accompanied by sliced red onion, rich tomato sauce, smoked cheese and creamy mozzarella.
The tangy barbecue sauce was a bit overpowering as it was added after cooking and while I enjoyed the pizza, I actually prefer and recommend the more classic pizzas that I’ve tried at Vapiano. I’ve since asked Steven to steer me away from ordering American-inspired pizzas, as simplicity is always best.
For dessert, I went for the light and rather healthy Nuvoletta Dolce (£4). A generous amount of thick, cool Greek-style yoghurt was studded with luscious raspberries and topped with a sprinkling of crushed meringues. It was a refreshing change from overly indulgent, sweet desserts and I couldn’t help feeling a little virtuous for not caving in to the Death By Chocolate.
Steven’s Baked Cheesecake (£4) was rich and fluffy with a hint of lemon and vanilla. The biscuit base tasted buttery like shortbread and we enjoyed the golden, baked cheesecake crust and the sharp, sweet raspberry sauce served on the side.
At Vapiano I like that it’s possible to customise your dish as it’s being cooked, however the number of questions can be a little overwhelming and communication over the counter isn’t always easy. Another small problem is deciding whether to start your meal while your dining partner is still at the counter or to let your own meal cool down. An alternative is finding a seat after collecting your meal, however this isn’t easy while navigating the stairs/lift with your belongings and a tray.
On the plus side, it’s fun to watch your meal being cooked and you can set the pace of dining, which is particularly handy for a speedy lunch break treat. There’s no table service as such at Vapiano, but there are plenty of staff on hand to help you out – our lovely waitress offered to bring dessert to us.
The menu at Vapiano is diverse with simple classics and more adventurous ‘internationally inspired’ dishes, plus the prices are very reasonable – in fact, I didn’t spot anything over £9.95.
If you’re after a quick, tasty and affordable Italian meal in Soho, Vapiano is a great choice.
For more information, visit: www.uk.vapiano.com
Chérie City was a guest of Vapiano
Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Vapiano)
