I've always walked past 100 Wardour Street restaurant in Soho (I don't need to mention the street address, I trust?) and wanted to go in. It's visibly glamorous, with the sort of heavy framed doors and well tailored bouncer attendance that speaks to some serious splendour on the inside. There's a constant babble that spills out when these doors peek open, and on Saturdays there are normally queues of preened women in heels outside (it can only be the bottomless prosecco brunch!). It's also the old site of the legendary Marquee Club – where artists including David Bowie and the Rolling Stones used to perform. Intriguing indeed.
So, when I was invited down to review their mid week set dinner menu I jumped at the chance. There are two sections to the place; their bar and lounge, serving all the cocktails in the world and several different food menus, and the restaurant and club downstairs, where the set menus live. As I entered the place, I knew my assumptions about it were right instantly. It is super lux, with a stylish interior teaming with suited and booted waiting staff and hosts. Everything feels….cool. The downstairs restaurant and club area is fronted by a large stage area with full club lighting, hinting at entertainment to come later. There's live music and a DJ 5 nights a week and so even on the Tuesday that I ate there, the place was pretty rocking! We had a live soul act on who were just amazing!
We got stuck into the food. There's a 3 course menu on offer for £35 with a half bottle of wine – not bad for central London and the wine was good. There was a choice of around 4 dishes of modern British food for each course. For starters I tried their Rabbit, Duck Liver and Black Pudding Terrine with Piccalilli which was a winner. The terrine was well seasoned with a lovely texture on the liver and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
On mains, it could only be the Crispy Confit Duck with Creamed Savoy Cabbage and Red Wine Jus because, well, how night does that sound, right? It was a close call though between it and the roasted chicken with red chard and girolles with a port and truffle vinaigrette, but…duck beats chicken always. The confit was a good one- with crispy skin and moist meat that slipped off the bone, and I always adore buttery savoy cabbage.
The dessert menu read like a dream. How does one pick between passion fruit tart, warm chocolate pudding and a cheese board?! Eventually the passion fruit tart won out and what a delight it was.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed 100 Wardour Street. The entertainment is top notch and the food and wine offering of good quality. This place is ideal for an evening dinner with pals, boozy brunches and dates to impress. I'll certainly be back!
100 Wardour St, Soho, London
