Mildreds

On Thursday I took a colleague for lunch at Mildreds on Lexington Street. Mildreds is a vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Soho that has been running for years.

I've always liked Mildreds. I'm not a vegetarian but it has the most exciting vegetarian menu around. Plus it caters for people who are gluten and diary intolerant which is just brilliant. My parents are both coeliacs so I know how hard it is to find menus that work.

We hadn't booked a table, in fact I'm not sure you can book a table, so strolled in at just before 1pm. It's always busy and packed to the rafters. It's a quirky place. I guess you'd call it shabby chic. Luckily there were a few tables spare so we went through to the back dining room.

There are a few high tables and stools at the front of the restaurant but really all the action takes place towards the back.

As well as the substantial menu there is a specials board which changes daily. The menu is solid and strong with lots of great dishes that sound amazing. To whet your appetite, here are some of the highlights:

Tomato, aubergine, chickpea and green olive tagine served with flaked almond cous cous, flat bread and harissa.

Sundried tomato and buffalo mozzarella risotto cake served with wilted spinach, green beans and grape mustard cream sauce.

Linguini with courgette and pistachio pesto, served with cherry tomatoes and rocket.

Borlotti bean and sunblushed tomato sausages served with pumpkin and sweet potato mash, broccoli and apple cider jus.

Mixed mushroom, porcini and ale pie served with fries and mushy peas.

As you can see, inventive and delicious even for a meat eater!

There is a special burger of the day. On Thursday is was courgette and sweet red pepper. We ordered two burgers with cheese and sweet potato fries and settled in.

The food arrived in good time and looked amazing. Two delicious burgers that looked as good as they tasted. Rich and meaty (even though they were meat free) they oozed taste and texture. The cheese complimented the burger well. The bread was perhaps a little lacking. The sweet potato fries OK.

Two burgers and two soft drinks came to £34 including service.

Service can be a little hit and miss. It's good but the staff can be down right rude at times. Attitude rules supreme. However if you can get past this then it's worth a visit.

For more reviews search Eatreview Blog.

I had several friends recommend this restaurant and had always wanted to go. The restaurant, as said, above doesn't take bookings so expecting to have to wait we arrived at half past seven. The decor is minimalist and modern, with interesting plates adorning the walls. It was rammed, and being one of those long narrow soho rooms, space was at a premium. No matter. My friend and I had a beer at the bar.

We were asked if we minded sharing a table, for us that wasn't a problem, apart from when I dropped my napkin. The stranger dining next to me and I both went to reach it at the same time and clunked heads! We all had a giggle.

Thought had gone in to the presentation on both courses, which is always good, because I'm on who believes you eat with the eyes first! To begin I had the butternut squash, chilli feta and red pepper pie with green beans. It was lovely, the chilli contrasting nicely with the sweetness of the squash. For my main I chose the Sri Lankan curry which was smooth and delicate. Being a chilli fiend, I LOVED the heat provided by the little ramekin of tomato sambal, and could have happily smothered it all over!

Service was smiley, and prompt, on leaving the waitress suggested we return for lunch one time. If I did, one of the starters would serve the purpose because as perfect sized portions. The atmosphere was fun and vibrant, although, a minus for me was the up tempo pop music. Nevertheless, definitely worth a visit!