After my disappointing experience at Vanilla Black, I wanted to try another of the capital's vegetarian restaurants.
Thankfully, the experience was better.
The atmosphere was much more my scene; relaxed, comfortable, very smart casual – sort of how I like to dress.
They don’t take bookings so you have to queue. I do not understand why restaurants do this, other than to make the restaurant seem uber cool: 'See just how cool we are, there's a queue out of the door...and it's freezing outside'. Irrelevant of coolness factor, I’d really rather just book. Especially because, for eight months of the year (OK, OK, ten months) the weather in England is perpetually drizzling.
The service was good. All the staff were pleasant, it was nothing over and beyond the call of duty, but in my opinion it doesn't always have to be.
Onto the food. One word - solid. Nothing mind blowing, but well presented and very edible.
I started with pumpkin and ricotta ravioli in mushroom and white wine sauce. My fiancé ordered the gyoza dumplings with plum sauce. Off to a good start.
I’m a little fussy about pumpkin ravioli. I’ve had too many where it’s too sweet, and very few that get it right by retaining the flavour of the pumpkin while taking the edge off the sweetness. Mildreds got it right and, the sauce was delicate and complimented the ravioli nicely.
I can say the same of the gyoza – solid, well made and, the plum sauce complimented the flavours in the gyoza well.
The specials board had me hooked for my main; nut roast with root vegetables and cider sauce. My fiancé ordered the Sri Lankan sweet potato and cashew nut curry with basmati rice with peas and tomato sambal.
The nut roast was ok. Some good flavours, but all in all, it was a little on the intense side. Not quite pulling a Vanilla Black in regards to mains, but verging on too many flavours cancelling out each other through sensory overload.
The Sri Lankan curry was delicious, albeit not Sri Lankan at all - trust me, my heritage hails from that island.
Pudding was sticky toffee pudding - yum, yum yum. No issues. None at all. I love sticky toffee pudding. If it's on the menu I'll order it and, I'll love it. If I don't love it, then don't bother going to the restaurant.
The other dessert that we ordered was a vegan banana and coconut, tofu cheesecake. I have to be honest, at first I was a little bit disgusted. My mind was waiting for the hit of cheese...being a cheesecake and all. Once I'd gotten over my own prejudice (a feat unto itself) I began to appreciate just how well made it was. The flavours were delicate and the texture remained true of what you would expect from an average cheesecake. I'd even go as far to say, that despite being a cheese fiend, I would order this again if I wanted a lighter option...and sticky toffee pudding was not on the menu.
I think it's safe to say that I will be going to Mildreds again. A whole menu made for me (and a good sprinkling of vegan options). Last but not least, the wine was tasty and veg - see, a solid experience.
Price: Approx. £61.00 for 2 glasses of house red, 3 courses x 2, donation to something relating charity and Deutsche Bank (!!!) and, service charge.
Veggie Friendly: 5/5
Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
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