It all begun with a little blob of Buffalo mozzarella, courtesy of the chef, which definitely contributed to our positive disposition to the meal. - I have ordered Scallops for starter because I have never actually been served them as they should be. Had them unswallowably chewy, charred on the outside and frozen! on the inside, but I never actually had the good fortune to actually taste the shellfish. Until yesterday that is. After eating them at Quo Vadis, scallops are now my favorite seafood.
Although glad to have ordered my dish, I wished I had my friend's one too...(greedy me). He had Pancetta layered with grilled tomatoes in a layered filo pastry (I think). So very tasty and perfect in consistency. I though that was the highlight of the evening right until my medium-re Duck arrived!
It was served with bits of pan-fried Veal's liver (was a bit guilty about that, not so keen on eating baby animals) The unusual combination did actually work quite well as a novelty. The Duck was perfect though. It's wonderful flavour kept inside by perfect, crisp skin seal, the flesh was juicy red and I had an oral orgasm! (get your brains out of the gutter!) the only thing that let my dish down was a cabbage/potatoe concottion that looked like a shrivelled penis of a 90 year old - not that I've ever seen one, so it's a guess...but the taste was possibly even worse! Yuk! For goodeness sake Quo Vadis chef people, take that foul thing off the Duck dish! I am begging you!
My friend ordered Lamb and was rather pleased with it, though hardly touched it due to big late lunch, which is a shame. I don't like the taste of Lamb so I can't comment on it.
If I you were to twist my arm and made me whinge about the Quo Vadis experience, I'd pick on the presentation. Nouvelle Cuisine meets Abstract Expressionism. Voila' a meal at Quo Vadis that competes with Damien Hurst's art on the wall. (Don't worry not the Pickled Shark that's still the Saatchi on the South Bank I think.)
In my opinion a little more control over the composition would have made the dishes less confusing. The arrangements were anything but easy on the eye and the delicate flavours of the tiny sauces splashed over the plates got completely lost.
However, this creative approach to presentation did work rather well for the desserts. I thought my Creme Panna Cotta looked so good I'd like to hang it on my wall. :o) It was one of the best desserts I have ever tasted. The creaminess balanced the mashed raspberries underneath not only in texture but in flavour too. My friend was very pleased with his unusual Ice Cream. I don't know what was in it but unconventional stuff for sure, like beetroot - Well, he is the type of guy who also enjoys Mustard Ice Cream which would indicate that you may need an adventurous pallet to enjoy your meal at Quo Vadis. The dishes here are not designed for 'beginners' or children.
I would also like to pay homage to the long, long thin cheese sticks served at the beginning. Thy were the cheesiest yummy things - or what would you call it - with which I have ever had the pleasure to pick an imaginary sword fight!
Ah Ok! Let me pick on a couple of things, the little devil of perfection just crying inside to be let out! ;o)
Gin and Tonic could have been served in a proper glass instead of a tall water tumbler. that just doesn't become such classy joint. Incidentally the cheese stick came in the same glass...what is it about tall tumblers in that place...?
- Alright one more thing. If the young Italian waiters learned a little more English or have some answers to questions such as "what's on the plate" ...most of the stuff looks ambiguous....or if they learned to open bottles at the table or if they'd remember when you ask them for extra cheese sticks...or even....if they had the manners not to argue about it in public.
Ah but the world isn't perfect even if one pays through the nose for it to be. Speaking of noses, that Tuscan Red Wine was rather delicious and went very well with our meal.
I'd go back to Quo Vadis in Dean Street, Soho, London again - when the menu is changed.
(ps: the crappy pictures are mine)
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