"Show us a map of Soho and with muscle memory we can point out Quo Vadis’ Dean Street location, mentally marked with a pin in the shape of a frosty, crisp martini. To some it’s a members’ club, others declare it a Jeremy Lee—MBE super-chef—institution that’s home to London’s most notable sandwich. But anyone who’s spent a long, lingering night on its crimson banquette knows exactly what Quo Vadis is—a modern Great British classic that will serve you a golden good time on a plate. A meal here begins with a warm “may I take your coat” welcome and should end with a stumbling walk to the station, a fluttering giggle still trapped in your throat. Somewhere in between there will be clinked glasses of Sancerre cuvée, a platter of oysters, and a heated dispute over pie versus pheasant, but there’s a certain smooth, Clooney-esque wink to the atmosphere that sets this Soho sophisticate apart. Look at the John Broadley sketches dotted around the dining room and on what is arguably London’s most aesthetically charming menu. This is a restaurant with—yes, white tablecloths—but also a sense of humour. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch The air of an IRL data privacy clause means that no one will ever know that you checked yourself out in the glossy chocolate shine of our favourite edible mirror, “les qv profiteroles au chocolat”. Or that you found carving your spoon into the pie of the day’s flaky pastry lid to be more profound than the last eight minutes of Gladiator. Or that the couple sitting in the corner—one half of which has been on the telly— is making an extreme sport of playing footsie. It’s a bolthole of bliss with the privacy of stained glass windows and a Vegas mentality for people who love pudding and starting a triple-digit, show-off meal with a smoked eel sandwich that everyone should experience at least once. photo credit: Quo Vadis photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Quo Vadis is ideal for all the things that Soho knows how to do best—sipping an old-school cocktail in the hallowed space that Karl Marx once called home, three-hour lunches, and tipsy evenings that incite three-day hangovers. Forget E1, SW1, or W11. QV is our favourite postcode in London for a good time. Food Rundown photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Smoked Eel Sandwich A confident take on a classic—a line of subtle, smoky eel chunks standing to attention between uniform rectangles of sourdough from Poilâne, paired with an absolute face-slapper serving of mustard and horseradish cream. video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Today's Pie Not to brag, but we’ve tried several of QV’s daily changing pies and they always follow a winning recipe of tender meat (chicken, lamb, and an assortment of other Old McDonald favourites), exceptional golden suet crust, and some kind of herby stock that you’re legally obliged to slurp in public. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch “Les QV Profiteroles Au Chocolat” Is it a coincidence that ‘profound’ and ‘profiteroles’ start with the same three letters? We think not. These glossy, bulbous QV icons don’t so much reinvent indulgence but celebrate it with crisp, delicate choux, double cream, and humming notes of vanilla, matched with proper grown-up-approved dark chocolate. Incroyable. video credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley Sticky Toffee Pudding The fruity marmalade crown on top of this sticky toffee pudding is all the evidence we need that Paddington is secretly a garibaldi-guzzling QV member. Thanks to its intense treacle flavour and fruity currant factor, this has the winter warmer capabilities akin to an open fire." - Heidi Lauth Beasley
