Review on Vanilla Black
Having outgrown his pint-sized premises in York, Andrew Dargue decided to bring his innovative take on veggie food to the capital and set up shop with Vanilla Black, a bigger, flashier space in lawyerland close to the Royal Courts of Justice.
His new dining room has a cool, sedate feel, although the food is sufficiently fired-up to convert even the most rabid carnivores. Forget nut cutlets and lentil bakes, this is exciting stuff that ignores stereotypes and draws its inspiration from around the globe: where else in the capital could you find 'deconstructed Puy lentil dhal with potato purée and curry oil'?
It's invention all the way, starting with - perhaps - seaweed-poached mooli or tomato terrine and whipped mustard with chickpeas, walnut and pistachio oil. Main courses cover a lot of ground, from baked Blue Vinny and Bramley apple galette with celery crisp and spring onion to sweet potato 'vindaloo' and saffron risotto with vegetable and herb pakora, while desserts are tongue-in-cheek offerings such as carrot cake and orange sorbet with crystallised coriander or rum and raisin curd cake with tomato ripple ice cream.
Vanilla Black is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Hardens
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Vegetarian
Chef
Andrew Dargue
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.30pm Mon-Fri
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.00pm Mon-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card
