London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Do you Giraffe? A verb rather than a noun. Is there better proof of how successful this colourful chain of restaurants has become?

The public just loves the relaxed atmosphere, the wide range of the menu, the holiday-like atmosphere.
Fans have their habits – their favourite time of the day, their preferred dish. I mostly go there for breafast. My order never varies: Huevos Rancheros, banana and blueberry pancakes, Mango Mama smoothie (mango, strawberry, orange, apple juice). My daughter immediately steals the stirrer from me -  a giant-necked giraffe.

The Southbank location is incredibly busy and although quite a few other addresses exist in the capital, one was definitely missing close to Regent  and Oxford St. Rejoyce, the Soho address has just opened in this never static neighbourhood. The idea? Make it the ideal meeting place after work or a shopping session.

The menu offers a collection of sharing options -  so much more pleasant with friends than a formal dinner. The opening, earlier this week, was a great occasion to review what is on offer. Follow me but beware, you’ll be rushing to your fridge in a few minutes…

Where to start? With the dips (Amazing grace, £5.95). A classic, maybe, but it does keep you from drooling on the table when choosing your meal-feast. Hummus, a very fragrant salsa with vine tomoatoes and lemon and quite a nice twist edemame-spinach. Great alternative to guacamole! This is served with a selection of breads- some warm, some crispy. The one with grilled seeds is a little gem and I would love to see it separately on the list. So much better than any crips/dorritos + guilt free.

Phase 2: rehydratation. No molecular mixology or strange mixes here but comfortable and revigorating classics. Those we keep forget for the love of “something original and trendy”. Getting back to them is like meeting an old friend. You can leave all your worries behind. Try the  Bramble (Bombay gin, lemon juice, crème de cassis – £5.95) or the Mango & Lime Daquiri (fresh mango, lime, bacardi and mango liquor – £ 6.50). Oh, and indulge yourself. It is so very rare these days to see a glass lined with sugar, don’t resist: lick it…

I pretty much fell for the skewers. Penang beef, tekila and lime chicken, prawns with lemon and coriander, grilled halloumi… The plates emptied in no time. Ask for a selection of sauces and experiment – there will be  mmmh, mmmhs involved to indicate which one is your favourite. Bonus points for the satay-mint and the roasted pumpkin seed-chilli. Hopefully, Giraffe will consider having a little deli side in the future and sell those.
Why not add a few sides? Sweet potato fries, coleslaw with red pepper and popyy seeds, mac cheese with pimento…

Another interesting option, flatbreads as pizza. Extra thin and crunchy base, very aromatic tomoto sauce, enhanced with oregon, basil, garlic and mozzarella for the Margherita twist (£5.50). Meat eaters will probably prefer the Wiseguy (£6.50) with its bites of chicken in barbecue sauce and caramelised onions…

A tester absolument! You will, I promise, also fall in love with the veggie burger (Sweet Potato Falafel (£6.95, but below as a slider). Gorgeous mix of hummus, beetroots, hallumi, harissa, red pepper. Moist, slightly spicey, to die for.  No meat? Who cares?

A sweet touch to finish -  brownies. They may not be as gourmet as Paul A Young‘s , they won’t last long on the table. Just imagine them with more chocolate sauce and a little vanilla ice-cream.

Verdict: Text all your friends to meet you there. Cheerful atmosphere guaranteed, filling portions without breaking the bank, central location. Just a little warning: they will be stealing from your plate but well, you will retaliate anyway.

Giraffe Soho
11 Frith Street
London
W1D 4RB

7 Responses to “Giraffe opens in Soho ”