For the first London Me Up Valentine’s Special, where else would I choose to review, than my favourite London restaurant? If you’re selecting somewhere to have your date this weekend, and you can’t be bothered putting any further thought in than ‘some restaurant’, then you can’t go wrong with this little gem hidden on a quiet side street in the heart of grimy Soho. Roughly 10 minute’s walk from Oxford Circus, Lexington St is home to the already reviewed John Snow pub (for a pre-drink), then on to the Soho edition of Wagamama’s if you fancy being herded into a pen, to hurriedly gobble sweaty rice and greasy noodles. Or if you want an independent, quieter, more charming evening, there are also a few little restaurants and cafes, but none more splendid than this.

Why she’ll love it:

It’s a vegan restaurant. So as long as you’re not vegan, whether she is or not, you’ll get points for being a caring, friend of the earth hippy before you even have to look a tramp in the eye, or walk anywhere near a bucket-shaker. Everything is vegan, and a lot is either wheat-free or gluten-free, or both. So if she’s either of these, then that’s extra points for being so caring. There’s a common misconception that because someone is not vegetarian, they’re somehow putting themselves out by being forced to eat one meal without a huge slab of deer dripping in blood, carved from the carcass, and eaten from a bathtub of chainsaws. Of course it’s not true, you may not want learn how to cook a vegan or vegetarian meal with all the required nutrients yourself, but if someone else cooks it for you, if it tastes brilliant, and isn’t massively more expensive than a similar meat—laden dish, then what’s the problem? There isn’t one. They think there is, so why not just let them, and take the credit.

It’s romantic, but not obviously so. Anyone can give their restaurant the moniker ‘romantic’. Just throw some dim red lights, candlesticks, posh staff wardrobe, and silverware around and et voila. Maybe write stuff in French too. Nothing people can’t understand... ‘La Menu’ and ‘toilettes’, that kind of thing. Well, this place doesn’t have any of that. No red, no candles, no music even, waiting staff in there own clothes, God forbid! But it works. It feels romantic, but it feels like it’s special too. There aren’t many places that can do that.

Why You’ll Love It:

It’s cheap. Especially these kind of places that are great for dates. They know they can ramp up the price because of over eager men wanting to spend their way into their date’s knickers (the irony being these kind of men are often with the kinds of girls, not wearing any). It’s uncommon enough to find a quality vegetarian restaurant or even one that has an OK selection in town for under £10 a meal. But to find one that is Vegan is a true diamond in the rough of Soho cafes, pizzerias, and curry houses.

It’s fast. They don’t take bookings, so Friday or Saturday nights you may be waiting 30-40 min for a table, which isn’t bad when there’s a pub with side street drinking right next door. Midweek you can walk right in to a seat. Plus, once you order it’s about 20 minutes before it arrives. Perfect timing for the first conversational lull.

Why You’ll Both Love It:

The food. The ultimate reason you go to a restaurant (to eat). As well as the one part of the place that has the biggest part to play in any review. The food is wonderful. So much so, that the only downside is that it could possibly seem to be going badly, as you’re both far more involved in eating than you are with talking and getting to know one another. The advantage to this, is that good food, puts you in a good mood. And a good mood means you’re more likely to want to hit a bar afterwards, or even just a slow waltz down to the river now the temperature’s picking up (hopefully prophetically).

Recommendations

I don’t, but if you do, then the olive bowl is a good option to tuck into over drinks. Putting things into your mouth, and making your mouth move is always a good look (as long as you don’t eat like an ogre), as it puts focus on your lips and lets your date think about kissing you. It’ll give you something to do with your hands too, stopping you from getting too nervous and knocking her wine over into her hair or something.

The main course has to be the mushroom and ale pie, with chips and mushy peas… the home cooked British pea delicacy, the hand-cut perfectly sizzled chips, and flaky, yet buttery pastry surrounding and covered in tangy gravy. You’ll be making sex noises much sooner than you hoped. Or if that doesn’t take your fancy, perhaps have a look at what the Burger of the Day is. My favourite is Beetroot Burger. That’s always a safe bet. Or wildcard door number three could be sausages and mash. Not as special as the first two, but still highly recommendable.

Pudding. You’d have no taste buds if you thought you’d be better off not getting the white chocolate and pistachio cheescake. Apart from ‘A free house with every meal’ those must be the best collection of words on any menu, anywhere.

BEER SELECTION: Posh / organic beers, spirits, wines, juices, smoothies, virgin cocktails, coffees and teas. Whatever you want, you’ve got acres of choice. *****

COST OF A ROUND: Between £3-£4 for all the posh stuff. Two drinks and a side to start things off for less than £10. ****

STAFF: Smiley and friendly despite it often getting very busy. Always happy to bring extras. I’m a big tipper. ****

FOOD: Vegan, you get the points, but lose none of the taste. Best food I’ve eaten anywhere. Anywhere! Simple as that. *****

SKIRT RATIO: Well it’s a restaurant, so you’re not likely to get chatting to a page three model. But it’s a fantastic place to bring a Page thr… well a date anyhow. *****

OVERALL: If you’re going to go to a restaurant in London, go here, date or no date. No matter how many other places there are, given the choice, I’ll return again and again and again and... *****

Valentine’s Special: Mildreds - Soho - Brought to you by James Wormald -