This week's Restaurant of the Week is one of my favourite London restaurants: Arbutus in Soho.
Anthony Demetre and Will Smith launched their first solo venture Arbutus on Frith Street in Soho in May 2006 and the restaurant became an instant hit with the critics.
With Smith in charge of front of house and Demetre behind the stove, Arbutus gained universal praise for its competitive pricing policy, excellent food and its casual, non-tablecloth approach to fine dining. It scooped up a string of awards for best new restaurant and received a coveted Michelin star in 2007.
The backbone of the success of Arbutus (and indeed sister restaurant Wild Honey) has been Demetre's ability to keep costs down in the kitchen by using cheaper ingredients yet still turn out above average cuisine.
Arbutus offers a three-course lunch menu at £15.50 as well as a pre-theatre menu priced £17.50, with a two course à la carte meal costing an average of £35 including wine.
Not bad for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The à la carte might feature starters such as smoked eel with beetroot and horseradish cream; squid and mackerel burger with parsley and razor clams; and braised pigs head with potato purée and ravioli of caramelised onions.
Mains include roast English veal braised in Madeira served with soft polenta; saddle of rabbit with broad beans and shoulder cottage pie; and pieds et paquets - lamb's tripe parcels and trotters with Charlotte potatoes.
The dessert menu features highlights such as a floating island with pink pralines and custard; cold chocolate fondant with chocolate wafer and almond milk sorbet; and raspberry and rum baba with Chantilly cream.
All wine at Arbutus is served by the glass, bottle and carafe, meaning diners don't have to spend the world on paring their meal with a choice of wine matching the high quality of the food.
Average spend £50 for three courses including drinks and service.
63-64 Frith Street, London W1D 3JW; Tel: 020 7734 4545
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