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CLOSED: Orchard
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2
Closed
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Vegetarian
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Take-out
British
A small, rustic-looking vegetarian kitchen and grocery in an Edwardian arcade just off Holborn. The arcade itself opened in 1910 as one of the first places in London you could sit outside and have a coffee. Reported closed to HappyCow.
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Last update on 23 May 2015 by Guest
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Added by s_k_ on 08 Apr 2012
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6 Reviews
First Review by s_k_
gin_and_tonic
Points +92
Not bad - Edit
I went here the other evening. Just 5 mins away from the British Museum, situated in a nice little pedestrianized street. Stylish décor, as well as outside seating. A good place to spend a sunny day.
Read moreI ordered the asparagus, peas and poached duck egg, with the kohlrabi and apple salad. But instead of the kohlrabi, they bought bok choy with pink peppercorns. I didn’t say anything, as 1) I’m British and 2) I was considering the bok-choy anyway. The place wasn’t busy, there were only a few people in there, so not certain why that happened.
The asparagus and peas, were cool and not cold, which is good. The peas with a slight lemon zing to them. The poached duck eggs, were warm, not hot. To be honest I was expecting this to be a warm dish, but it worked as a salad. The peas being especially plump, with pea shoots to garnish.
The bok choy, on the other hand, was a bit bland, just with oil and the pink pepper corns. I was expecting an interesting dressing or some other twist. Having been to Vanilla Black a few times, I know what they can do, but that magic was lacking.
There was no bread or condiments, chilli, lemon, herbs etc. Nothing 'above and beyond'. They could try a a bit harder and it wouldn't bump up the cost, but it would add to the experience.
Overall it’s a good place, in a good location. I’ll probably go back and try some of their other offerings. It was just a pity that it was let down, by poor service and a bland dish. (If they had brought me something tasty and exciting by mistake, rather than something less so, I would be much happier. But such is life.)
Pros: Interesting food, Good location, Fast service
Cons: Mistaken order, Bland dish, Expensive
Guest
Dougie
Points +49
Nice spot for lunch - Edit
The soup and sandwich deal is very good value with interesting sandwich options e.g. smoked egg mayo. Cauliflower soup was delicious. Staff are very friendly and service is quick.
Read morePros: Interesting sandwich options, Friendly staff, Nice range of teas
Cons: Tables downstairs by kitchen - avoid
Guest
CLRtraveller
Points +9274
tasty dishes but needs more vegan items - Edit
A few vegan items but mostly lacto-ovo vegetarian. Portions are small, but the two savoury items I had were really tasty: smoky cauliflower on mashed potatoes with parsley and cucumber ketchup ₤6.50; and truffled savoy cabbage and spring onions ₤4.
Read moreAlso on the menu were: marmite jacket potato; baby spinach and forced rhubarb with pink peppercorn dressing ₤4; breakfasts of organic eggs or roasted oat porridge; cakes and desserts ₤1.95-5.95.
Suggestion to them: if there is only one soup, make it vegan (vegan soups are very easy to make). It would be better to offer more vegan items, so both vegans and vegetarians could eat them.
Pros: tasty, imaginative dishes
Cons: not enough vegan items
Guest
LindaFern
Points +52
vegans, don't bother - Edit
Very little on the menu for vegans, my husband and I both ordered the truffle potato with refried beans and my son had the only other vegan option, the omnipresent hummus sandwich. The potato was literally a baked potato with truffle oil and fried beans on top.
Read moreLondon chefs, please learn how to cook vegan, you are boring me!!!!
Protein, wherefore out thou, protein? Do we really have to ONLY eat vegetables and starches because we quit meat.
That said, the meal was fine but nothing I couldn't have whipped up myself at home in a few minutes.
Lovely staff.
No vegan desserts!
Pros: nice space, lovely staff
Cons: boring food
Guest
Ruru
Points +51
Tasty treats & reasonable prices - Edit
Quaint, rustic yet with a pleasant airy atmosphere. There were only around six or seven tables inside. Our meal was enhanced by the happy-go-lucky vibe given off by the serving staff as they served us tap water in tin cups, as though on a camping trip.
Read moreThe homemade (?) bread looked and tasted great; mine was walnut. Customers can order bread in advance by writing their name on a scrap of brown paper on the wall.
The menu was easily sufficient for a cafe, and there were a couple of vegan dishes on the menu. My field mushroom and tarragon faux pate sandwich, however, was a step too far in what I think of as the 'experimental' direction of vegetarian food. It tasted bizarre, to be frank, and I regret having to force it down.
A friend ordered smokey beans on baked potatoes, which looked gorgeous and came with three of the day's salads on the side; another went for creamy baked potato soup with truffle oil, which unfortunately was not such a hit. The portion was generous, but it was extremely rich and heavy, so the benefits of a decent bowl size were wasted.
To remove the unpleasant memory of my sandwich I picked up a dessert on the way out: a beautiful chocolate cookie pie, or perhaps it was a macaroon of sorts. Call it what you will; either way, it was soft and delicious.
The damage was around £6; not bad for a pleasant lunchtime experience in Holborn. I'd gladly go again.
Pros: Good atmosphere, Good value, Healthy cuisine
Guest
s_k_
Points +616
Delicate yet filling - Edit
Orchard is a lovely little place. The food is carefully prepared,
Read moredelicious, and filling. The slightly rustic decor matches the food
exceptionally well. The location is also terrific, in a quiet spot
right in the heart of London (two minutes from Holborn tube).
Pros: well-crafted, lovely setting, not too expensive
Cons: small selection
Guest
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