Vivat Bacchus… good restaurant experience that converts into word-of-mouth recommendation

Last week I learned that a second visit to a restaurant can be better than the first one.

As I approached Vivat Bacchus in London Bridge, it dawned on me that I had been there before, albeit more than a decade earlier.

If the truth be told, I had little to no recollection of the place and can’t quite understand how this can be because it’s great.

I must have had a lot going on the first time I darkened the door, too much for me to fully concentrate and take on board the experience.

Restaurant reviewing should be a fluid exercise but there are a lot of boxes that need ticking to form an overall view.

This time, my first impression of this South African outpost, was from my encounter with the enchanting Joy.

A more aptly named person, it would be more difficult to meet.

Without prompting, she waxed lyrical about her homeland and about the country’s love of hospitality.

“Back home, you end up making friends with the waitress and becoming Facebook friends,” she said.

I thought we got on well but to date no friend request has been received.

C’mon, Joy, don’t leave me hanging.

All jokes aside, I probably don’t have time for any more friends but what there is plenty of space for, is good restaurant experiences that convert into word-of-mouth recommendations.

I’m regularly asked the best place celebrate with husbands, best friends, mothers, sisters etc.

Vivat Bacchus has shot to the top of this list and for so many reasons.

For starters, a lunchtime set menu offering three courses for £22 in central London is a sight to behold.

Introduced as a steak restaurant and wine bar, the menu offers the diner so much more.

I had my heart set on two courses but ended up pushing the boat out to three, with a little encouragement from Joy.

Smoked trout, radicchio, fennel, grapefruit created a salad that suited alfresco dining perfectly.

The richness of fish against the palate-cleansing citrus flavour was much appreciated.

I rather liked the look of Mushroom and Beetroot frikkadel – a vegan ‘meatball’, too.

Other starters include Smoked Wagyu Carpaccio and Biltong Croquettes.

On a sweltering hot summer’s day, the cool breeze created by city skyscrapers, meant lunch on the terrace was the best place to dine.

Inside the restaurant was too cool from the constant air conditioning.

South African cuisine has a reputation for being heavy on red meat but my desire was for lighter dishes.

Seared Sea Bream, with grilled asparagus, pea puree and Apricot Glazed Spring Cabbage, with artichoke puree, and peri peri chickpeas were both considered.

Peri Peri Chicken Salad with Feta and rocket seemed most fitting. It turned out to be a good choice but any of the dishes on this innovative menu would have worked for me.

Exotic meat eaters will be pleased by the abundance of choices, including ostrich and crocodile.

Pudding was sold to me as a South African classic – Peppermint Crisp Tart – a dessert made from a chocolate bar once hugely popular throughout the country and Australasia.

Sweet as hell and downright naughty, a couple of mouthfuls were enough to see the dish was undersold to me.

It is one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever had and I’m not easily impressed or lured when it comes to sweet treats.

Vivat Bacchus
4 Hay’s Lane SE1 2HB.
www.vivatbacchus.co.uk/london-bridge/

 

 

Pictures: Great food and drink at Vivat Bacchus Pictures: Vivat Bacchus