Tibits London Review
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Tasteless, boring, dry, joyless rabbit food...I’m scraping the barrel a bit here, but try suggesting a vegetarian restaurant to a carnivorous friend and you’ll be met with about as much interest as if you’d suggested counting trees in Regent’s Park. The cuisine has come a long way since the days when veggie options consisted of either a cheese and onion sandwich or a cheese salad. Despite this, my friend displayed much of these apprehensions when I advised him we were heading to Tibits for dinner recently; but not wanting to turn down a free meal and my excellent company, he came along anyway.
Tucked away on the courtyard-esque Heddon Street, away from the hustle and bustle of Regent’s Street and nearby Oxford Circus, this laid back vegetarian restaurant, bar and take-away was a surprise hit.
Launched last year in association with Zurich-based Hiltl – famous for being the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant - Tibits is a smallish, simple-but-cosy, semi self-service place. You’ll either love the freedom of this buffet-style concept, or if you prefer a full Michelin approach, well you’ll probably never visit anyway. Big mistake!
We were met by waitress Lydia who talked us through the process: in short, pick and choose however much you fancy from a choice of over forty different original and wonderful, hot and cold buffet dishes; take your choices to be weighed at the bar while you order drinks; pay up to £2 per 100g. Everything is freshly prepared on the premises using seasonal ingredients to create a selection of Asian, Indian and Mediterranean inspired dishes.
Explanation over – I wasn’t entirely convinced yet either - and we were invited to choose our seat. Bonus point number one, there’s nothing worse than being seated at a table in full view of the lovely table in the corner you’d prefer, or worse still next to the toilets. I spot a lovely candlelight table in the corner and we settle there, perfect for people watching. The hooks next to each seated area for hanging coats and bags are also a nice touch and save you from having to hunt for them on your way out.
We shyly headed to the buffet, chose a small dish and set about selecting a few things to start. This was when we were won over; there’s such a vast choice of original recipes on offer that I couldn’t wait to try: Quinoa Vegetable Tartar, Power Green Salad (edamame, sugar snaps, harissa sauce), Artichokes with Orange Marinade, Glazed Chestnuts, to name a few. In fact, if I had to choose just one menu option, well I just couldn’t. It was the same when we went up for our mains. We individually sampled a small portion of about 7 different things, including: pumpkin stroganoff; mango curry – described by my friend as ‘outstanding’; breaded whole jalapenos with sour cream; falafel – and not the dry stuff you normally get, either; and, creamy mushroom risotto. All delivered a taste and texture punch that wiped the floor with many meat dishes I’ve tried before. My friend - the one who normally goes for the steak or duck options - was completely won over and suggested a revisit sometime soon as he supped on his draft organic lager.
We were surrounded by tables of twos, all happily enjoying the relaxed concept of this small place, floor to ceiling glass windows and clean layout lending to the illusion of a much bigger space. There’s no waiting around to place an order, to receive your food or to ask for the bill, so you’re completely in control of your visit. We decided to make it a leisurely eve, but the freedom to eat as little or as much as you like, anyway you like, means that you could drop by for just a starter and glass of wine - or dessert and coffee if you’d prefer - making it perfect for a mid shopping spree respite, pre-theatre bite or lunch meeting.
Talking of dessert, the cheesecake – made with saintly walnuts and mascarpone – was immense. It looked like a sort of flat Yorkshire pudding, but it’s by far the creamiest, most delicious one I’ve ever tried. I only had a small taste, though. The lack of aesthetics meant that I smirked while my friend chose it. I, meanwhile, scooped up some of the much prettier tiramisu, my usual favourite, which was also very tasty and definitely one of the best.
We left feeling full and happy, basking in the placebo effect of tucking into all those healthy ingredients rather than the guilt brought on by the usual three-course calorie and cash blow out. Despite my raving review though, there’ll undoubtedly be lots of people unwilling to sacrifice a steak dinner for a, shock horror, meat-free menu. I can’t guarantee you’ll get as much joy from other vegetarian haunts, but not giving Tibits a go just once would be, as I said before, a big mistake.
Gabrielle Sander (14 10 2009)
Customer Reviews for Tibits
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Tibits.
“Vegetarians generally get a bum deal when it comes to eating out, but this restaurant is brilliant. Really reasonable and very, very tasty. Recommended and that's from a meat eater!”
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mary, Camden (10 months 16 days ago)
“This Swiss inspired chic salad bar is new generation Cranks and probably where Cranks would be now had they not suffered in the hands of Nando's owners.
Unlike the salad bars at Fresh and Wild and Wholefood Market there is a limit on the plate price so you are spared the shock to your debit card if you have overdone the heavy herb potatoes dishes, pasta and spiced rice dishes.
Tibit's dishes are in any case far more inspired and titilating on the taste buds.
Tibits healthiness is subtle and understated and they avoid all that pompous organic worthiness and self righteousnes that many lesser places use to try to make you forgive the culinary amateurishness of their dishes.
All in all this is a comfortable place to eat where you are just as likely to find a besuited hedge fund manager fighting to save his career as you would a bohemian looking hard core vegan recording artist or celebrity.
The food is a definate step upward without being pretentiious and expensive.
I have no hesitation in recommending Tibits as a healthy lunchtime or pre theatre solution to clients at our Harley Street Nutrition clinic.
Yvonne.”
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Yvonne Bishop-Weston - Nutritionist, London (1 years 5 months 21 days ago)
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