Rating: 6.5/10
Price: starters £6-12, mains £18-58
Price we paid: £50
Go there for: daily changing menu and buzzy atmosphere.
Location: Soho
Soho is definitely not easy to navigate at night, especially during the weekend, and especially if you are looking for quality food. 10 Greek Street, just steps away from Soho square, is one of those places you say “I would love to try it”, but then, as soon as you walk into the door, you hear: “First table available is in two hours”. Despite having worked for two years literally in front of the restaurant, I never managed to try it.
This time we got lucky: we are wandering around Soho on a Friday evening, and after giving up on trying to get a spot at Barrafina (two-hour wait) we try our luck at 10 Greek Street, and the answer we get is encouraging: table available within 30 minutes. After 15 minutes we get a text through the amazing app Qudini (allows you to queue without physically queuing) saying that our table is ready.
The place is small, very small. And the tables are packed, very packed. Even the thinnest person can’t squeeze between two tables. But overall the environment is cosy, and pleasant. The menu changes daily depending on produce availability and season, and on a February night this includes butternut squash, sea bass, burrata, cured meats. Not super seasonal, one might say. But I still like the idea of a changing menu.
We order a starter to share: butternut squash with gorgonzola and red cabbage. The portion is small, and gorgonzola is a bit too strong and chalky, but the squash is well cooked and seasoned. Best part of the dish is the fried sage: fresh and crispy.
For main we order lamb, a dish for two to share: last dish on the list of mains, and the most expensive one (£58!). Expectations are high. What comes is an extremely nicely cooked lamb rump, with a sort of Middle Eastern seasoning. Definitely enjoyable. Sides are baby roast potatoes and a tabuleh salad, both good accompaniment, but not to die for. What is surprising is the portion once again: when you pay £58 for a sharing main you expect more than three thin slices of lamb each. Disappointing.
Dessert was the worst course. Lemon tart with rhubarb came first: the tart was way too bitter and the pastry a bit soggy; the only good part of the dish was the rhubarb, soft and delicious. The second dessert was chocolate mousse with orange and pomegranate. This was a dish with no real idea behind it: the mousse had no texture and could be something bought from Tesco and plated, the oranges underneath (the only real seasonal ingredient on the menu!) absolutely tasteless, and the shop-bought dried amaretti crumbled on top not really necessary (quite a rookie touch in my opinion).
Overall, the dinner was pleasant and gets a “pass” rating. But definitely below expectations given how “famous” this small restaurant is. For £50 you can get much better in Soho.