Eat cheap but good!

Tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs? NO THANKS

Whilst living in one of the most vibrant cities in the world, it is hard not to got out to save a few quids. Plus if you’re a student like I am, you would know you’re often too tired to cook anything or simply have no skills whatsoever at it. And as much as I could say thousands of good reviews on various fast-foods like KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Wazzabi and so on -God knows they’re live-savers after a night out- there’re also a couple downsides that come in mind and I’m not only talking of the obvious health issues a regular consumption would cause. Hopefully, there’re alternatives: cheap restaurants! And you don’t even need to go far out London to find them. One of my favourite is in the very heart of the most touristic high street in the city: Oxford Circus, West End !

I present you VAPIANO!

As the noun may indicate it, it is an Italian restaurant - «one of the many in London», you may think, expect that in that one they actually cook everything from scratch. The concept is simple: when you come at the entrance, you receive a card that you really shouldn’t lose (£50 fine otherwise) with which you’ll credit all what you buy. Then you go find your own table. As downstairs is often packed, you may want to try upstairs though it is often as equally crowed. Once you have it, leave your coat on it so people know you own the territory, grab yourself a plater and queue for pizza’s or pasta.

If you order pizzas, it is very simple: you tell the cook the one you feel like eating and you get a cell phone he’ll ring you on to let you know that your order is ready. That way, you don’t need to wait hours standing in the line for it to cook in the oven. As I said, everything is done from the beginning. So not only do the pizzas need to be warmed up, but also do the chef have to actually make them with your required toppings. Rather wait at your table with a glass of your choice (they do offer free, cold, lime water if you opt for the «no unnecessary spendings» option).

If you order pasta however, you have to wait. Every cook does two plates at a time. Once you’ve chosen your type of pasta’s and toppings/sauce, the chef will boil the pasta’s whilst cooking the toppings/sauce fallowing your requirements. So don’t be scared to ask for some more garlic and very little chili (or anything else).

After diner, if you go for the whole treat, have a desert. Well no, don’t just have a desert, have a crema di fragola. DELICIOUS and refreshing!

Finally, on your way out, give your card and payment what’s credited.

Last time I went, I had a pizza, a glass of wine and a crema di fragola for £11.90. Impressive, hun?

Drop me a comment if you went. And if you intend to go, let me now as I might come along!

But for now, enjoy your meal!

Vapiano

19-21 Gt. Portland street

London W1W 8QB

+44 (0) 20 7268 0082

london1@vapiano.co.uk

LONG STORY SHORT

Vapiano, an Italian restaurant a few steps aways from Oxford circus station.

PLUS: very good, cooked from scratch, nice concept, affordable, there is no stupid tip (tipping in London is a big fat joke; once I had to tip more that what I actually ate for), it's a chain so there are others  

MINUS: noise, fine if you lose your card, often packed (3-)

Da crema di fragola !

It gets Ruben's approuval, and believe me, he knows about food !

FILM: LE FABULEUX DESTIN D'AMELIE POULAIN