London Dining Review: Firebird in Soho

Firebird is the perfect spot for a post-shopping meal in Soho. It’s ideal for occasional catch-ups with friends or a romantic dinner, but it’s not the kind of place you'd visit regularly due to its average value for money. 🍽️ This time, I tried their Valentine’s Day set menu, which included four courses—snacks, appetizers, mains, and desserts—plus optional sides. The menu is also available à la carte. Each course offered a choice of three dishes. For the snacks, I chose foie gras cream on tiny biscuits topped with small grapes. They were only about the size of two of my fingers 😅—a bit like Sun Wukong eating fairy peaches. While delicious, the portion was more about the experience. The foie gras had a crunchy peanut texture with crispy bread, and the tiny grape on top added a 1% touch of freshness. 🍇 The appetizers included scallops, lamb chops, and tomatoes. For meat lovers, the lamb chops were a must-try! They were incredibly juicy and had a delicious, aromatic sauce. The lamb was flavorful but not gamey, and the meat was so tender it could easily be a main course. 🍖 The other appetizer was citrus-caviar scallops, which combined a refreshing fruity burst with the briny sweetness of scallops and the tanginess of blood oranges. It was visually stunning and tasty, but I still preferred the hearty lamb chops! 🦪 For the mains, there were two meat options: oxtail and red snapper. The oxtail was perfectly cooked, with a beautiful pink center and a crispy exterior. The black pepper cheese sauce was amazing—I could eat it with just a big piece of bread! The only downside was that the ends of the steak were slightly burnt, which wasn’t great for my sensitive teeth. 🥩 The red snapper looked impressive but was actually filleted and laid flat. It had a crispy, golden skin with a tender interior and tasted great with the steak sauce. However, the accompanying chickpea purée was a bit bland, so I’d recommend the oxtail. 🐟 I also added two sides: a lettuce salad and buttered baby potatoes. The potatoes had a Spanish tapas vibe, with a flavorful sauce and delicious skins. The salad was Italian-style, with tangy tomato puree that was very refreshing. If you don’t like sour flavors, skip this one. 🥬🥔 For dessert, there were white chocolate tiramisu and blood orange sorbet with meringue. Beware of the meringue—it was way too sweet for me. The sorbet was extremely tart, while the meringue was overly sweet, making for a very unbalanced dessert. 🍓 Thankfully, the tiramisu was a saving grace. It was soft and satisfying, with a pleasant texture and chunks of white chocolate. The sweetness was just right, though it could get a bit cloying if you ate too much. 🥣 Overall, Firebird offers a decent dining experience with some pleasant surprises. The ambiance and service were great, and the lamb chops and steak were delicious. However, the desserts were a bit underwhelming, and the value for money is average. 💰 Valentine’s Day set menu: £65 per person + 13.5% service charge + two extra sides. Average spend: £60-70. #LondonDateRestaurant #LondonFoodie #LondonRestaurant