NOPI — Restaurant in London

I have all of Ottolenghi's cooking books and I think he's one of the best chefs in the world. 7 years ago we visited NOPI and enjoyed it so much. It was fantastic and this was the reason why we came back. Due to lockdown and other reasons we could not come earlier. The staff is really friendly and helpful

This was the foreword.

Our visit on Dec.12th was a pure disappointment. Last time we sat downstairs, which we enjoyed, this time on the groundfloor, a noisy place with the atmosphere of a fast food location. A poor staff who has to work in such a noisy environment. Last time the menue offered crispy salads this time the greens were poorly accompaining some of the dishes. The nibbles were ok, average. The bread crust was not crispy at all and everything a bit chewy. You should change the baker or not let rest the bread too long in humid air. The courses brussel sprouts (good), blue cheese souffle (average, far too sweet in some parts, killing the blue cheese taste), the pork belly and the ox tongue were served at the same time. The latter two dishes were luke warm. We told the (very friendly) waitress/waiter to send it back because of the temperature. It was not something pleasent to eat. They took it back and we got a hot pork belly and again a luke warm tongue. We did not complain anymore because we saw the kitchen was probably too busy to react. Anyhow the pork belly was a desaster - only fat and nothing else. Having eaten many pork bellies in my life, I know it should be something special - a melting delight in the mouth and the crackling should be beautiful brown, crispy and a texture adventure. Not something pale, hard and with a chewy finish. The accompaining sauce tasted like convenience sauce - I'm sure it wasn't but it tasted like that - quite an art to do it the other way round. A tongue can be luke warm but then it should be served e.g. on hot lentils or a crispy salad and not with greasy potato straw and some lettuce leaves. Because the staff was really friendly we did not want to complain again because we already knew we won't come again. The overall atmosphere was more 'come, eat, leave and be glad you got a table at NOPIs' and not 'enjoy your evening, relax and try to concentrate on your meal with all your senses'. Maybe people think 'if I do not like something of Ottolenghi's cuisine, it's because I have a bad taste or I do not know how to enjoy it' or the people simply accept what they got, how they got and where they got it. Or 'I pay a lot, the restaurant is booked out all the time - it can't be bad'. I'm sorry but things like this should not happen in such a restaurant. Of course there can be good days and less good days. But this time we saw, analizing the whole concept, that this was not a bad day, it was the basic structure of the restaurant. The next day we went to another star rated restaurant and we had a fantastic evening with fantastic food in a very comfortable and not dezibel filled atmosphere. Sorry. Volkmar Pamer,...

A Pleasurable Dining Experience at Nopi - A Solid Four-Star Affair!

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Nopi, a renowned restaurant located in London, and overall, it was a delightful experience that left a positive impression. While it didn't quite reach the pinnacle of perfection, there were several notable aspects that made the visit worthwhile.

Let's start with the food. Nopi offers a diverse menu of culinary delights, blending Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors in creative and unique ways. The dishes were skillfully prepared and presented with an artistic touch. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, showcasing a harmonious balance of spices and textures. While the portion sizes were on the smaller side, they were well-executed and left me feeling satisfied.

The cocktail selection at Nopi, although limited in terms of variety, still managed to impress. The cocktail I ordered was expertly crafted, showcasing a delicate blend of flavors that complemented my meal. However, I would have appreciated a broader range of options to cater to different preferences and the amount of ice in the cocktail was disappointing.

One area where Nopi truly excelled was in its service. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening. They were well-versed in the menu, offering recommendations and answering any questions we had. The service was prompt and efficient, ensuring that our dining experience flowed smoothly from start to finish.

The ambiance of Nopi is chic and contemporary, with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. The stylish decor and dim lighting added to the overall charm of the restaurant, creating an intimate setting for a memorable evening. The only downside was that the seating arrangements felt a bit cramped, which detracted slightly from the overall comfort.

While Nopi undoubtedly offers a remarkable dining experience, there were a few areas that prevented me from giving it a full five-star rating. Firstly, the limited cocktail selection was a minor letdown. Secondly, the portion sizes, while beautifully executed, may not be ideal for those with heartier appetites. Lastly, the slightly cramped seating arrangements took away from the otherwise enjoyable ambiance.

In conclusion, Nopi is a restaurant that delivers an excellent dining experience. With its tantalizing menu, skillfully prepared dishes, attentive service, and stylish ambiance, it certainly deserves a solid four-star rating. If you're looking for a gastronomic adventure with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, Nopi is well...

NOPI is a big NOPE from me. Our friend had a voucher to use at one of the locations but we chose this one simply because it was the closest to us.

Welcome/greeting: friendly staff up front, professional. A couple in front of us had booked a table but for the wrong day. NOPI accommodated them which was great to see.

Where my 2-stars comes from is the service AFTER we were seated.

** Our Server was basically there to take orders. No recommendations or ability to answer questions about the menu. "Next?" "Next?" was all we heard as we made our orders.

** I asked for my vegetable to be part of my dinner as I was planning to have it AS my dinner. It arrived with the bread.

** We were never offered another beverage. Our group each ordered a cocktail and finished it right before dinner arrived. No offer of another and we didn't see our server for a while to be able to ask.

** No one checked on us to see how our meals were (or offer another beverage). A manager was roaming the floor and looked helpful, we just didn't get a visit. I probably would have told him every bite of my sea bass had a bone in it. Michelin star chef but I'm picking bones throughout my meal.

** We asked to see the dessert menu... again, no recommendations. He came back to see if we wanted something (which we decided not to) and then quickly took our menus.

** Time for the check! This was when the manager came over because we had a voucher. He asked how our meal was. My friend hesitated in his response to which the manager said "Oh, there was a hesitation there." That's it. One would think that the next question from him should be "What can we do to improve?" Or even "What was the reason for the hesitation?"

Bonus note: Bathrooms were very interesting... if you like those fun mirrors at the carnival. I'm not sure how I would access them if I was in a wheelchair, however.

In the end, we will never return and I would not recommend this location to anyone. I hope the service improves because the food was okay (minus the fish bones). Too many other options in the area so I would recommend...