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https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/sep/19/restaurateur-and-art-dealer-andrew-edmunds-dies-aged-79?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Harden's survey result
Summary
“If your date is going badly here, it’s not destined to be” at this “gorgeous”, candle-lit Soho townhouse – one of the capital’s prime destinations “for a tête-a-tête lunch or smoochy dinner”. “All bare wood, nooks, and snugs”, it is “very tightly packed” and down-to-earth and for its legions of fans captures “just what I want from a restaurant. OK, the setting could be more comfy, but it has a superb vibe”, “amenable” and “charming” service, and “British seasonal food with a twist” that’s not aiming for fireworks but which is “always reliable”. Crucially, all this is backed up by “a short wine selection that’s second to none and at absolutely outstanding prices”. Andrew Edmunds himself unexpectedly passed away in September 2022, but the business (now run by his family) “continues to honour his legacy”: “I’ve been coming here since the 90’s and I’m so glad the team have carried on without Andrew – the place goes from strength to strength”.
Summary
“The kind of place to bring your lover” – this “perfect”, “sweet” townhouse is an “old-favourite”, whose “cosy, panelled and candle-lit” setting is perennially nominated as one of London’s most romantic. Despite its “Dickensian” charm, it has an “idiosyncratic”, even “groovy” vibe, inspired by its long-term independent owner, whose shop dealing in antiquarian prints is next door (and pre-dates the restaurant, which opened in 1985, by about a decade). From a slightly “limited” menu, the “robust and honest” cuisine “isn’t going to win any innovation awards, but is very well-executed” and well-priced; and it moves with the times. “The real attraction is the superb wines at non-greedy prices” selected by Edmunds (“not as broad a list as Noble Rot but much more affordable”), which helps fuel its “decadent and sexy” appeal. Service can be “hard pressed” but is “so friendly”. Top Tip – the basement has its plus points, but the best seats are on the ground floor.
Summary
“Romance oozes out of the walls here!” at what is – for many Londoners – “the ultimate date- night venue”: a “very intimate” (“fantastic eavesdropping possibilities!”), “historic” Dickensian townhouse that’s “old-school Soho and very welcome for it”. The “simple food” is “well-priced”, but the unbeatable “attraction is the superb wine list that’s probably the best value in London”, with “gentle markups that lure you into some wonderful bottles at great prices”; “totally lovable” and “always a joy!”.
Summary
“Perfect for dîner à deux” – the “quaint”, “rustic and candle-lit” interior of this “Dickensian” Soho “staple” remains one of the capital’s most romantic destinations, and its long-term ownership by antique print dealer Andrew Edmunds gives it a “charming and unpretentious” style of a rare kind, and fostered by his “genial” staff. “Yes, it’s cramped” (“you squeeze in at a tiny table with lots of noise”) and the “honest” and “straightforward food” – though “perfectly decent” – avoids fireworks. As an overall experience, though, it offers “excellent value” particularly due to the owner’s collection of wine: “Andrew still makes other lists look a rip-off” with “prices not much more than retail” for some fine vintages and “ever changing additions to the blackboard that are a pleasure to explore”. The ground floor is the safest bet – by comparison the basement can appear “dull”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Andrew Edmunds?
46 Lexington Street, London, W1F 0LP
Restaurant details
Andrew Edmunds Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Nice wine list very fair priced, especially the older red ones."
"It’s lost its way. Excellent wine list but the food stumbles through and fails to keep up."
"Very nice wine list especially old but not overpriced red wines. Honest English kitchen "
"Good value"
"Ate in the basement and the restaurant was full - so the acoustics weren't great and the tables are tight. Food and presentation was as we were expecting - fresh - traditional english and well presented. Would go again i think. "
"Charmingly intimate Soho townhouse based restaurant with well selected menu pleasingly executed and with a judiciously priced wine list."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
46 Lexington Street, London, W1F 0LP
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 1 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
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