Tendril – A (mostly) vegan kitchen

Tendril – A (mostly) vegan kitchen

Retro-chic restaurant dishing up vegan & vegetarian dishes, plus cocktails, beer & wine. We’re on a mission to showcase what’s possible in plant-first food. Currently serving relaxed, eclectic, feel-good food for everyone in our pop-up in Regent Street Neighbourhood

Working with the seasons and sourcing quality produce, we cook with flair, care and just the right level of technique. Unless we say so, all our dishes are vegan, but it’s our goal to satisfy even the most omnivorous guest. We serve both an a la carte menu and our ‘Discovery’ tasting menus. Perfect for fans and first timers alike.
Following his successful stint at Sun & 13 Cantons in Soho last year, chef Rishim Sachdeva is temporarily back in central London to serve a mostly vegan menu before moving pop-up Tendril to a more permanent home. Focused on fresh, seasonal produce and a plant-first philosophy, we can see why it garnered such a cult following among vegan and non-vegan diners. The pop-up is between the affluent Mayfair neighbourhood and the bustling Soho scene, although you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled as it can be easily missed – owing to its minimal exterior design comprising of a simple chalkboard sign on the pavement and the menu pegged by the entrance. The space is light and airy with accents of dark furnishings, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere amid the busy streets surrounding it. The menu is small but delivers a selection of fan favourites and new creations, alongside a mostly vegan wine list. We went for the seven-course tasting menu, reasonably priced at £39 per person, but you can also order dishes a la carte too. A noteworthy starter was the braised Jerusalem artichoke, prepared in two ways. The heart is lightly seasoned with oil, salt and chives allowing the natural flavours of the vegetable to take centre stage which is then nicely juxtaposed by the sharp smoky taste of the roasted shell. While the chipotle mushrooms paired with crispy potatoes and salsa verde left us craving for a second helping, the standout dish goes to the smoked beetroot ‘nduja placed on a crunchy blue corn tostada. The combination of spices with a hint of sweetness offered a flurry of textures and flavours that were unexpected but welcomed. The “Chinatown” purple potatoes dressed in a sticky soy sauce and sesame crackers are a must-try too. The chocolate tart is deeply rich and not overly sweet, making for the perfect pudding to close out the evening – but we hear the tiramisu is one not to miss either. Zahra Surya Darma