They say smoking and drinking is bad for you, and it certainly didn’t work out too well for the guy in the baseball cap in the corner of Coal Vaults in Soho. Still, you’ve got to die of something, so why not make it of an excess of the good things in life at this secretive new spot? There’s plenty of eating, drinking and merry-making to be done before we look as bad as him.
The subterranean restaurant and bar has taken over a former coal store that was built in the early 19th Century on Wardour Street, and although a certain amount of prettying up was needed to make it an appetising place to eat, the Victorian brick remains and – along with the chunky dark wood – contributes to the appealing raw feel. The venue is comprised of five private dining vaults, a main eating area and the bar. The menu from consultant Magnus Reid and head chef James Knox Boothman focuses on small plate dishes, and each item is listed with an accompanying cocktail, which is a good excuse for seconds. Coal Vaults won’t be a secret for long, so get in there before they have to start locking people out.
