Flavour Bast*rd has now been open for a good few months actually so I guess in London time it’s not actually that new. Either way it is new to us as we’d been meaning to make a trip since it opened back in September in the heart of Soho and we’re glad we finally made it.
As we walk in, we admire the decor which has been overseen by award-winning branding and interior design studio AfroditiKrassa and it is oh so cool, just what one would expect for a restaurant with such a bold name. We’d read somewhere the restaurant’s interior was inspired by the sculptures and work of Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, and that the concept, just like its food and overall ethos, has abstracted any references to its worldly roots, taking creative licence instead through it’s unique interpretation.
Founded by restaurateur Vic Singh with Pratap Chahal, founder of That Hungry Chef as executive chef, Flavour Bast*rd is well, just as its name suggests on a mission to bastardise what we think and know about flavours and fusions, taking it to a whole new level.
Pratap Chahal, created the menu and has split into tiny and small plates designed to be shared between friends and reflect Flavour Bast*rd’s cuisine-agnostic roots, which take inspiration from different cuisines and cultures. This not surprisingly is obvious in the majority of dishes we ordered (we’re advised to order six between the two of us) and upon our waiter Nicholas’ recommendation we go with six plus two tiny plates.
Our chosen selection included White lentil, chorizo & pecorino doughnut and deep-fried feta, walnuts, honey & mint from the tiny plates. From the small plates; miso & mango glazed aubergine with peanut crumble, clouds of curds with gram confetti, mint relish & guindilla chilli, Tandoori fried chicken Dingley Dell pork belly with cinnamon & pepper, bacon jam, pickled carrot and the spiciest Caribbean-style mussels (with Jerk spices, rum & scotch bonnet), we’ve ever tasted!
Food highlights were Dingley Dell pork belly for me and for my plus one, the Caribbean-style mussels and Tandoori fried chicken – she loves a spicy kick and both of the dishes definitely had that. The Clouds of curds is interesting and worth a try, and the aubergine is a lovely take on the Japanese favourite.
Dessert was necessary to cool our mouth after said spices so we opted for the Ginger-polenta cake, sea buckthorn curd, coriander ice cream and the Churro & white chocolate & pecan praline ice cream. Have to admit both of these were much nicer than expected. The Ginger Polenta wasn’t something I would normally order but I’m glad my plus one did – it really was delicious and the flavour combinations a very pleasant surprise.
What we loved about this place is that there’s no rules and flavours you wouldn’t think to put together actually work. The price point is pretty decent too. Flavour Bast*ard is causing a rebellion to Soho’s exciting food scene as well as our tastebuds and we kinda like it…
Flavour Bast*ard, 63-64 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 3JW
T 020 7734 4545
