Recently I tried the new Bobby Chinn's restaurant, on Old Compton Street : House of Ho. It is according to what I read a Vietnamese restaurant with some American influence.
I had dinner there with a friend, our waitress explained to us their concept.
The concept is easy, you order dishes and they are made to be share on the tables, they come to the table when they are ready in no particular order.
If the quantity in the plate are fine, I don't usually have any problem with this concept.
We ordered 2 cocktails : The Flying Shiso Martini and The 'Ho'ggroni ', a bottle of wine and 8 courses and one jasmine rice .
Crab Pomelo, Vegetable Noodles, Mint, Lemon Oil & Crispy Vietnamese Crackers
To start my dinner I ate the Pho cuon fillet mignon, it was nicely presented on the plate, but I didn't think it has a lot of flavour. It also totally fall apart when I tried to dip in the sauce.
Pho Cuon Fillet Mignon
The first dish we shared was the Spicy salmon tartare, this dish was good but I though the chopped Pistachio, shiso, jicama and asian vinaigrette will add a vietnamese touch to the dish, but to me it was a classic traditionnal salmon tartare. I was a bit disappointed.
Spicy Salmon Tartare, Chopped Pistachio, Shiso, Jicama with Asian Vinaigrette
We had after BBQ Ribs and Chicken wings, both dishes had nothing exceptional, they were good but again I didn't feel the vietnamese touch in the seasoning.
BBQ Baby Back Ribs on a Light Asian Slaw
Grilled Chicken Wings, Spicy Chilli Glaze
Our favourite dishes of the night were The 'Shaking Beef' and the Chicken Potato curry.
When dishes arrived on the table we were a bit surprised by the quantity in the plate, for a £14 and £9 main course we were expecting something much bigger.
The beef was nice and very tender. The chicken potato curry is robably the only dish which makes me feel I was in a vietnamese restaurant.
The ‘Shaking Beef’, Grass-Fed, 21 day-aged Fillet
Chicken Potato Curry, Paddy Leaves and Crispy Shallots
The Lemon creme brûlée passed the spoon test with success ! I was pretty happy with this dish as the taste of lemon wasn't strong, the crème was light and the toffey on top as the perfect texture.
Lemon-Scented Creme Brulee
Overall the food was ok, all dishes were light, maybe too light.
They were nicely presented on the plate but I didn't get the feeling to be in a Vietnamese restaurant apart from one dish.
I was very unsatisfied by my £74 dinner for two, we went on one of their soft opening dinner during their first month in December, so we got 50% offer (only on food). Full price our dinner would have been £115.
After 7 courses I was still hungry.
If the concept is to share dishes on the table, I think they should put more food in the plate.
There is a saying which says: it is not the quantity which matters but the quality, in this case the quality of the food wasn't perfect too, I think all dishes need more seasoning, and a stronger Vietnamese touch!
The House of Ho
55-59 Old Compton Street
London W1D 6HW
Twitter: @HouseofHo
4/10
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