We were waiting for a friend in Fitzrovia, so we decided to pop into the Rovi Restaurant for lunch. Knowing that the focus is on vegetarian food and being fans of Ottolenghi food, we were looking forward to the Middle Eastern/Mediterranean menu. We weren’t disappointed and left feeling stuffed yet thoroughly satisfied. Rovi is a must-visit restaurant if you want the best places for lunch in W1, dinner in Fitzrovia or Ottolenghi restaurants in London.
“If you love Ottolenghi’s food and are partial to vegetable dishes, you’re in for a treat at Rovi. You’ll enjoy the flavoursome fire-cooked rustic style food, which you can watch being cooked in the open kitchen,” Homegirl London.
Rovi Restaurant Lunch and Dinner Menu
As I’ve said, the menu is mainly vegetarian, so I was super happy! The focus is on fermentation and cooking over fire. We were seated right next to where the fire cooking takes place, which I was initially grateful for because it was a grey rainy London day. However, fast forward ten minutes, I broke out in a sweat and had to shed a few layers of clothing.
We over-ordered from the menu, but everything was delectable, so nothing went to waste. I recommend you wear trousers with an elastic waistband, and then you can pile in another few plates of heavenly-tasting food. Since our visit a few weeks back, the menu has changed slightly, so do check before your visit. I should have gotten my finger out sooner and written up my article, but I’ve been looking at puppies, and that’s taken up more time than I care to admit! Okay, I’m digressing; back to the menu.
On recommendation, we ordered the Grilled Hot Tomatoes, which were bursting with juice and flavour. It went bursting over my T-shirt but don’t let that stop you from trying them! The vine tomatoes are presented on a Yoghurt base with Urfa Chilli, Oregano and a few slices of rustic Bread.
Other items from the Small Plates included Celeriac Shawarma, another incredible dish. The Celeriac was inside a petite Pita with Bkeila spinach cooked in oil for hours, so it is a dark green, almost black colour.
I enjoyed the Courgette Borani with Goat’s Yoghurt and Smoked Harissa Oil. They vanished rather quickly.
Who knew that Potatoes could taste so amazing? The Crispy Pink Fir Potatoes with Toum Sauce and Ancho Oil were memorable for all the right reasons.
The star of the show was our Jerusalem Mixed Grill from the Main Plates section. It was an upmarket Mezza with a hefty helping of Mushrooms, Baharat Onions, Pickles, Pita and Tahini.
If you do want to eat fish, the Small Plate options will be along the lines of Grilled Mackerel or Octopus. Beef Carpaccio or Press Lamb Shoulder Small Plates and Rump Steak Mains are Meat options. Those will have Middle Eastern and Med spices and ingredients to create an exciting dish.
We didn’t dare look at the Dessert menu because we were too full. Cherry and Chocolate Fondant, Sesame Macaron and Fennel Meringue are some delights you can expect.
Small Plates cost £13.50-17 for Vegetables and £16-23 for Meat and Fish. Mains are £19.50-42, and Desserts cost £9.50-11.50. Check out the Cocktails and the extensive Wine list if you are celebrating or the client is paying!
Watch My Rovi Restaurant Video
Helpful Information About The Rovi Restaurant
To find out more, visit the Rovi Website. The address is 53 Wells Street, London W1A 3AE. Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road are the closest stations. Please check the website for current lunch and dinner opening times. It’s a spacious restaurant seating ninety people with a central bar and open kitchen towards the back. It’s frequented by businesspeople having lunch meetings with their clients. If you want a more relaxed experience, I’d recommend going in the evening when people aren’t talking in acronyms or business jargon!
If you want to explore the area further, please read my Ten Things To Do In Soho article.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about restaurants where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as restaurant standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the restaurant is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
