Taking its lead from the nearby designer label stores, Vendome is a chic retreat designed for comfort and intimacy. The emphasis is firmly on style, although the cocktails live up to the glamorous surroundings admirably.

The Venue
Located on Walton Street, Vendome is a five-ten minute walk from South Kensington tube station, surrounded by upmarket restaurants, art galleries and chi-chi boutiques. Easily located thanks to its large black signage, once inside the monochrome theme continues, although interest is added with flashes of hot pink. Featuring white ostrich-leather booths, pretty wallpaper, a long bar along the right hand side of the room and Swarovski crystal light fittings, the overall feel is of glamour and quality.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Vendome is relaxed but glamorous with suited and booted City boys and cocktail dress wearing Sloaney girls. The crowd is mostly South Kensington and Knightsbridge locals, dressed to the nines, working the room. Much of the crowd are regulars who know each other, but it’s friendly and welcoming and you’re bound to strike up conversation quickly at the bar.

The bar staff are friendly enough, too, although they could do with being better trained to offer recommendations from the cocktail list, and the door staff can be unwelcoming and surly later in the evening.

The Food
Vendome offers a short but appealing sushi menu, with fun names such as Queen Green and I Hate Sushi. Queen Green consists of sesame and bean rolls for £6.95, there’s classic tuna and salmon sushi for £10.95, and the £11.95 Health and Happiness offers salmon and tuna sushi, salmon sashimi, spicy tuna rolls and various maki rolls.

The Drink
Even more tempting than the sushi are the perfectly executed and unusual cocktails. You can plump for an old standard such as a Cosmopolitan if you must, and it certainly won’t disappoint, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t try a Green Destiny, which is made up of Zubrowka vodka, kiwi, cucumber, sugar and apple juice. The cucumber gives it an intensely fresh and light flavour, and is keenly priced given the Knightsbridge locale at just £7.50, particularly given the large and strong measures.

The Last Word
Vendome is supremely stylish, but with real substance to back it up with fresh sushi, and imaginative and fairly priced cocktails. A welcome addition to the South Kensington and Knightsbridge scene, it’s worth the trip if you’re not lucky enough to live in SW3!

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