London- VQ; Cocktails At Dawn

A mad dash around London would tire anyone, on a good day, especially during the holidays. There is never enough time, you are always running late and running on empty. I was having one of those days when I went up to London recently to meet with a friend. We weren’t quite knuckled down for what to eat so we played it by ear, wondering around Chelsea, and happened upon VQ, a 24 hour eatery. The neon lighting did not sell me, but we took a chance.

When you walk in its almost like a dingy bar-restaurant type place, its small-ish, cosy and loud, not loud obnoxious, more loud fun. People having a good time, eating off a hangover, catching up and chilling out, good food would do that to you. VQ is that kind of place, unpretentious, by Chelsea’s standards, with its open plan kitchen and front house bar flowing with cocktail all day. My kind of place. Its the place where you go to chill with friends, if only for the good vibes.

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The menu is a wonderful mix of greasy goodness, pastas, burgers, salads, veggie options and 24 hour breakfast; the party crowd is well sorted. Hot dogs that burst in your mouth full of flavour, starters the wet your appetite, and desserts…my God dessert! I pretty much go gaga for sweet stuff, but the dessert options were scrumptious. My friend swears by the apple crumble which she had with vanilla ice cream. Its casual food, easy vibes, and cocktails. Good times.

My only gripe is that they need seriously extend that cocktail list otherwise its pretty cosy. I’d go again and again, if I lived in London this would be my go to place to eat.

VQ Bloomsbury; 111A Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NQ Nearest Tube stations: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street.

VQ Chelsea; 325 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QL Nearest Tube stations: Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Earls Court & Fulham Broadway.