Ivy’s £19.17 Menu: A Savvy Deal or a Hidden Trap?

Ivy Brasserie Victoria Unveils Nostalgic £19.17 Set Menu

In a surprising collaboration, YouTube personalities Joe (Joe Blogs) and Gary (Gary Stuff) met at The Ivy Brasserie in Victoria, London, to review the establishment’s special 1917 menu. This limited-time offering, priced at £19.17, aims to commemorate the opening of the original Ivy restaurant in Covent Garden over a century ago and encourage patronage during quieter periods. The menu provides two courses – either a starter and a main, or a main and a dessert – for the fixed price, a proposition that immediately caught the attention of the two content creators.

An Ambiance of Classic Elegance

Upon entering The Ivy Brasserie Victoria, Joe and Gary were struck by the restaurant’s sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance. “It’s quite posh in here, isn’t it?” remarked Gary, to which Joe agreed, noting the venue’s attempt to evoke a traditional, old-school British feel. They were seated by a window, offering a pleasant view of Victoria’s bustling street life. The interior design, with its “natty” seats and high ceilings, contributed to an atmosphere that was both lively and conducive to conversation, avoiding the oppressive noise often found in busy dining establishments.

Navigating the 1917 Menu: Choices and Expectations

The 1917 menu presents a curated selection, featuring five starters, six main courses, and five desserts. Diners can choose between a starter and a main, or a main and a dessert. Joe opted for a main and dessert, selecting the sweet potato and spinach curry with tender stem broccoli, sunblush tomatoes, lemongrass, coconut milk, chili, crispy lotus root, and aromatic rice. For dessert, he chose the signature Chocolate Bomb, which incurred an additional £2.95 charge. Gary, a self-proclaimed lover of pasta and truffle, selected the foraged wild mushroom and truffle linguini, and for dessert, the classic crème brûlée.

Both chosen main courses were vegetarian, a detail noted by Joe. “It’s interesting. So, we’ll go for that,” he commented. Gary expressed his preference for the crème brûlée, a dessert he has enjoyed on previous visits to The Ivy, describing it as “top end.”

“So, basically, you only pay £19.17. That sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?” Joe questioned, to which Gary enthusiastically replied, “That’s a bargain.”

Tasting Notes: Mains Deliver on Flavor and Quality

The main courses arrived, and both reviewers were impressed. Joe described his sweet potato and spinach curry as “fantastic” with an “amazing” aroma. He praised the tender stem broccoli for being perfectly cooked al dente and the sweet potato for being soft yet retaining its integrity, melting in the mouth with absorbed flavor. “It’s a really good dish. Really pleased with that,” Joe concluded.

Gary’s foraged wild mushroom and truffle linguini also received high marks. He appreciated the moderate amount of sauce, which he felt allowed the pasta’s quality to shine. “The star here is definitely the mushroom and that’s superb to me,” Gary stated, noting the delicate yet rich sauce and the perfectly cooked, possibly fresh, pasta. He lauded the restrained use of truffle, allowing the mushroom to be the hero.

A brief tasting of the seabream, which was part of the cameraman’s meal, highlighted the kitchen’s skill. The fish was noted for its crispy skin and succulent flesh, complemented by a rich, buttery sauce described as akin to a thick beurre blanc with tarragon.

Desserts: A Spectacle and a Classic

The dessert course offered a contrast between theatrical presentation and timeless execution. Joe’s Chocolate Bomb, the restaurant’s signature dessert, was a visual spectacle. A chocolate sphere collapsed dramatically as hot caramel sauce was poured over it, revealing ice cream within, all served on a bed of foam. Joe found it “amazing,” a “talking point of the meal,” and appreciated the combination of chocolate, ice cream, honeycomb, and light foam, noting it was satisfyingly not too heavy.

Gary’s crème brûlée was, by his own admission, a dish he is “very picky” about. However, The Ivy’s rendition met his high standards. He praised the “very well judged cream,” its silky smooth texture, the hint of vanilla, and the perfectly caramelized sugar crust. “The sugar on the top that’s been blowtorrched or probably put under the grill nice and thin but cooked just enough so it’s bitter but not burnt and that was a really nice sort of foil to the sweetness of the cream,” he explained.

“Presentation is everything with the desserts. This gives me a good indication of the stand of a restaurant. When I go somewhere, I like to see how good the desserts are because that’s when the chef can really put a little bit of flare. You come up with something that’s like you haven’t had before, like the talking point of the meal.”

The Verdict: Value for Money and Overall Experience

At the end of the meal, the bill was scrutinized. The total for the three diners (including the cameraman) came to £68.62, which breaks down to approximately £22.87 each. This included the £19.17 set menu for two courses, the £2.95 supplement for the Chocolate Bomb, and an automatic 13.5% service charge. Both Joe and Gary agreed that the 1917 menu represents excellent value, particularly for its location in Victoria.

“I have to say in this part of town in London is an absolute steal,” Joe stated. “If you’re looking to eat anywhere around here, even if it’s a sandwich shop, you know, you’d be lucky to get away with 20 quid for your lunch. So, it is a really good deal.”

On a scale of 1 to 10, Joe and Gary awarded The Ivy Brasserie Victoria’s 1917 menu experience a solid 8 out of 10. They highlighted the quality of the food, the generous portions, the good service, and the pleasant atmosphere. Gary specifically commended the kitchen for not cutting corners on ingredients or quality, even with a fixed-price menu.

A Special Birthday Treat

As a bonus, it was revealed that Gary’s birthday fell during the week of the visit. The restaurant provided a complimentary small birthday dessert, a gesture that added a personal touch to the dining experience. This included a chocolate mousse base, ice cream, and a chocolate biscuit, which Gary described as “a little extra free. Bit of fun.”

Looking Ahead: Is the 1917 Menu Worth It?

The Ivy’s 1917 menu appears to be a well-executed initiative, offering a taste of the brasserie’s quality and ambiance at an accessible price point. While the menu is restricted, the choices provided are varied and appealing, and the execution of the dishes met high standards. For those seeking a sophisticated yet affordable dining experience in a prime London location, this special menu is a compelling option. It’s advisable to check The Ivy’s website or contact individual branches for availability, as it is not offered at all locations.

Source: The Ivy £19.17 Menu – Deal or Scam? (YouTube)