Putting with swish in Swiss, Helen Wilcock visits Heritage in Soho for a night of gourmet gut-busting cuisine
London can be the most delicious kind of limbo. It’s a city where you can sample cuisines from around the world – and not once will you need to step on a plane or fit all your worldly belongings into carry-on luggage.
Despite all this, a Swiss restaurant is not what you would expect to find in the heart of buzzing, slightly dusty Soho.
Described as the first high-end Swiss-inspired restaurant in London, Heritage celebrates traditional dishes with only the best ingredients. I try it for myself, no skis attached.
The Venue
Situated just a short walk from both Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, Heritage is hidden away from the garish tourist restaurants that beam at passers by with loud signs and flashing displays.
The interiors are beautifully designed with a large open bar taking centre stage. The space is a cross between industrial design – think exposed brick walls and dark metals -and the feel of a ski lodge, with a clever use of wood on the walls
As well as the main venue, I can’t help but be impressed by the bathrooms with their impressive artwork on display – as well as the stunning wall of wine.
The Food & Drink
The menu is large but not overwhelming. It also has clearly defined areas to showcase the traditional dishes as well as alternative specialities.
Our amazing waiter Mauro recommended we share a few dishes to start including the Charred Heritage Tomato Raclette (£14) with sourdough croutons, sherry vinegar dressing and black garlic aioli. Raclette is very popular on the London food scene at the minute – as a cheese devotee, it would be rude to decline.
The black garlic aioli was incredible, we could have eaten a whole bowl of it. We also enjoy the Lobster & Roasted Fennel Tart (£14) with sheep’s milk tomme and pine nut relish and the Maple Glazed Swaledale Pork Belly Rosti (£14) with black truffle and Tomette de Brebis. Both dishes looked incredible and more importantly they tasted even better.
The cocktail menu also had plenty of choice. We again went with the recommendations from Mauro and chose the Gateway to Happiness (£15) made with uluvka vodka, green chartreuse, coconut water, aloe vera, grapefruit juice, lemon & lime juice and topped up with Merchant’s Heart hibiscus tonic water.
We also sipped the Yuzu Collins (£15) with roku gin, elderflower liqueur, yuzu juice and fresh ginger and topped up with merchant’s heart floral tonic water.
We thoroughly enjoyed both with their subtle flavours that complemented the dishes rather than overpowering them. They also looked great – an important factor when it comes to Instagram gloating.
For the main event (yes, there was still somehow room in our stomachs!) we of course chose the Meat Fondue for two (£18pp).
The house fondue, this was made with Fourme d’ambert and is served with sliced beef fillet, house made sausage, grilled pork belly and pickles. My arteries may have cried for a break, but my appetite said otherwise.
We also chose to add Crispy Potato Hay with duck fat mayo (£5) and Hispi Cabbage with Aioli and crispy ham (£5) on the side. The beef was cooked to perfection and the crispy pork belly was amazing when it was dipped into the fondue.
Despite being extremely full, we couldn’t resist sharing the Chocolate fondue (£10pp) for dessert.
A small mountain of homemade marshmallow, strawberries, brownie and banana, this edible version of the alps was a great way to end our evening. The fruit helped to cut through the sweetness and the fondue itself was dreamy.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Putting with swish in Swiss, Heritage perfectly combines impeccable service with a lovely, friendly atmosphere and delightful dishes.
Every dish we tried tasted incredible and were also very reasonably priced for such a central location that is offering something new to Londoners.
We are already planning our return to try the rest of the menu and can’t wait to see if the other dishes are as great as the fondue I devoured.
Make it happen
Where: 18-20 Rupert St, London W1D 6DF
How: Click here or phone 020 3995 7500 to make a booking.
Words by Helen Wilcock
