It was fascinating to eat at Aulis London after having enjoyed Aulis Cartmel - the menus bear the same hallmark but differ in many small and larger details. I enjoyed both extremely. Comparing side by side, you can taste the difference between *** and * but at the same time, Aulis London also is a third cheaper - so I can recommend both equally. The only disappointment at Aulis London was the nonalcoholic beverage pairing that was in no way comparable. While in Cartmel, the nonalcoholic pairings were without exception all in-house creations and one was more creative and unique than the other (think pear juice with miso or lapsang tea with black current juice), in London, most beverages were externally bought, and overall the choices felt more like a poor replacement of wine (think upscale juices) rather than creations worthy a Michelin star in their own right.
We really enjoyed Aulis - wonderful service, lovely chef’s table setting, and the food was really delicious. I’m deducting a star for a few reasons: the price is pretty obnoxious (more than similar offerings we’ve sampled), the English wine pairing we didn’t enjoy, and quite a few of the dishes had chips on them. The latter seems trivial but at this price level, you don’t expect chipped plates. Also, coffee / tea is an extra cost and, at this price level, it felt a bit cheeky to add it on to the bill. But to reiterate, the food was super delicious and the service excellent. (Also, the spotlight lighting in the lounge is a bit stark - recommend you have a look at wall lights instead).
I’ve been to Aulis twice now and it’s genuinely my favourite dining experience.
The format is so well considered. You start the evening with the early courses in the lounge area before moving to the chef’s table, where you watch the team cook and plate in front of you. Each dish is introduced with thoughtful explanations and the insight into how the ingredients are sourced (often from the Lake District) adds real depth to the experience. The food across all 14 courses is exceptional.
Food aside, one of my favourite things about Aulis is the team. Everyone is so warm, welcoming, and happy to answer questions which makes the whole evening feel really relaxed and intimate.
Already counting down to my next visit!
I was pleased to finally make it to Aulis - Soho’s intimate, quietly elusive dining room. I’ve been peeking in through the laneway window for months.
The experience was sweetly worth the wait. The staff are personable and proud of what’s being brought to the counter. There’s a thread of mischief woven through the menu: a gelatinous layer slipping over a scallop, a very stylish update to bread pudding.
The non-alcoholic pairing for the solo diner beside me looked particularly well-considered - many bottles, little trays, I was jealous.
A thoughtful and quietly daring meal.
Aulis was not only our first Michelin Star restaurant experience, but also our first Chefs Table experience!
With that in mind, and perhaps obviously, this was the best food experience I've ever had.
The experience was thoughtful, well paced, laid back, obviously delicious. There wasn't a single dish we could have done without, and there are multiple I wish I could have had a second time.
We really enjoyed hearing about all of the ingredients in the dishes, which are all fresh and locally sourced. Every single dish had a story that was carefully explained.
The restaurant is comfortable and very quiet, despite being in the middle of Soho. Obviously, everything is pristinely clean.
When we left, we got a nice souvenir menu to take home.
