Qupi

Qupi is a fair schlep from my office, but I was in the mood for a decent stroll on what was a very sunny and bright day so toddled down the road.

The understated shop front reveals little of the considerable delights that lurk within the interior. The back room in particular is a little treasure trove with hats suspended on strings from the ceiling and an eclectic selection of furniture. It’s a fabulously entertaining setting.

The menu has a strong Mediterranean influence, with some classic Greek dishes alongside the odd French staple like a croque monsieur. I opted for their soup of the day, which was leek, potato and lentil, followed by some feta and spinach pie (spanakopita).

Service was entertaining, attentive and accurate throughout. The friendly waiter was soon bringing me soup and offering to heat it further if it wasn’t hot enough. The temperature was ideal for me and the soup was very tasty with an enjoyably rustic texture.

The spanakopita to follow wasn’t quite so good, but was still enjoyably hearty fare. It could have used just a touch more feta in the filling mix to give things a little more of a melting ooze. The pastry was nicely crisp, though, and the accompanying salad fresh and zingy.

So overall, I was impressed with Qupi. The droll counter man’s parting shot – “have a good day and remember not to behave” – seemed to sum up the quirky charm of the place rather nicely. Next time you’re looking for a lunch that’s high on taste and charm, I’d be happy to recommend a visit to Qupi.

Scores
Blythe scores Qupi
3.5/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 15/20

I ate: leek, potato and lentil soup; spanakopita

I drank: espresso, water

I wore: gherkin tie

Total bill: £9.70