NOW CLOSED

When I visited: 2012

Location: London, Soho

Rating in the Michelin Guide: Not rated in the Guide (used to have 1 star)

Dining Owl Hoot rating: 2/5

What to wear: Men – jeans or nice trousers and a shirt; women – jeans and a smart top or a smart dress

Ambience: Can’t remember

Course of the meal: Salad of heritage tomatoes, watermelon and fromage frais

If I could change one thing: More memorable food

Review:

I visited Arbutus a few years ago and really struggle to remember anything special about it. I think it was fairly pleasant and good value but I just can’t recall any particular dishes as being amazing or anything particular about the atmosphere or ambience. It retained a Michelin star for a good few years but by the time of the 2017 Guide it dropped out of the ratings as it had closed. Maybe it will re-open elsewhere and return to form …