Just a stone throw from Covent Garden is Seven Dials, one of London’s most up and coming areas. New and exciting eateries and boutiques are popping up left right and center and pushing the corporate conglomerates firmly from the water in a refreshing breath of fresh air. Amongst these, is new Balans Soho society, a quirky brasserie cross tapas restaurant. The sixth restaurant in the group it encapsulates the West London vibe perfectly. The weather is warm and the front windows are thrown open, revealing a vibe reminiscent to lazy holiday evenings and dining experiences. The decor manages to be contemporary yet rustic at the same time. Art adorns the walls and despite its recent opening you would never guess it has only been here for just over a month. Word has clearly spread and it is busy for a Sunday night,  people enjoying cocktails spill onto the outside tables and the holiday-style atmosphere is chilled and relaxed. It’s hard to feel stressed here.

 From tables of friends, to mother daughter duos or hand-holding couples, this is a restaurant catering for all. Staff are friendly to each and every table, making each guest feel part of the Balans family and they chat enough to make you feel welcomed without being over-imposing. Despite it being quite busy, there is no sense of rushing to get you out and the next table in, the manager explains how they want to adopt the social aspect of going out to eat. He says meals are all about being sociable, spending time with loved ones and taking your time to really enjoy the eating experience. In a culture where dining can so often be rushed, it’s a welcomed change.

We were recommended to pick a few dishes from the “small dishes” menu then see how we feel about the main. I’ll admit here we let our heads get the better of our stomachs and ordered 6 between two of us, the premise of such delicious offerings too much to resist. From a delicious onion tart to lamb meatballs and seared scallops (utterly divine) to Smoked Mozzarella Arancini everything was cooked perfectly, full of flavor and piping hot.

Being an avid cocktail lover, it wasn’t hard to be persuaded to try one of their speciality tipples. My ‘Long Mango’ (a mix of Moskovskaya vodka, mango, lime and passion fruit) was fabulously fruity and Marks, named ‘Great Balls of Fire’ (a blend of fireball cinnamon whisky, lemon and eggwhite) was one of the best cocktails he’s ever tried. Our waiter explained how it was an invention of one of their bartender and this alone was something worth coming back for!

Once demolished, we ordered a main each, I the chicken and my partner the burger (as recommended by our waiter.)

They arrived after about 30 minutes, piping hot and beautifully presented. The burger was accompanied by a side of food envy on my part, simply because it was one of the best burgers I have ever tasted, however the chicken was cooked to perfection and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Soft and succulent on the inside, encased in a crispy and flavoursome skin, it was clear this was food that had been cooked with love. The sauce was creamy and my side of kale with ginger and chilli a simple yet delicious addition which I would safely say is my new veggie-love.

The beef of the burger was fat and juicy, cooked medium-rare with no chewy fat or bland “Mincey” flavor. Subtle hints of herbs and spices tickled the tongue and the bun was fat and fluffy, each mouthful appreciated.

Word of warning- we were super full by this point and I would recommend either opting for a selection of small dishes as we did, or choosing one as a starter and then having a main. We both struggled to finish ( a real disappointment as it was so delicious!) but whichever option you choose you’ll leave feeling satisfied.

The coupling of the staff, the food and the decor make this location ideal for a chilled dining experience and one you will find yourself booking as your favorite and heading back to time and time again.

Balans Soho Society Cafe
2-34 Monmouth Street
Seven Dials
London
WC2H 9HA
020 7836 2982