Planning a meal out with mates? No bill-splitting, fast fresh food and a cocktail happy hour…you can’t beat Vaps
PLANNING a group meal out can be a bit of nightmare. Catering to everyone’s tastes, booking a large enough table, taking into account the fiddly bill splitting at the end - and that’s just for starters.
Fortunately, Vapiano has a solution on all accounts. Even the fussiest eater should find something to please on its extensive menu, particularly when everything is customised to suit. Another sprinkle of cheese? No problem. A little less sauce? Yep, got that too.
The large canteen-like tables, meanwhile, are ideally suited to large groups and can be booked in advance to avoid any awkward waiting times on the night. And the casual ambience, with plenty of greenery to bring the outside in, reflects a focus on the communal dining favoured in Mediterranean countries.
Unusually, bill splitting isn’t a problem either, thanks to the handy swipe system. Handed a card on entry, you simply swipe it every time you order; no calculating who owes what at the end.
Confidential, deciding to check it out one Friday evening, were whisked upstairs by friendly ‘Vapianisti’ (that’s Vapiano staff) and seated at one of the large wooden tables overlooking the Corn Exchange. Fortunately, we were well in time for weekday happy hour, with two-for-one on selected cocktails from 4-7pm - a good start indeed...
Now adequately watered, it was time to be fed: feeling hungry, we plumped for the antipasti board to share as we perused the mains (disclaimer: it’s very good).
Whilst everything is cooked fresh in the theatre kitchen - simply go up to the relevant counter, swipe your card and tell the chef what you want - the waiting times are short, although watching the cooks at work is no hardship anyway. Herbs and spices assail the nostrils and there’s something theatrical about their efficiency as they whip up your bespoke dish in front of you: a scatter here, a handful there and hey presto.
It wasn’t long before our table was replete with homemade Italian plates. L’Oreal’s love of fiery foods was satisfied with spicy Italian sausage pasta, with an extra sprinkle of chilli, while I (spice tolerance being zilch) preferred to go for the crayfish pasta with lobster sauce: rich but oh so satisfying. Amy and Emma opted to share a classic caprese pizza and ravioli while Lucy tucked into a reef ‘n’ beef salad and Georgina opted for risotto with extra prawns. Worry not if you’re vegan or vegetarian, as there are several options there too. Desserts were no less satisfying, from the creamy panna cotta to the light lemon sorbet.
Now all feeling a little tipsy after one too many cocktails, it was a good job paying was a doddle. Little wonder Vapiano is a favourite for group evenings out - we’re well and truly sold.
