You know that feeling when you are drawn away from your usual lunch spot and you discover something that’s been becoming you for a while you just haven’t had a reason to change. Tasting a Poke House bowl was the only push I needed to change my regular lunch spot. It was snowing, I didn’t get my usual parking spot, and I couldn’t be bothered to back track to grab lunch before meeting my friend for a little shopping in the west end.
The Fitrovia location is pink pretty, with cute tables inside to sit and enjoy the super fresh bowls, that start with rice and veggies and end with salmon, chicken, nuts, dressing, a whole array of fresh cold and warm options including spicy and smokin if that’s where you want to head.
I began with a basic vegetarian, I’ve never had cold salad and hummus over rice but it worked a charm. I was tempted by the Caesar bowl, which came with Chicken and vegan bacon I was keen to try. It sounded really good. And I wanted to see if vegan bacon could take the place of regular in a BLT I like to indulge in.
It the kind of place when you eat there, my small bowl cost £9.95, they do a medium and large option, you want to find out more about the story, how this company came into being.
It was started in Milan, by two friends after one had spent time in California enjoying Poke and watching how healthy active people loved to tuck into the easy to deliver fresh mixed bowls that actually originated further west in Hawaii.
In twenty years the chain has grown through nine countries, over 160 houses, employing over 1000 people with a supportive global community of 320,000 Poke House subscribers and loyalty club members.
I didn’t sign up for the loyalty program this time but I am sure I will explore the offers and discounts available for frequent visitors the next time I visit. They have quite a few locations across London. The one in St John’s Wood is probably the closest to my home, but also Notting Hill Gate, Covent Garden and Bayswater.
The lady that served me was really great. The one thing that did dampen down the experience was I asked for a little carrot adding to the bowl and I was told I’d have to pay an extra £1.00, for a few shreds of carrot. I declined the carrot which surprised the member of staff as she went to add it unconsciously I had to repeat I didn’t want to pay what I considered a lot for a little bit of carrot. I would understand chicken, nuts, avocado even but a whole carrot costs what 10p, it seemed cheap so I declined in principle and did without. I could tell the member of staff felt bad about the policy and went over and above to make the rest of the experience positive.
Until I tried to pay with cash and that wasn’t acceptable either. Thank goodness my friend has a card with her as I didn’t have my phone or wallet so would have found myself in the embarrassing position of being unable to pay for the food.
I”ll obviously know for next time but something the consider if you are visiting for the first time, it’s card payment only.
SusieQ
Primary school teacher originally from South Korea living and working in London married to a Yorkshire man
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