When Volpo Lounge opened in Leicester’s Fosse Park shopping centre in February, 2022 everyone in my group of friends was excited, happy to have a somewhat independent restaurant in close promixity seemingly doing things differently, a more hippy chic London vibe in the stix, boardgames, tapas, fresh juices, recycled furniture and junk shop art with an extensive vegan vegetarian menu, the place was completely different to anything else within miles and we’d be once a week visitors.

Since then I don’t know if the chain has just got too big, if the lounges is now a franchise or what the hell has happened but the warm friendly staff have turned into unhappy to be at work servers and the food which used to be inventive, fresh and exciting has turned into well not that.

I went this week for the last time. Why, we honestly couldn’t think of anywhere else where the welcome is warm, the food fresh, veggie vegan options better than something slapped on the menu without thought just to say there you go, a sweet potato curry or another mushroom risotto.

I don’t want to be horrible but the place looked like it needed a good clean, tables that hadn’t been cleared, hostile service at the bar and bathrooms that would be avoided if you weren’t desperate.

I honestly don’t know what has happened. Maybe they just need a new manager but in three short years this place has gone from a regular fun brunch hangout where dogs are welcome and patio dining people watching available to somewhere you think Nah….. should anyone suggest it as an option again.