The Ledbury

David and I had booked the tasting menu at The Ledbury for new year's eve. It's a two michelin star restaurant in Notting Hill with an Australian chef, and another that has been on the top of my list for some time.

Excited and keen to make the most of the three hour experience*, we jumped in a cab after a martini at Dukes and arrived at 6:20pm in time for the early seating. I was reminded that being early is just as impolite as being late when we found the whole place empty and the staff still being briefed for the night's event!  Slightly embarrassed, we took our seats and sipped sparkling water until promptly at 6:30pm the briefing was over, more guests arrived and we were able to begin.

We had seven individual wines to match each of the courses which I won't write down, no doubt to the disgrace of the sommelier who spent a great deal of time explaining them to us, but unlikely anyone will read!

Here is what we enjoyed:

Amuse Bouche

Chantilly of Colchester Oysters with a Tartare of Oyster, Horseradish and Dill

Squid 'Risotto' with Cauliflower, Sherry and Pinenuts

Hampshire Buffalo Milk Curd with Saint-Nectaire Truffle, Truffle on Toast and a Broth of Grilled Shallots

Roast Sea Bass with Broccoli Stem, Natural Yoghurt and Indian Spices cooked in Brown Butter

Pork Jowl cooked in Spices with Apple Molasses and Celeriac

Fillet of Aged Cumbrian Beef with Smoked Onions, Black Truffle and Crisp Potato

Pre-Dessert 

Pave of Chocolate with Honeycomb, Macadamias and Malt

For some reason we were also given a second dessert - this happened to be a delicious passionfruit soufflé very similar to the one I had at L'Atelier de J.R. but even better.

The meal was absolutely fantastic. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the Chantilly of Oysters. The sea bass and pork particularly stand out (I was too busy eating those to remember to take photos!), as do the soufflé and the pave of chocolate.

Please admire the wafer thin shaving of cauliflower

Quite simply the most amazing cheese on toast you'll ever have, and wonderfully presented

The beef

The passionfruit soufflé (as if we needed a second dessert!) has just had a scoop of ice cream spooned into the centre to melt

The dining room is lovely with a high ceiling and windows, and the service excellent as you'd expect. The only comment I would make is that three hours was far too rushed for the size of the menu. I had five minutes to rush to the bathroom from when my plate was taken and the next wine poured, we didn't have time for the cheese course (just as well!) and we still over stayed the limit by half an hour!

*There's usually a fixed seating time for most London restaurants these days.

Eating out in Paris

Full details of last week's trip to Paris are over on the other blog!

Pollen Street Social

Last Thursday night was potentially the best meal of the year. David and I ate at Jason Atherton's 2 Michelin starred restaurant, Pollen Street Social.

I had prosecco to start because I was in the mood for bubbles but the cocktail list was excellent, as was the selection of 20 odd gins. The menu was fantastic. Unlike some Michelin starred restaurants that serve technically accomplished meals I am not inspired to eat, I could have chosen most of the menu here.

For starter I had Cornish crab vinaigrette, nashi pear, cauliflower sweet ‘n’ sour dressing, frozen peanut powder and the sommellier chose a very different glass of Greek smokey white to accompany it. Both excellent.

For my main course I had Roasted venison, baked parsley root, venison faggot, wild cabbage,                 golden chanterelles. Beautiful. We had a St Emillion Bordeaux to accompany it.

Dessert was a beautifully presented, deconstructed “Lemon meringue”, cream cheese & lime sorbet. With the tart citrus the sommelier recommended a light muscat.

David hadn't quite finished his selection of five cheeses so with a couple more oat crackers selected from the silver I tried the delicious Vacherin Mont D'or and Comte.

The service was impeccable from the front desk to the waiters and sommelier who really knew their stuff. And I liked the design of the place - pared back, modernist furniture, tres cool light fittings.

Definitely going back. Oh, and as a last treat, they gave us a little goodie bag with breakfast for the next morning!

The Opera Tavern

I love Spanish tapas and have had some great food at Dehesa and Salt yard so I knew I'd like the third restaurant in this stable.

We started with prosseco (me) and sherry (David), bread and San Daniele ham. And over the next three hours of lively conversation, Lucy, David and I ate some truly delicious tapas plates with really interesting flavours - the chicken and pork where particularly good:

• Jamon Croquettes, Manchego Dressing
• Chargrilled Venison Haunch with Chestnut Mash, Red Cabbage, Sprouts and Walnuts 
• Chargrilled Free Range Chicken with Butternut Squash, Spinach, Raisins and Pistachio Sauce 
• Confit of Old Spot Pork Belly with Rosemary Scented Cannellini Beans 
• Warm Salad of Romanesco, Cime di Rapa, Cavolo Nero and Truffled Gorgonzola Cream, 
• and their signature courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese and drizzled in honey. 

Lucy and I couldn't resist pudding, and the accompanying pudding wines. Panacotta with clementine jelly and blood orange granita, and poached quince with honey and rosemary ice cream. Subtle but delicious flavours.

As per my usual tapas dining experiences, I walk away loving the food but can't help thinking I've eaten way too much. Perhaps more regular visits would curtail my need to order everything on the menu?

Cecconi's

Discovered by David (or the Dukes Hotel concierge!) a couple of visits ago, this is a lively lunch spot. I've written about it before but it warrants another mention.

It's a classic dining experience from checking your coat at the door to the waiters in white jackets. It feels a bit like an Italian or American film scene from the '50s, and a bit showy. 

The Italian food is good. I had pappardelle with oxtail and a bloody mary yesterday (having been at Jaimee's Xmas party til 4am the night before!). David religiously orders the veal cannelloni. I think they're missing a classic lasagne from the menu though. 

Absorbing the buzzing atmosphere and people watching from the seat at the bar is the best part about the place. 

Hawksmoor, Covent Garden

People always appreciate a good steak and it seems they always have done. The Hawksmoor concept is inspired by the 18th Century London beef steak clubs whose members were dedicated to the cause.

The underground, industrial setting for this new, not-so-secret but equally sublime steak society feels appropriate. Brown leather banquettes, timber tables and a low ceiling bar adds to the atmosphere.

Pacing ourselves David and I both opted for the smallest 250g fillet mignon from the individual options (as opposed to the sharing steaks). The steak was cooked just as I like it and was delicious with horseradish, triple cooked chips and English lettuce and herbs. David had a perfect cauliflower cheese and creamed spinach with his. All washed down with a good bottle of French red.

For dessert I had a marmalade pudding and custard. Like an upside down cake made with their homemade marmalade. I don't often order puddings but it was simple, yummy and not too filling.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening of good food, wine, service and atmosphere. I'm just glad I wasn't paying!

Meat & Liquor

On Saturday night I went with some friends to a pretty new joint in town. They specialise in burgers, but this is no burger joint. False arches and ceiling domes are splattered in paint and dark lighting make it a bit more edgy.

Food is served directly on a tray with no need for a plate, and kitchen roll (paper towel) instead of cutlery.

We had BBQ chicken wings, chilli cheese fries (with so much topping they were like nachos), and burgers. My 'dead hippie' burger with two huge beef patties (one too many for me), cheese, lettuce and pickles beat any Big Mac!

The cocktails were great and you can drink them til 2am which is handy to know.