Sunday, January 29, 2012

Nobu

This week I was lucky enough to go to Nobu albeit taking clients with work. Being both a very famous restaurant, and Japanese (with a Peruvian slant), I'd been hoping to make it there one day. And all the better when is someone else is paying!  I can report that it lives up its reputation (and 1 Michelin star).

Our client, who has eaten at Nobu worldwide, expertly ordered for the table. I tried pretty much everything but was full by the time the pork belly and beef arrived. The yellowtail and salmon were the stand outs for me.


- yellowtail sashimi with jalepenos
- black cod
- anti-cucho peruvian style spicy salmon skewer
- softshell crab harumaki with creamy wasabi
- spicy tuna sushi
- tuna on crispy rice squares (not called this on the menu!)

For dessert I had 'Macana' which was a white chocolate mousse, pistachio charged sponge, mango cream and kalamanzi (citrus) sorbet.

The interior is contemporary and pared-back. We sat at a large table away from the windows but I expect the views over Hyde Park would be nice. Good service too but they are very strict with the seating time so don't be leave, and do be prepared to be moved along after your allotted two hours.

(photo nicked from Nobu website)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Lady Ottoline

I agree with the folk at The Lady Ottoline; this is the best Sunday roast in Bloomsbury. I’d be tempted to go further and say London.

David, Laura and I enjoyed a very hearty roast there on New Year’s Day. I started with a flavoursome, hearty scotch broth with horseradish dumplings. We then had the choice of several roasts – pork, turkey, beef, chicken to share, or even a mix of three! All served with excellent veg, and a Yorkshire pud. I can report back that the aged sirloin beef was perfect. And the rhubarb crumble was a nice finish to the meal.

The pub itself has a lovely Victorian feel with dark timber, and well decorated with fir wreaths for Christmas (no tinsel in sight), and was buzzing and full at 3pm. The service was good (and knowledgeable on the menu and wine) and the prices were very reasonable for the quality of food.

I intend to while away many more Sunday afternoons there. Or even pop in for a mid-week drink.

Monday, January 2, 2012

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!