Hibiscus

On Saturday evening we went to Chef Claude Bosi's restaurant for dinner to celebrate a little anniversary. It was everything one would expect from a two Michelin starred establishment with several extra delicious surprises among our six course surprise tasting dinner along with matching wines.

Along with a glass of champagne we were served cashew and peanuts with sea salt and vinegar powder, but before we had too many, some canapés arrived - choux pastries filled with oozing cheese, and savoury biscuits and little cups filled with tasty creams.
Then came a tiny biscuit cone filled with truffle ice-cream sprinkled with crushed sesame and topped with a sherry reduction. Just a little taste, but intense.
This was our menu, which was only given to us as we left - so every course was a complete surprise before it was served.  One course missing from the images is the Goosnargh Duck, which was eaten before I realised we hadn't taken a photo! Also missing is the little shot glass filled with Meadowsweet Panna Cotta topped with a Golden Delicious apple jelly.

Cabbage Royale, coconut and curry en cocotte

Norwegian King Crab, Smoked Haddock, Granny Smith Apple

Scottish Scallop, Black Radish, Almond and Truffle

Line caught Sea Bass "à la Grenobloise"

Roasted Adour Foie Gras, Nashi Pear and Liquorice

Goosnargh Duck, Pumpkin and Passion Fruit

Chocolate Millefeuilles, Indonesian Basil Ice Cream, Star Anise.

Nougat with pistachio, cranberry, carrot and beetroot

Hibiscus Restaurant, Mayfair, London

Benares

Benares is the Michelin starred restaurant of  Indian Chef Atul Kochhar. It was to celebrate my birthday that we went along to taste the delicious food of this remarkable chef - the first ever Indian chef to receive the accolade of a Michelin star. We were welcomed and taken upstairs to the restaurant and bar, being shown straight to our table. A glass of fizz and a peruse of the menu, and we soon decided to go with the tasting menu with matching wines. and so the fun began. Seven courses and five different wines - all superb, of course, and impeccably served. 

First here are two views of the restaurant:

Our nibbles with a glass of champagne.

Spinach and Apricot Tikka

Crispy Soft Shell Crab, Apple Relish,

Scottish White Crab Meat and Coronation Slaw

Baked Organic Salmon, Spiced Vermicelli,

Hand-picked Scottish Crab Croquette,

Coconut and Curry Leaf Sauce

 

Chutney Grilled Fillet,

Tandoori Spring Onion and Saffron Supreme,

Crispy Wing from Free Range Chicken

Nimbu Pani Sorbet

Roasted Rump of English Lamb,

Baby Spinach and Chickpea Masala,

Minced Shoulder Samosa

Mint tea with Petit Fours

 

Rose and Raspberry Bhapa Doi, Pistachio Burfi

The five matching wines were:

2012 Viognier, Clay Station, Lodi, California, USA

2012 Sequillo Eben Sadie, Malmesbury, South Africa

2009 Gewürztraminer Atul’s Signature, Jean Claude Gueth, Alsace, France

2012 Pinot Noir Muddy Water, Waipara, New Zealand

2009 Chenin Blanc Les 4 Villages, Domaine FL Coteaux du Layon, Loire, France

Benares, Mayfair, London