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Paul Reynard

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Everything posted by Paul Reynard

  1. Thinking of going to borough market on Saturday morning and wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to where to go/avoid?
  2. Had another excellent lunch yesterday. To start an amuse of ginger and green peper soup had good flavour while an accompanying chicken confit was rather bland and pointless IMHO. Bread throughout was lovely especially the baguettes which had good consistency and had an ever so slight hint of cheese. To start I had poached duck egg with roasted onion, smoked bacon and a mushroom red wine sauce. Excellent breakfast style dish and proper posh comfort food with the egg being perfectly slow poached with tremendous flavour. My dining companion had the ever present scallops and squid ink pasta which seemed to go down well enough as normal. Next up for myself was Sole with a brown butter and caper sauce. This was by far the weakest dish with the sole not tasting too good and the texture very mushy (I know it was a risk having fish on a monday but still quite poor). The capers also lacked much flavour at all which is the first time that's ever happened to me. My friend had a potatoe gnocchi dish which was well made with dinky button mushrooms and a good sage and onion sauce. Next up for me was tongue and cheek of beef. The tongue had been confit I think and then shredded and put in a cannelini tube while the cheek had been braised and then rested on a lovely salsify confit. Accompanying reduced red wine sauce with hints of chinese type flavouring could be too rich for some but for me was on the money and perfect. Again a stellar dish. Friend had the duck which was of good quality but for me just not as interesting. We both had the stilton course to finish which had good sourced cheese and the accompanying honey jelly and poached pears were pleasant although nothing out of the ordinary. No coffee was taken although petit fours of good lemon and chocolate madeleines were served. With the lunch we had the accompanying wines which were well chosen especially a lovely Argentinian red to go with the beef. Service was again polished and friendly although a little slow at times. Overall this was a solid one star again although elements of a firm two star (egg and beef dishes for example). Another thing which really stood out more than last time was the quality of the presentation which is really quite beautiful and intricate while not taking away from the flavours. Looking forward to going back to this great valule lunch spot.
  3. Do people still use cash? I didn't even know it was still in circulation? Good point that they might be saying yes to a gratuity before giving me the machine. Will try and pick up the courage to have a go when I'm there for an all day session next Monday...
  4. You think that's bad? There are a few hotels in London (Connaught for one) which not put a service charge on drinks in the bar (fine by me due to the excellent staff) but then the credit card machine makes you add an extra gratuity before you can process the payment!! Obviously each time I have just added a penny but still... I haven't made a fuss because of the type of place it is and I'm always with guests or the good lady and obviously don't want to make a tit of myself. Also The Connaught Bar at the moment is the nicest bar and the nicest room in the whole of London. Anyhow would be interested if anyone knows of any laws against this as am planning an e-mail to the manager regarding this.
  5. Popped in last night for a very early spot at the bar (only three people came in while I was there betweeen 6 and 7.15ish). Food was full of good flavours and the menu is indeed a dream. Had soft boiled egg with brown shrimps for starter followed by the game suet pudding with mashed swede and carrot. Both dishes were comfort food to the extreme and all the better for it. Service was obviously attentive being the only one there although you can tell they're all just settling in still. Having said that all the head waiters seemed very friendly especially the 'door girls' which the Dos Hermanos have mentioned on. Good to see Corrigan again and he seemed his usual joyful self when I had a few words with him as he was doing his daily checks. Going back tonight to give it a full test but could become a monthly regular with a menu like it's got.
  6. Having to try and organise a Sunday lunch booking for nine people in the middle of December. It needs to be near Hyde Park if possible with a cost of £20 ex-drinks per person. A decent gastro pub or similar would be good. Thought of the Running Footman but not been there and Mayfair is dead to say the least on a Sunday. Am thinking of somewhere in Marleybone if possible? Any thoughts and advice welcome. Cheers.
  7. Went here last nigth for the first time to see if it was worth the hype and sadly I don't think it was. First the good things. Service was always friendly but a bit slow at times and the wine list is indeed a bit of a dream. The room is very small (I think it's the smallest restaurant I've ever been in with just 30 covers) and tables are tightly packed in. Bread good (although had to ask for more as just a slice each served at first) but the olives were really quite poor. We both went for the pigs trotters and shared a pan fried foie gras dish which came with a mix haricot(?) beans and chorizo. The combination of all the pig trotter dish elements came together very well and were very unctuous but the pigs trotter itself I thought was very poor. It was just too fatty and barely any meat - I might have been unlucky and as I say the dish as a whole worked well. The foie was very good with the sauce inparticular having a lovely moreish smokey flavour while not overpowering the star. For mains I had the duck confit while my friend had the steak tartare. Steak tartare looked good and was well recieved (by a man who ate at Merronies fine dining restaurant in Aus in the 90's) and the chips were also good and crispy. However I was unlucky again with my dish. The double duck confit had good flavour and fell off the bone but the skin did not have any crispiness at all which is the main reason I go for confits. The accompanying sauteed potatoes were good and the salad leaves a good offset although clearly out a packet. Desserts were ok but no more. Tiramasu had a good coffee flavour but no alchoholic kick at all but the Eaton mess opposite went down quickly enough. Coffee was actually one of the best I've had and definately up there with one I had at the Connaught the other week. With a bottle of stonking Italian wine (worth splashing out £43 on when it's a fixed mark up) and a couple of apertifs the above came to £122 ex SC. As I say good if you want to be stuffed full to the gills but quality a long way below that of Arbie, wild Honey, Andrew Edmunds, Galvin et al. Nearly forgot - the toilets - reason enough not to go again (although I probably will give it a go again prefereably in a big group to destroy that wine list! )
  8. Been for a couple of meals in last few weeks. One with the old man and one in a group of 5. Both times the majority had the set lunch/pre-theatre deal. Stand outs were a smoked eal and mullet risotto (lovely and unctuous and served in the copper pan it was cooked in), a leg of rabbit with potatoe puree, and the standard pigs head starter and saddle of rabbit with shoulder confit cottage pie main. These two last dishes were as normal the stars of the show although the pigs head did seem a bit more fatty than usual. Only quible I would have on the food is still the desserts. On the set menu they are normally sub standard with a sorbet or floating island or cheese (always not at its best) on offer and the a la carte desserts still fail to inspire (eg I had an ok cheesecake with roasted figs on my last visit). Just needs a bit more imagination and effort IMO. However the wine list is still excellent and last time I really tested it for the first time. One of us in the group is training to be a master of wine and knows his stuff. I think we managed to get through about 12 caraffes between the five of us and all that I tasted were good to very good especially the dessert wines (which in general are becoming my favourite party of any meal). As I say all still on form although I think it should carry on striving to improve instead of resting on its laurels.
  9. Went here for lunch at the end of August so apologies for lateness (and subsequent vagueness). Two of us decided to go off the a la carte lunch which is the best value I have come accross in London (including Le Gavroche) with an extra dish each. After a couple of comped glasses of fizz (nice to be with someone who knows most of London's concierges) there was an amuse bush off pea soup with a bit of rolled sushi on the side. Sounds quite a weird combo but was actually one of the best things. The soup good and concentrated and the sushi well prepared with a gentle hint of Wassabi. Between us on the menu proper we had the foie gras and betroot (very good with a nice hit of ginger), swordfish carpaccio, scallops on squid ink rissotto (lovely and a good size but slightly rich after a while), sweetbreads with glazed leeks (a weak course for me as was a bit over seasoned but was cood for friend), halibut with citrus and tomatoe (good bit of fish and a very light dish), rump of lamb with pressed shoulder, guinnea fowl with pollenta (again a good bit of meat but heavily overseasoned) and for desserts Stilton with pears and a Calvados Souffle which looked and tasted absolutely stunning. Wine pairings were good and I actually managed to get a third glass due to an end of bottle. Breads were only ok but the chocolates at the end were fantastic. One dark (with a drop of balsamic), one milk and one olive oil. I know I'm probably the only one never to have had this before (and the only one to actually like it) but it was actually very very good, being smooth, strong, choclatey and olivvy all at the same time. How is this done? (please tell if anyone knows). Service was good and the view fine although slightly affected by the Candy development next door. As I say ingredients, preparartion, combinations and timing were excellent although they need to go steady on the salt at times (which I will allow as me just being unlucky). Will definately be back for a Saturday lunch sometime soon especially as all of the above only cost £40 each (ex SC).
  10. Visitied for the first time a few weeks ago as I was on the wrong side of the river for a change. Have got to say the queue was not too annoying to me as we arrived at 6 and got offered a table at 6.30 or 7.30 so we chose the latter. After a couple of (very reasonably priced) pints we went in. A couple of glasses of elderflower fizz worked a treat and were the first time I've actually liked the taste of elderflower. My starter of pork terrine was good and piggy with a nice piccalilli although the terrine could have done with being a bit less fridge cold. Can't remember what my friend had but went well enough (I think). Mains were a pot roasted partridge for friend and braised hare for me. The hare was a first for me and was very good. Obviously braised for a long time with figs/dates added in which gave it even more richness along with a puree of celeriac. Lovely comfort food. A shared tart was all I could manage for dessert and can't really remember what it was like (probably the wine not the tarts fault). With a bottle of Spanish red (£30ish) it all came to jjust over £85 (ex SC). Good value for a good all round meal, but no more. Would try GQS though as a bit more central and closer to home.
  11. Unfortunately it's all legal and above board and they are often referred to as Phoenix (from the ashes) companies. You'll often see it in local shops and restaurants where a venture fails, goes into 'Administration' and then a friend or relative comes along, buys the stock/licence for a heavily knocked down price and then re-opens again under a new company name (with new director and company secretary), slightly different fittings but largely the same stock/business idea. However if this business has indeed been bought by investors as a going concern then any creditors should not be left out of pocket - if you are kick and scream (especially threaten more negative media coverage) and you should get somewhere. Alternatively as you say go down (with fellow suppliers) have a meal, refuse to pay and say it's in liue of payment. If they argue ask for the police (and media of course) to come and have your unpaid invoices at the ready!
  12. Almost didn't believe you at first but here's the evening standard take : http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/art...iers/article.do
  13. Fairly interesting article on the subject: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...columnist_vines
  14. The following are the first reviews I've found although I guess old Jan will have hers up tomorrow. I'm due to be going on Friday night so if anyone has any update it would be much appreciated. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/restaurants/...viewId=23559471 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...Df94&refer=home
  15. Deservedly taking the night off? Maybe, but considering Saturday nights is probably still the busiest night for most restaurants it's surprising that head chefs take it off (in my mind at least). Standards will slip, staff will surely get a bit disgruntled if the boss lets them take the heavy shifts, and eventually the customer will notice.
  16. Managed to find my way through in the end. For the next week or so you have to go through the hotel switch board and ask for the new Marcus Waring at Petrus restaurant. As from a week or so's time the number will be 0207 2351200 and it's opening on 15th September (I think). As a matter of note the old petrus line made no mention of the new restaurant and just said that they had no details which I guess is being politically correct given the present state.
  17. Do you have a telephone number and an opening date for the new restaurant?
  18. Not that good at the moment I'm afraid - the Candy development spoils it some what
  19. Imperial china on Lisle Street. They only serve dim sum at lunch (12-5pm) and the evening food they serve tends to be a lot more suspect. Off there for a quick lunch today as it happens.
  20. On the way to Margate we had a nice lunch at the Oyster Company in Whitstable. Margate has ... errm... some fish and chip shops. ←
  21. Went for a meal here with the good lady on Saturday 9th and have got to say everything was pretty much spot on. First thing to note is that the we chose from had several different options to that which MobyP had on the 4th. Obviously the first sign of great seasonality and using only the freshest ingredients. To start was the onion bread. Oh the bread... Most places could use this and call it brioche it was that buttery and yummy. The butter was also spot on with just that hint of cheesiness which sets proper butter apart from the rest. With this I managed to get us a few slivers of ham which as others have remarked was remarkably tender and melt in the mouth delicious. Nearly forgot that tap water was offered straight up and didn't even see a bottle of mineral. As we were there on a weekend we were unfortunately restricted to the ALC (seems a bit weird not to offer the tasting menu as it's not exactly the biggest of restaurants, but hey ho). Three starters were had. Wood pigeon was the only lowish point of the meal. The two bits of meat were of ok quality but one was substantially thinner than the other causing half of the meet to be overcooked. Also the pink portion had a bit of sinnew left in which really shouldn't be happening. The accomanying lentils however were the only ones I have ever enjoyed eating so top marks there. Another starter was a slip sole with tarter sauce. The fish timed perfectly although the tarter sauce to me was slighlty overpowering. The final starter was the salmagundi. As others have said this is the most beautiful dish - with all the salad elements tasting so fresh and delicious and a perfectly timed golden poached egg you can not help but love it. For mains we had the thornback ray and the brill. The ray was lovely although a bit to much of a soft fish for me but that is the nature of the beast. The brill was again well timed although much more to my liking being a good meaty texture. The size was also generous with two healthy chunks which helped sharing out the dish. We then shared a cheeseboard which consisted of epoise, roquefort, a goats, a brie and a local hard cheese (which the waitress first thought was Comte). All were fine and in good condition although something other than jacobs wtar biscuits would have been good especially having got our hopes up with the onion bread. For dessert we had the fruit salad and the hot chocolate mousse with salted caramel. The fruit salad was again a fine example of how not to mess with perfectly selected fresh ingredients. The encompassing biscuit basket was also good although the ice cream was a bit too melted which was the only let down. The chocloate mousse was again superb. Good rich taste and the lurking caramel at the bottom was also spot on just notching the dessert up that extra level. To accompany we (by that I mean I) had a decent bottle of 2004 Montagny 1er cru from Mont Cuchot at £24 (if you found this in London I guess you would be looking at £40+). Service was ok although I would've prefered to order at the table instead of the bar and being offered a taste of the wine and then being poured the first glass would also have been an improvement. All told the bill came to £108 for 8 courses and the bottle of wine mentioned. Best value meal I've had in a long time and look forward to returning midweek for the tasting menu in a couple of months when we visit our friends again.
  22. When we went to Le Meurice a few years back they were doing that, except in our case they accidentally gave Judy the one with the prices (and then quickly switched them round when they realised). It was also memorable as the only restaurant I've ever been to with special handbag stands so you don't have to sully your bag on the carpet. ← The Greenhouse also have little handbag stands now. Glad I'm not the only one who suffers this problem Duncan...
  23. Looking forward to my meal there in a couple of weeks now...
  24. Has anyone got any rec's for in or near to Margate for lunch this coming Saturday. Going to the Sportsman the following Saturday so would be good to go somewhere different. While we're on the subject has anyone got any rec's on what to have at the Sportsman (I understand they don't do the tasting menu at weekends?)
  25. Even funnier/sadder is the rplies people put to his initial review on the times website: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_...offset=0&page=1
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