Dinner - Heston Blumenthal
inspired by historic British gastronomy.
My "All Seeing, all Hearing" better half, dragged myself and Golden Boy to Heston Blumenthal Dinner as she wants Golden Boy to continue refining his palate with Michelin restaurants.
For the record, Golden Boy started visiting Michelin restaurants many moons ago since he was 8 yo at Robuchon/Paris.
I personally dislike Heston Blumenthal and always avoid visiting his restaurants, but He who dares going against his wife wishes will burn in hell or eat on the dining room floor!
Such places do not always allow photography. I was lucky this time.
This is the first restaurant menu which list the source of the dishes which I thought was a nice touch.
1- Libations:
The Sommelier tried to offer wine pairing but as an old git I stuck with a single choice of White Wine:
- Chardonnay, Gran Moraine, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette, Oregon, U.S.A
I am not keen on US wine but as I am not keen on Heston Blumenthal then the pair is more less keeness.
I must confess that I preceded the wine with a some Sake:
- 'Wa' - Harmony, Jummai Ginjo, Hou Rai Sen, Sekiya Brewery, Japan
2- Amuses Bouches
Zero - None - Niente
3- Starters
- Meat Fruit (Signature Dish)
Mandarin, chicken liver parfait & Grilled Bread
Source: 13th-15th century
- Earl Grey Tea Cured Salmon
Pickled lemon salad, gentleman's relish & sorrel
Source: 1730 The Complete Practical Cook by Charles Carter
- Salamagundy
Chicken Oysters, salsify, marrow bone, horseradish cream & pickled walnuts
Source: 1720 The Cook's and Confectioner's Dictionary by John Nott
4- Main
- Chicken Asparagus
Braised hen of the woods, peas, lemon & sorrel
Source: 1660 The Whole Body of Cookery Dissected by William Rabisha
- Iberico Pork Chop
Smoked Hispi Cabbage, pickled onion, ice cider & Robert sauce
Source: 1820 based on Marie Antoine Carême 's residency in London
5- Dessert
- Tipsy Cake
Spit roast pineapple, Brioche & crème anglaise
Source: 1810 The English Cookery Book by J.H. Walsh
- Brown Bread Ice Cream
Salted butter caramel, pear & malted yeast syrup
Source: 1830 A New System of Domestic Cookery by Maria Eliza Rundell
6- Coffee
- Santa Lucia - Brazil
- Naranjos- Columbia
Will I visit again: No
Just in case I did not mention it enough: I am not a fan of Heston Blumenthal.
The best dishes were the Starter: Meat Fruit and the Dessert: Tipsy Cake which apparently has it's own dedicated pastry Chef who baste the crème anglaise around six times and which has to be ordered with a 45mn window.
