CLOSED: 1 Love Kitchen (Toronto)

Posted on Friday, November 28, 2014 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 247 Queen Street West
Type of Meal: Dinner
Situated amongst all the stores on bustling Queen West, 1 Love Kitchen is a warm low-key place where you'll get a full meal for less than $15. Although take-out is available, I suggest you dine-in and relax. Take in the bright green surroundings, hum along to the background music and best of all enjoy your food hot!


The slow braised oxtail ($11) was flavourful and tender. I love the gummy texture of the cartilage between the bone and meat which softens as it’s cooked. We were told that at in order to keep the calories down in the dish, excess fat is removed and the oxtail is cooked longer to ensure it's still just as tender. Mixed with potatoes, carrots and peppers the sauce that accompanies it is delicious and hearty.



Despite being categorized as a one chili dish on the menu, personally I found the oxtail spicier than the jerk chicken (listed with three chilies). But, it wasn’t overwhelming and was just flavourful enough to not require any additional hot sauce.


My husband ordered the char-grilled jerk chicken ($9.45) and it was moist with a nice smoky taste. Due to 1 Love’s healthier take on food, there's less salt on the chicken. I would have preferred a bit more seasoning but the addition of some scotch bonnet hot sauce did help add more flavour to the meat.



All meals are accompanied with rice & beans and a choice of coleslaw or salad. You can substitute the rice for quinoa for $1.75 and/or add baked plantain for $1.25. We had tried the rice and quinoa; both grains were good and went equally well with the protein so it’s really a matter of personal taste which to order. In either case, I’d suggest asking for some of the oxtail’s sauce on top as it complements the grains so well.



We both decided on the coleslaw which was crisp and fresh. Although it was dressed in a creamy looking sauce it wasn’t heavy. In the end, it was fairly neutral tasting and helped to cool our tongues when we went a little gung-ho with the hot sauce.

1 Love Kitchen also offers rotis, salads, soup and side add-ons if what accompanies your meal isn’t enough. All in all, we were both very satisfied with our meals. The food was more than enough to fill us but we didn’t leave feeling stuffed and sluggish. In the end, although 1 Love Kitchen offers healthier Caribbean fare, have no fear the flavours are still pronounced - your heart and stomach will just thank you for your choice later.


 Overall mark - 7* out of 10
* I should note my husband disagrees with my ranking and he thinks it deserves an 8.5.


Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary but the thoughts are still my honest opinion.

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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

Fresh Burger is opening and giving out free burgers! (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 by
Address: 542 Church Street
Website: http://www.fresh-burger.com/

Unless you live or work in Richmond Hill, you've likely never encountered Fresh Burger. Certainly, they have many satisfied customers, so much so that it was declared Yelp's 2014 Best Burger Restaurant. 

 They are now bringing their "honest burger experience" to downtown at their new Church and Wellesley location. And Torontonians you're in for a treat as they will be giving out free burgers from 6 - 7:30pm on Friday, November 28th during their grand opening event. If you're looking for a later dinner, there will be a 2-for-1 special after 7:30 until 11pm. 

Although I've never tried Fresh Burger myself, I'm aiming to drop by that evening to indulge in their freshly ground burger. The menu is simple - they offer "fresh" (4 oz) and "prime" (6 oz) sizes and should you want a meat overload feel free to double any of the pattys. They are classically adorned with lettuce, tomato, cheese (no upgrade required) and their secret sauce. But, you can add onions and pickles as well along with other supplementary toppings.

 There's also a poutine that should help to complete the meal. You didn't hear it from me, but a little birdie told me they also have a secret menu consisting of an Aloha burger, bacon mushroom melt and California fries (these in particular intrigue me). 

 Since they're opening in November their patio won't be of any use, but would be a great place to eat during the summer months. So, if I've wet your appetite, visit Fresh Burger on November 28th to try a free burger on them!


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Mark Greenaway (Edinburgh)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Address: 69 North Castle Street
Website: www.markgreenaway.com
Type of Meal: Dinner 
Mark Greenaway’s surroundings were simple but comfortable and the dining room held a surprising number of tables for the small location.  My only suggestion, for the next revamp, is to change the chairs. They are simply not practical for anyone with a purse with its holes in the back and rounded backing (nothing to hang your purse from); alas, mine had to sit on the ground.  Additionally, they were not that comfortable which may be a downfall for patrons ordering the 8-course tasting menu whom would need to sit for a while.  Luckily, we were just popping by for a quick dinner so they were good enough for us.

Soon after ordering we were brought an amuse bouche of sage and pumpkin foam with toasted pumpkin seeds.  I find pure foam starters to be a hit and miss, but Mark Greenaway's version was delicious with the fragrant warm foam set against the nuttiness of the pumpkin seeds.  The dish had a richness to it making it taste like lobster bisque (I know a bit strange for pumpkin) and proved to be a great start.
After the amuse bouche, I was expecting bread to be brought out as a large disk of butter sat on the white linens.  Surprisingly, it did not and instead my appetizer arrived first. Rather, the bread is served between the appetizer and main which is certainly unconventional, but perhaps saves you from filling up?  

The spelt risotto (£7) was beautifully presented with a deep yellow sauce set against the brown grains of spelt.  If you like cheese, this would be a great option as there’s plenty of it – a layer on the bottom of the plate, four croquettes of fried cheese included and a generous shaving of parmesan on top.  Indeed, the croquettes were crispy, hot and delicious an unexpected treat on an already rich dish. But, the risotto itself was a bit hard for my taste. Of course, I realize the barley and spelt based risottos generally have a harder shell so has more of a bite, but these grains hadn't split at all so it just tasted like I was eating kernels of grain in a cheese sauce. Perhaps if they were cooked a bit more or mixed in some rice the dish would have been better as the flavours were certainly there.
My main of halibut (£24) was cooked well and another colourful presentation.  Although it was good, I found the protein to be overshadowed by the pickled vegetable garnishes accompanying the main which were so vibrant in flavour.  Every time I had a taste of the vegetables and then went back to the fish, the halibut tasted really bland.  Now, this isn’t necessarily bad as there is some contrast, but just seems to be a shame that the main part of the dish gets lost. It was served with a lemongrass foam but found this didn't add much in terms of flavour. 
The black rectangle on the fish is actually a piece of squid ink pasta; a bit mushy and not flavourful at all which is strange as squid ink tends to offer such a distinct aroma.  The highlight of the dish, for me, was two slices of carrots which were wrapped around chopped up pieces of either fish or scallop with micro dices of pickled radish.  These garnishes were such a great combination of tartness and silkiness of seafood that I wish there was more of them.

The pan roasted hake fillet (£21) that my husband ordered was definitely the better dish of the two and exhibited a fusion of Asian and French flavours. It had the flavourful crispy skin, which I adore with a piece of plain fish, surrounded by a fragrant sesame ginger broth.  A side of purple mash included was smooth and had an interesting potato flavour mixed with what seemed like black sesame and red bean.  Topping the fish was a lobster tagliatelle made into a dumpling form - sadly my husband polished this before I had a taste.
Normally, I am not a big dessert fan but heard about their peanut butter cheesecake (£7.50) and had to try it.  The dessert consisted of layers of pressed peanut butter and smooth cheese cake piped between peanut butter sheets.  A large piece of dark chocolate peanut bark topped everything and had a hint of saltiness giving the cake a sweet and savoury aspect to it but not overwhelmingly so.  
As if this were not enough a warm syrupy caramel sauce is brought to the table and poured around the cake itself adding such a delicious buttery toffee taste to everything.  Thankfully, the sauce wasn't too sweet and was just enough to complement the already decadent dessert.  A white log decorates the cake and at first we put it to the side thinking it was a regular run of the milk while chocolate cylinder.  When we finally tasted it we were delighted to find it ice cold and creamy in texture going so well with the warm sauce.  I believe it might have been a frozen white chocolate gouache?  This dessert was absolutely delicious and worth all the hype it receives.  During our visit, it wasn't on the regular menu and only offered as part of the market menu.  Thankfully, the chef was accommodating and made it for us anyways.  Mr. Greenaway, put it back on your menu!

Perhaps it was due to our late seating and there were no other diners around, but the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, not only taking the time to chat with us but explain some facts of Scotland to us.  Overall, the experience was a great one and Mark Greenaway is worth a visit. They also offer a great deal with the special market menu, available from 5:30-6:45 offering 2 courses for £16.50 or 3 courses for £20.

 Overall mark - 8.5 out of 10

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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

CLOSED: Castle Terrace (Edinburgh)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Address: 33/35 Castle Terrace
Type of Meal: Dinner

When we visited on a Friday evening, it was a packed house at Castle Terrace; with its laid back atmosphere (for a Michelin restaurant) the dining room was humming with conversation and laughter. Unfortunately, tables are placed fairly close together so you wouldn't want to speak too loudly or risk disrupting your neighbours, but does offer the opportunity to check out what everyone else is ordering.


The amuse bouche for the evening followed a comfort food theme.  The trio consisted of a crab meat ravioli, miniature slider and a liquid Caesar salad.  The crispy ravioli and slider were pretty looking and tasted good, but the most inventive and delicious of the three was the small Caesar salad capsule, which we were instructed to eat in one bite.  As soon as you bite into the half dome, your taste buds are greeted with a blast of garlic sauce.  When paired with the smooth jelly dome and crispy crouton on the bottom, you can certainly see why the chef describes this as a Caesar salad.

Next, arrived an espresso cup filled with the chef's take on a baked potato - smooth cheesy mashed potatoes top with disc of more potatoes (?) and a hint of bacon dust.  As tasty as creamy mashed potatoes can be, but we were still reminiscing about the liquid salad.

As soon as the seared scallops (£19) were placed in front of me, I knew I was in for a good meal. They were a fair size with a beautiful crust that even Mr. Ramsey would be proud of and just cooked so that the middle held a bit of the translucence.  I wouldn’t have imagined making scallops Indian style, but Castle Terrace topped theirs with a light curry sauce (poured table side), placed it on a bed of fragrant curried basmati rice and placed a small disc of naan bread beside each.  

There was just so much to try on the dish! The small pieces dotting the left side of the plate were dried pineapple and raisins, not something I like but thankfully they didn't mix it into the rice. I did enjoy the slivers of fresh coconut topping each scallop adding a light crunchy slaw to each delicate Orkney scallop.  This is certainly as dish you have to try if you like flavourful seafood.

On the other hand, my main of seared hampe of beef (£25) was back to a more traditional offering. Yet, it was presented in an extraordinary fashion and made me sit back for a moment and just take it in before diving into taste it.  From left to right on the plate, a piece of roasted carrot & spring onion, slices of the beef sitting on top of a phyllo pastry filled with crispy ox tongue and lastly a sweet potato mash rectangle filled with bordelaise sauce, mini carrots and a ravioli filled with beef jus (?).

At first, I found the beef to be a bit tough, only to realize when searching "hampe" later for this blog that it was a synonym for skirt steak.  In this case, the beef was actually cooked wonderfully as it was quite tender for this cut of meat and the dish provided a good portion of it. The pastilla (phyllo wrapped ox tongue) was also fairly large and quite delicious. For anyone who has ever had the Chinese pork floss (often found wrapped in glutinous rice or topping congee) the ox tongue had that texture but was moistened with sauce.  Although the flavour was fairly condensed, it didn't have a hint of offal to it and just resembled a gamier beef like bison.

Meanwhile, my husband ordered off of their seasonal menu starting with the crab (£17) which arrived cannelloni style piped into thin shavings of avocado. It was a refreshing dish, much lighter than my scallops, with diced mango and roasted red pepper mixed into the crab filling.  Certainly delicious and beautiful but I did not have order’s remorse.

Being adventurous, he ordered the special of the night, grouse (£33; a type of wild fowl), for his main.  You could tell that these weren't raised on a farm as the menu even warned that the game based dishes "could have traces of shot" in it.  Generally, I'm a fan of gamier tasting meats but even I could not warm up to this dish - breast or leg.  It was either the bird or the bread sauce but there was an unappetizing bitter taste in the dish.  

The only bearable part was the pan fried gnocchi sitting under the legs, served separately, but even these were slightly tainted with a gross aftertaste. My husband ate it and enjoyed it as an "experience" but agreed my beef was the better choice.

Luckily, the meal for him ended off on a sweet note when we ordered the caramel soufflé (£11) to share. Made to order, it arrived at the table towering over the ramekin.  Castle Terrace takes the cake for the most beautiful soufflé I’ve seen. Our server scored the soufflé and then poured a warm dark chocolate sauce on top so that it soaked into the middle.  A generous portion of honeycomb (or what you may know as sponge - the crunchy sweet candy in the middle of a Crunchie bar) and scoop of vanilla bean ice cream topped everything.

The dessert was positively decadent and made to be shared as we couldn't nearly have eaten it to ourselves.  The soufflé was airy and moist and undoubtedly the best sweet version I've ever had. Normally, I prefer my soufflés on the drier side, but even with the addition of the dark chocolate syrup and melting ice cream the structure still remained intact.  The honeycomb was also a smart choice adding a crunchy contrast to the smooth soufflé.
It appears that both of the Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh we visited have some sort of table side cart.  When my husband ordered a scotch (some year of Lagavulin for £11.50) the waiter wheeled over an entire whisky cart and poured it table side - perhaps to entice the other patrons and a great conversation starter.


 Coffee or tea, served with petit fours, will set you back £4.95. During our visit, the selection consisted of a pistachio cream cookie sandwich, a coconut chocolate macaroon and a chocolate filled with pineapple jam.  After such a delicious soufflé all were a bit of a disappointment and a bit sweet.

Castle Terrace did have their service down pat.  Despite being more laid back and casual than Martin Wishart, the servers just had a bit more polish. For example, they remembered my water preference (ice) compared to my other dinner companions (sparkling at £4.50/bottle) without having to be reminded.  It’s these little things that make all the difference.

I did notice a random £1 "charity" charge added onto the bill.  It's unclear what this is exactly for, but after shelling out so much for a meal what's another £1? And perhaps it's a way of having diners look back at the meal without guilt... sure I've splurged and ingested quite a number of calories from the decadent dishes, but in the end I helped someone out so surely all that would be negated right?

Overall mark - 8.5 out of 10

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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester (London)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: London, England
Address: 53 Park Lane (in the Dorchester Hotel)
Website: http://www.alainducasse-dorchester.com/
Type of Meal: Lunch
Alain Ducasse embodies luxury with beautifully set tables (complete with a private one behind a curtain of gemstones), attentive service (someone greets you in the lobby and guides you to the washrooms to ensure you find them) and the mountain of warm gougères brought out as soon as you sit down.  After all, you wouldn’t want your guests going hungry between ordering and getting bread!  We couldn’t stop ourselves from gorging on these delicious light-as-air cheese puffs while browsing through the menu and admiring the beautiful place settings.



A special lunch menu (£55) is offered Tuesday to Friday that includes three courses, two glasses of wine (chosen from 2012 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Blanc, 2010 Laurent Tribut Chablis, 2007 Domaine Montirius Vacqueyras Les Closes or 2008 Château Bernadotte Haut- Médoc), ½ bottle of mineral water and coffee or tea.
Aside from the gougères, you’re offered a selection from a brimming bread basket including mini baguettes, olive bread, bacon brioche, twists and many others I can’t remember.  The trend of excess continues on – would you like salted butter, unsalted butter or cream cheese blended with whipped cream for your bread?
Afterwards, a metallic egg shaped dish arrives filled with a cold tomato gelee topped with a chive and sour cream sorbet and bits of shallots (?).  It was simple yet refreshing and invigorated the taste buds from the previous carbs. 

My starter was on the heavier side with the deconstructed croque-madame. Slices of toasted brioche topped with finely diced ham and aged cheese were the perfect size to dip into the warm, creamy, cheesy, runny scrambled egg mixture served in cute eggshells.  The dish was a cheese extravaganza; even the small dish of salad had a generous serving of it! Alain Ducasse certainly took this comfort food classic and added a touch of elegance and flair to it.    
My husband loved his chestnut velouté with snails, which is essentially a thicker soup. It was the sweet and salty combination that I’m not a fan of.  Even so, I had a taste and the creamy chowder consistency chestnut soup along with plump snails was decent.   
His main of beef made and served in a cookpot, a signature cooking method of Mr. Ducasse, was absolutely delicious with the delicate slices of tender beef layered with various root vegetables.  Having been braised slowly, all the juices condensed down to a flavourful sauce that was absolutely wonderful.  I wouldn’t have expected a “fancy” restaurant to serve such a hearty dish (and such a large portion as well).

For my main, I could not pass up the lobster and crab squid ink cannelloni; anything that has lobster in it immediately gets my attention!  The pasta was a thin tube containing tons of the lobster and crab mixture within.  The filling was smooth but still held up its shape and had noticeable bits of the lobster strewn throughout.  Overall, although not the most memorable dish, was still delectable.  Honestly, it’s really hard for it to stand out compared to all the strongly flavoured dishes previously served. But, sometimes your taste buds need a bit of a break and enjoy the naturalness of the seafood essence.

By now I’m absolutely stuffed and thankful that there’s only one more dish to go.  Thinking the contemporary vacherin may be the lightest option, I go with it.  Scoops of strawberry and champagne sorbet appear in a vibrant green bowl with medallions of meringues, thinly sliced dried strawberries and raspberry puree.  The dessert was a well-balanced dessert of sweetness & tartness and smoothness & crunch.


 
Despite not being able to finish my own dessert, I had to try a spoon of my husband’s passion fruit rice pudding.  It was an interesting combination of the traditional rich and creamy pudding with the tartness of the fruit. After the copious amount of food ingested earlier, I found the rice to be a bit heavy. 


To finish off the meal, I ordered a green tea in hopes of aiding in digestion.  But then, with our tea & coffee arrived a bowl of macarons, a dish of cocoa powder covered almonds, candies of caramels & nougats and a platter of chocolates!  Most restaurants offer a selection of petit fours, but Alain Ducasse’s offering brought it to a whole new level.  I had a small bite of the macarons (delicate and moist but a bit sweet), an almond (a good contrast of bitterness) and nougat (so soft and delicious).  There was no way I could taste them all (sorry chocolates and caramels), but was wonderful that so many choices were offered.

The lunch hour menu at Alain Ducasse is the embodiment of extravagance and overindulgence and perfect for a special occasion.  Indeed, their location is ideal with the beautiful Hyde Park beside it and set in a luxury hotel; after all, right after this meal all you want to do is have a lazy stroll and then take a nap.  

Overall mark - 8 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



CLOSED: Carmen (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Type of Meal: Dinner
Address: 922 Queen Street West

 Having visited Barcelona last year, I’ve been experiencing pangs of withdrawal for their delicious and fresh small plates.  Undeniably, there’s been a rise in Spanish restaurants in Toronto over the last year, but most are a bit “trendy” and over-priced for my liking.  What I enjoy most about Catalonian dining is the casual vibe … just walk-in, stop for a drink and a couple of small dishes then continue on your way and repeat this grazing throughout the day.  Décor tends to be simple, you don’t need reservations weeks in advance and you certainly aren’t expected to dress up for a bowl of olives. 

 My foodie prayers were answered when I heard about Carmen. Finally, a place I can go to and eat, rather than to “be seen”!  Of course, Carmen still isn’t as casual as Barcelona – reservations are recommended and the seating is much more spacious and comfortable.  But, the buzzing atmosphere and approachable staff brings back a taste of the easier life.


Before going to Spain, I thought I loved paella (from the delicious Toronto experiences).  But, when I actually tried it (refer to the 7Portes experience), I was disappointed.  Perhaps, my taste buds have been “westernized”, but what’s not the like about fluffy rice and large pieces of well-cooked seafood? 

The paella del Carmen ($35) is the perfect example of why I love Toronto’s take – plump grains of flavourful rice that’s just saucy enough to resemble a drier risotto.  Unfortunately, we were too excited and dove right into the dish on its arrival that there wasn’t a chance for it to develop a crust. Otherwise, having some of those crunchy nutty bits would have made it even better.  A significant amount of shrimp, clams, mussels, chorizo, chicken and scallops were dotted on top and throughout the rice and they were done well – just cooked and absolutely no rubbery seafood here!  Large leaves of fresh basil topped everything which was unexpected but adds brightness to the flavours.   



We also ordered several tapas to share.  The fried artichokes ($7) are extremely simple – battered, tossed with some salt and drizzled with aioli.  You can’t go wrong with these hot crunchy pieces.  Carmen should consider serving the aioli on the side as I found it to be a bit overpowering and would have liked to have the option of tasting the artichokes by itself.


The layered fried green tomato ($7) arrived cutely presented in its full tomato form.  These harder and tarter pieces of crispy tomatoes were delicious and extremely flavourful with the addition of feta and roasted red pepper corn chutney.   


We didn’t only eat fried dishes; to balance the above there was the kale salad ($10). Kale by itself can be quite plain, but the salad was well flavoured with the addition of ricotta, vinaigrette and pine nuts.  A deep fried poached mini egg topped it off (okay so there was maybe more fried stuff on this), and the runny yolk was smooth mixed with everything. Overall, was enjoyable and a good healthy contrast to the rest of our dishes.


The jicama shells filled with guacamole ($6) was a nice surprise with its pleasant presentation and burst of citrusy flavour hitting the tongue.  The creamy guacamole went well with the natural crispiness of the jicama (a root vegetable that’s similar to a potato) shell.  I loved my first experience with the thinly slice root vegetable – there’s a freshness of it yet is still slightly starchy.


Carmen’s beef tartare ($12?) arrives with the quail egg still in shell, which is a playful presentation allowing you to pour it on yourself.  The dish arrives with a decent portion of the tartare, which in itself is good but lacks something.  Perhaps it was because the other dishes were so flavourful that the tartare in contrast was sort of bland, but once you add a smear of the grainy mustard onto it everything intensified. However, more bread is really required!  It’s great a good portion size, but the four pieces of small crostini is simply not enough.
Carmen’s dessert menu isn’t extensive with just three options.  We decided to get two orders of the jicama cheesecake ($9) given how delicious the jicama shells were and had an interest in seeing how it would be used in a dessert.  The outcome is a cheesecake that’s thick yet not overly dense.  We enjoyed the blueberry jelly topping on the cake, which was prettier and tastier than the typical sauce.


That night we shared wine, but one guest tried the Carmen ($12) cocktail.  It’s certainly a nice looking drink with a striking egg white foam topping.  A mixture of gin, amaro (a herbal liquer), lime and cranberry bitters, the drink has an easy-going taste without being syrupy.
Indeed, you may be able to find better versions of their dishes at competing restaurants.  But, I’m not sure you can find it at Carmen’s price points and served with such friendliness.  Regrettably, I forgot to pick up the itemized bill before leaving so don’t know the name of the waitress we had that night (a pretty blonde).  But, she was such a pleasure; always attentive, pleasant and around to answer any questions we had.  My whole experience with Carmen was great that it’s definitely worth a return visit.   

 Overall mark - 8 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

Is That It? I Want More!

Other Gastro World posts similar to this:


Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (London)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: London, England
Address: 68 Royal Hospital Road
Website: http://www.gordonramsay.com/royalhospitalroad/
Type of Meal: Lunch
Since Hell’s Kitchen aired in 2005, I’ve wanted to eat at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.  The show portrays a chef that’s committed to excellence with kitchens churning out traditional but delicious looking dishes.  Hence, during our visit to London, I knew I had to visit his namesake restaurant – Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.  It’s no easy feat to earn a Michelin star accolade, let alone receive three of them and hold the standing for over ten years (started in 2001). If there was ever a place to experience Mr. Ramsay, his Royal Hospital Road establishment would be it. Of course, with his busy celebrity life, he doesn’t actually cook there anymore; rather, he’s left Chef Clare Smyth in charge.  But, he must have some hand in designing the menu and this would be my chance to try his brilliance.


So, as quickly as I could, I signed up online for a reservation at this 45 seat restaurant months in advance. Although I wouldn’t have dreamt of missing the sitting, you’re required to provide them with a credit card to secure the spot and be charged a hefty fine if you don’t show up.

On the day of the meal, we show up 15 minutes early and found the door locked with several other patrons waiting outside.  For a restaurant that specifies we must be ready to be seated at the time of our reservation, it’s a bit strange that they wouldn’t open up a little earlier to let people in.  About five minutes from our reservation time, the door finally unlocks and we’re greeted warmly and whisked in the intimate dining room. 

The dining area is small with all the tables situated in a square room and fairly close together - to the point that the staff need to move tables for some guests to get in and out which is unexpected for fine dining.  The chairs were plush and cozy but I could only imagine if a heavier set person were to sit in them they may find it fairly snug.

Not long after being seated, the manager arrives asking our table who is hosting.  Finding this to be a strange question, we offered up my husband’s father nonetheless.  It wasn’t until reading other blogger experiences that I realized they only print prices in the host’s menu, with the thought of allowing the other guests to order without apprehension.  The manager also came by later to speak to us and brief us on a bit about the restaurant’s history and answer any questions we may have, a great personal touch.

Gordon Ramsay’s lunch menu offers two three-course options – a set lunch (£55) or an a la carte (£95).  The set lunch’s choices are more limited, but our waiter advised that we could mix and match as we wanted with a slight supplement if we ordered the set lunch and wanted to substitute with something off the a la carte. This freedom is certainly appreciated with one guest substituting his dessert (no extra charge) and another substituting the main for the truffle pasta special of the day (supplement of £35).  The extra charge for pasta may seem steep, but Gordon Ramsay did provide a generous portion of the white truffle, which arrived in a box and freshly shaved on top of the creamy linguine with mushrooms.  Although I didn’t try the dish, my mother-in-law noted that the pasta was great with the truffle blending deliciously into the decadent creamy sauce.

We were first offered a selection of breads so I selected the sourdough and bacon brioche which other reviewers seem to rave about. Honestly, it was pretty run-of-the-mill bread, for a delicious bread basket Scarpetta is by far still my favourite.

Our amuse for the day was a cold refreshing tomato consommé laced with delicate pieces of tomatoes, frozen nitrogen cream and little dots of dill oil. It was a simple but invigorating way to wake up the taste buds.

My husband and I ordered off of the different menus with me getting the lunch (£55) and him the a la carte (£95) to allow us the ability to compare.  Mine began with the tartlet of confit salmon. Upon its arrival, the dish looked anything but a tartlet with it being so big.  The crust was wonderfully delicate and crispy made from phyllo dough rather than pastry. Cool shavings of fennel lined the base adding a fresh salad to the dish.  Numerous pieces of perfectly poached salmon sat on top along with sweet grilled peppers, thinly slice radishes and a soft boiled quail egg. Dots of basil dressing decorated the dish and added further flavour to the lightly seasoned tart. This was my favourite dish from my menu and this easily can be offered as a standalone main at any of Gordon Ramsay’s other restaurants.

After such a flawless start the miso glazed cod was a bit of a let-down. Don’t get me wrong, all the individual ingredients were cooked perfectly – the fish flakey, squid tender, shitake mushrooms meaty and Shanghai bok choy crispy. Rather, the black quinoa and lapsang souchong broth were throwing me off.  I didn’t realize that black quinoa isn’t fluffy but rather harder, more granular and has a nutty flavour; in the end, resembling sesame seeds.  Somehow, I just didn’t like the grainy texture with the cod. Lapsang souchong is essentially a Chinese smoked black tea which in itself doesn’t have much flavour – in Chinese cooking it’s often mixed with soy sauce or other ingredients rather than being by itself.  The dish did have some miso with it, but I didn’t find it pronounce enough so the fish just seemed like it was sitting in a strong tea broth which was slightly bland.

On the other hand, my husband’s experience with his menu was the complete opposite. His appetizer of seafood ravioli certainly looked promising when it was presented - a single oversized plump ravioli sitting in a sorrel velouté and bisque sauce with a dollop of expensive oscietra caviar on top. The ravioli was wonderful with its thin pasta dough barely containing a hefty mixture of lobster, langoustine (aka prawns/shrimp) and salmon. But the sorrel sauce, a leafy herb, has an acquired taste and personally we found the acidic tang slightly off putting.  I know Michelin star chefs need to be inventive and use little known ingredients, but really, I would have much rather the ravioli just be paired with a simple cream sauce, maybe laced with some truffle oil.

But, his main of pig done five ways more than made up for the lackluster starter.  Distinct portions of each are laid out on a white plate with a simple jus connecting everything.  Starting from left to right was a roasted loin/chop? very tender and went well with the smooth, thick and caramel like apple sauce.  The cute cabbage roll was another traditional but tasty portion to the offerings.  Where the dish shone was suckling pig, so crispy yet light it can certainly stand up to the Chinese and Catalonian versions I’ve had in my life.  Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten much about the next style other than it having a squashed potato underneath it. Lastly, was a sausage which was plump and juicy having just a hint of spice (this also went well with the smashed potato).

Before dessert was brought out, we were treated to slim glasses of passion fruit milk shake to cleanse the palate. I especially enjoyed the glass straws sitting within the thick liquid.

My dessert, a take on the classic banana, peanut butter and chocolate mixture, was delicious.  Each part of the dish was unassuming but went well together and allowed you to mix and match the sweetness of the caramelized bananas with the paper thin dark chocolate sheets.  The middle log appeared to be a banana and vanilla ice cream rolled into a nutty toffee mixture.  Lastly, a scoop of rich peanut butter mousse rounds out everything having a slight saltiness to it.  

The apple tarte tatin my husband and father-in-law shared was much more impressive arriving table side still warm in the pan.  It’s cut in half and then placed onto a caramel drizzle decorated plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.  The flakey pastry was soaked with butter and sweet thin caramel with a generous portion of soft apples in the middle. This was my first taste of the dessert and I love this indulgent take on the apple tart / upside down cake.

Before we moved onto coffee, a silver dish was brought out and when the dome lifted truffles of white chocolate strawberry ice cream sat amongst billowing dry ice. The sweet in itself really isn’t anything spectacular – cold strawberry ice cream encased in a crisp white chocolate crust – but the presentation is certainly exhilarating.  Gordon Ramsay was nice enough to bring another dome just so the one guest who away from the table when the first was brought out could experience it for themselves.

Rosewater Turkish delights and chocolate truffle squares were the petit fours accompanying our coffee and tea. Since I was stuffed by this point, I only tried the Turkish delight which was delicate yet had such a powerful rosewater taste… it’s an acquired taste that I liked.  Thankfully, they weren’t too sugary and were a great last bite.

 
Visiting Restaurant Gordon Ramsay was one of the most anticipated parts of my trip. So much so that I planned this restaurant last so that its magnificence wouldn’t overshadow everything else we tried. Regrettably, I really didn’t need to worry about this happening; overall, Gordon Ramsay was good but really not as magical as I had built it up to be in my mind. But, at least a foodie dream has been satisfied! Although, if anyone can tell me how to get a reservation for the one of Hell’s Kitchen’s final episodes, I can be enticed to try Mr. Ramsay’s creations again.     

Overall mark - 7 out of 10

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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



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