One of many UK’s most famous cooks, Rick Stein, has a single restaurant within the capital – and I made a decision to place its delicacies to the take a look at.
Rick Stein, one of many UK’s most famous cooks, might not have the identical London footprint as fellow culinary giants like Gordon Ramsay. However he does personal a single, extremely esteemed restaurant located on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes.
With the festive season in full swing I made a decision to attempt their Christmas set menu and decide if this Padstow icon’s delicacies lives as much as its acclaim.
Following my commonplace evaluation construction, I evaluated the principle course, dessert, and accompanying wine (or non-alcoholic various for these behind the wheel).
Upon moving into the warmly illuminated restaurant, we have been welcomed by the calming melodies of a pianist and escorted to our desk by the window, providing a pleasant view over the Thames the place we noticed rowers coaching underneath the evening sky.
Of all of the eating places I’ve had the pleasure of critiquing this 12 months, this one unquestionably supplied one of the best view, even amidst the darkness. I can solely envision how coveted these tables can be in the course of the summer season months.
For my important, it appeared solely applicable to pick fish at a Rick Stein institution. I opted for the braised fillet of haddock with chestnut mushrooms and roasted chestnuts from the set menu.
The festive set menu is priced at £44 for 2 programs or £50 for 3. Curiously, my eating accomplice, who selected to not go for the Christmas menu, ended up with a smaller invoice on the finish of the night.
The haddock was served in beneficiant parts and enhanced with the inclusion of mushrooms, chestnuts, and a complementary sauce. The well-spiced dish was accompanied by a full-bodied white burgundy that supplied candy notes on the end, leading to a harmonious pairing.
For dessert, I opted for the merely titled Yuletide Log. This festive favorite is often a Swiss roll cake stuffed with cream and formed right into a log. However the model I acquired, whereas sizeable, was devoid of cream.
It wasn’t a big problem, however the dessert felt relatively dense and extra akin to a grocery store buy than a meticulously ready pudding. It wasn’t unpalatable, simply unexpectedly disappointing. Luckily, the potent, revitalising mint tea I ordered with the dessert helped to offset among the richness.
In abstract, Rick Stein’s sole London institution is general a praiseworthy restaurant. The environment is heat and welcoming, and the important thing fish dishes actually reside as much as the status they carry.
The service on the night we dined was environment friendly and attentive, barring a minor dessert-related mishap. Primarily based on the general expertise, it is actually value a second go to and can be a wonderful selection for a dinner date.
As for the meals itself, the fish dish was a hit, however the yuletide log didn’t ignite my style buds. If I have been to summarise the expertise in three phrases, they might be: homely, relaxed, and premium.
