Sunday 22 July 2018

Matt Worswick at The Latymer #MichelinStar

Good things come to those who wait. I first became aware of Chef Matt Worswick early in 2014 when I was invited by a PR company to The Warehouse in Southport, who had just appointed Matt with much fanfare. Of course, being the rarest of breed ‘an un-grabby blogger’, I politely declined the invitation but had every intention of going at some point as a full paying customer. Sadly, he’d moved on before I made time to visit. 

The press release at the time sung of Matt’s experience and accomplishments, which included stints at several Michelin starred restaurants, such as Le Champignon Sauvage under Everitt-Matthias, St Martin’s on the Isles of Scilly under Kenny Atkinson and under Simon Hulstone at the Elephant in Torquay. At the age of 26, Matt was awarded his first Michelin star, whilst at Glenapp Castle in Scotland. 

After a stint at the Wirral’s Thornton Hall Hotel (which I also failed to visit), I think it’s fair to say that a few eyebrows in culinary circles were raised when Matt was appointed head chef at the two Michelin starred The Latymer to fill the huge shoes vacated by Michael Wignall. When Michelin removed the two stars a few months later, I'm sure was not the fairy-tale ending for which everyone had initially hoped. 

However, Matt and his team dusted themselves off, pulled up their boots and worked their socks off to be awarded a star in their own right in the 2017 red guide. To me this shows great strength of character (which we also saw on TV’s Great British Menu) and respect goes to The Latymer for believing in and sticking with their man. 

The meal was exceptionally great value and service was of the highest calibre. Star dishes for us were the very good risotto and exceptional scallop dish.  


Parmesan Gougeres


Sourdough with butter and pork fat butter


Colchester Oyster – oyster emulsion, cured sea trout & sorrel granite


Risotto – wild mushroom risotto, cep & parmesan


Orkney Scallop – seared scallops, spiced Brixham crab, sauce américane & Attilus Oscietra caviar


Goosnargh Duck – roasted breast, Yorkshire rhubarb & confit duck leg croustillant


Raspberry – raspberry & vanilla bavarois, fresh raspberries & elderflower


Chocolate  Chocolate délice, milk crumble & yoghurt sorbet


Mas Amiel  Maury, Lafage, Roussillon, 2014


Canelés


Date of lunch: 21/07/18

Saturday 14 July 2018

Lyle’s, London #MichelinStar #Worlds50Best

A long-time personal fave, I was overjoyed when Lyle’s achieved the accolade of being crowned the 38th Best Restaurant in the World on the 2018 "50 Best" list, (see here).



Bread & Butter


Keat’s Farm Salad Leaves & Berkswell



Cured Trout, Cucumber & Preserved Lemon


Cockles & Sea Purslane



Grilled Peach, Heritage Beans & Parfait



Grilled Trout Head & Fennel Blossom



Peas, Lovage, Sorrel & Ticklemore


Summer Vegetables, Borlotti Beans & Le Coste Olive Oil


Smoked Eel, Potatoes & Sea Aster



Dexter Rib, Little Gem Lettuce & New Season Garlic



Ricotta Ice Cream & Blackcurrant Leaf


Gooseberry & Oat Fool

Date of dinner: Friday 6th July



Sunday 8 July 2018

Chef Michael Bremner’s Murmur - Brighton

Whilst my favourite restaurant in Brighton is undoubtedly Chef Michael Bremner’s small plate restaurant, 64°, the beachfront location of his second venue, adjacent to the West Pier, makes it another top tip of where to eat on the south coast. 



Whilst Murmurare at pains to point out that they are not a seafood restaurant, for someone who, lives inland like me, there’s something irresistible about the prospect of dining al fresco on a sunny day, with a backdrop of sea views and the sound of crashing waves, whilst eating expertly cooked and prepared seafood. 


The lobster croquettes were orbs of sheer delight! 


Poole Bay Oysters – dressed with ponzu


Sardineson sourdough toast with salsa verde


Lobster Croquettes – thermidor mayonnaise, charred lime & crispy kale


Beef Fillet Carpaccio – fresh horseradish, orange, rocket & a spiced walnut crumb


Fresh Tagliatelle – shaved truffle, egg yolk & grated Twineham Grange cheese


Roast Cod – charred cauliflower, brown shrimp butter, parsley purée & almond crumb


Whole Baked Sea Bream – with salsa verde & salad



Seared Chalk Stream Trout – cockle butter & a warm salad of fennel, Jersey Royals & sea herbs


Green Side Salad with grated Twineham Grange cheese


Salted Caramel Mousse – malt ice cream, & chocolate truffle

Date of lunch: 07/07/18

Saturday 7 July 2018

Cornerstone – Hackney Wick

Contrary to popular belief Cornerstoneisn’t simply a seafood restaurant. That said, being a native of Cornwall and a Nathan Outlaw protégé, chef Tom Brown sure can cook… cure… and souse… his way around a fish. 


On the day we dined, there was a token meat dish on the menu too – a braised beef croquette – but this naturally came with an oyster mayonnaise. We ordered the entire menu, which came out well paced for sharing. We were a table of three (2 x normal people + 1 greedy fecker) but it would’ve still been an ample feast for four.


Sourdough Toast, Netherend Farm Butter


Pickled Oyster, Celery, Horseradish, Dill


Raw Bream, Brown Butter, Capers, Lemon


Cured Monkfish, Almond, Grape, Sherry Vinegar


Soused Mackerel, Gooseberry, Cucumber, Seaweed


Cured Salmon, Lime Pickle, Coconut, Coriander


Grilled Hispi Cabbage, Smoked Cod’s Roe



Braised Beef Croquette, Pickled Carrot, Oyster Mayonnaise


Potted Shrimp Crumpet, Kohlrabi, Gherkin, Parsley


Roast Pollock, Café de Paris Hollandaise


Grey Mullet, Roast Chicken Butter Sauce


Octopus Cassoulet, Hog’s Pudding, Beans


Peach Melba Mille Feuille, Clotted Cream


Chocolate Fondant, Cherry, Hazelnut


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Twitter Feed