Showing posts with label michelin starred dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michelin starred dining. Show all posts

Sunday, 2 October 2011

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Yesterday was a very chillax anniversary day. We didn't do much during the day, but we did manage to venture outside the house for lunch. I finally got my itch scratched for a perfect bowl of ramen noodles
T had the bbq beef in this amazing marinade. It was about as delicious as it looks. I snuck in a few bites- nom nom nom!!
I ordered the seafood ramen with white rice. If I followed a cheat day, I would definitely be eating this. Give me plain packet ramen noodles any day!
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/restaurants/restaurant-3775.php

I had one of the most fun and delicious dining experiences last night at Joel Robuchon, a two-starred Michelin restaurant. They do a very reasonable pre- theatre menu for £29 and the choice of appetizer, main, and dessert was excellent.

As soon as we walked in to the restaurant, on a bustling Covent Garden street, I felt as if we were transported to another place and time. Sitting in the open kitchen area, we watched the chefs masterfully at work. I told T that I felt sort of like an intruder looking in since they were so professional and rarely acknowledged us, the patrons all lined up in front of them.
We started with this amuse bouche that tasted like a tuna sandwich but in moose form. YUM!

eeewww.. I brought my phone out so I could be subtle about taking pictures but that left for really ugly photos. It was sad really but I would rather have these then no photos at all! They made me a really delicious fruit cocktail. For £6, it had better be delicious! ;-)
T likes to order beers that he's never tried before or that is special to the restaurant, so he was a bit surprised when the waiter brought out this standard London meantime beer.
My appetizer was an egg cocotte in light mushroom cream. This was a light, creamy broth with a generous portion of mushrooms and an unidentifiable green gel like substance that was served with a small toasted crouton. It was really unique and super tasty. I had no idea what egg cocotte was when I first ordered it but I trusted that it was going to be different and delicious. So glad I ordered it!
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/eggs/eggs-en-cocotte.html
T had the chichory tart with an apple and vanilla compote.
I had a small bite with all the components on the plate and it was delicious.
Mmmm.. another picture of silky perfection.
My main was guinea fowl with bacon bits, mushrooms, and butternut squash puree. The meat was PERFECTLY cooked and had a really wonderful flavor to it. It wasn't gamey at all. The butternut squash complemented the meat wonderfully.
T had the spaghetti with roasted tomatoes, and olives. His only complaint was that there wasn't enough food, and I would have to agree.
they served us creamy parsnips as a side. "These are the best parsnips I've ever had!"- T
for dessert, we both ordered the strawberry eclaire with pistachio cream. Pistachio+fresh strawberries+crispy marzipan like topping, and a fluffy pastry= heaven on a plate!!
oh and don't forget the pure vanilla bean ice cream!
Yes, I was the crazy psycho taking multiple pictures of her dessert. I didn't even pretend to be texting on my phone!
Even though I was super full, I could have definitely housed another one of these bad boys!
After dinner, we came home to Sonoma snuggles and some Glee. What a day!

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Club Gascon

T took me out to eat for lunch yesterday at Club Gascon to celebrate meeting his target weight for the month. Cheers for meeting goals! I was just happy to celebrate with some great food. Club Gascon is a Michelin starred French restaurant that has a fantastic special August lunch menu for £22!! Gee, doesn't get much better than that.
http://www.clubgascon.com/library/cc_clubseasonsspecials.pdf
I love Michelin starred dining because everything has a spot of elegance to it from the matching cutlery to the beautiful décor and ambiance.
If there’s one thing I don’t like about fancy schmancy dining, it’s the fact that I have to tread very softly with my Bozo feet. Bt dubs- make sure you turn off the flash or else you will be scolded :) oopsie!!  
It's not Michelin starred dining without two different types of butter. In fact, I don't think I've ever been served just regular butter EVA! Ahh... the refinement once again! We had foie gras butter to the right and salted yummy butter on the left.
I forgot what this was but I accidentally tried eating it by itself before T stopped me and told me it's some type of butter. HA!
All of my favorite things: clams, mussels, crispy kale, and oyster chantilly. This starter was FANTASTIC!
T had an extra touch of gluten on his plate that mine didn't have: squid ink toasts
The restaurant was very accommodating when I told them I was avoiding gluten. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when they brought out the most lovely gluten free white toast! I happily munched away on two pieces :)
fish of the day with cauliflower cous cous and citrus vinaigrette
I loved the mock cauliflower cous cous! If you don't like cauliflower, you'd probably be disappointed by not having a starch. I, on the other hand, enjoyed it because it was tasty and gluten free! The fish was some type of cod family fish that was cooked perfectly and had a meaty texture to it. The citrus vinaigrette in the middle was a delicious dipping companion with everything.
sigh.. this was about the time when someone told me to turn off my flash. Booo for bad picture quality!!
Dessert for ME was a passion fruit and lemon posset with honey meringues. This was my least favorite dish. I thought everything tasted too sweet and warm. I think something cold would have been a nice contrast to the  warm passion fruit and lemon posset. I took a few bites and left the rest on the plate. Cute presentation though.
Coffee and armagnac granite, milky almond and smoked chocolate cigar for HIM.
Yesterday's dinner was quinoa (home) and takeaway turkish kebabs (chicken, lamb, and veggies)
My lovely two dipping sauces! I love the contrasting taste of the spicy red sauce with the garlicy white sauce. Yum!
After dinner, I watched some True Blood and read Optimum Nutrition in bed. I'm still plugging away--- the book is huge!!
His and Hers bowls of oats
speculoos oatmeal
GF oats with dark chocolate chips and almond butter swirl for breakfast.

Agenda: patiently waiting for this afternoon's PUNCH class, teach Zumba, finally go out salsa dancing again - love :)

this movie looks so good!
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1103731737/