Dinner by Heston – was an extravagant lunch, not the sort we normally (ever) have. We accepted the invite from Adam and his lady-love Amy with excitement and high expectations from the 2 Michelin star institution. The concept restaurant by the famed Heston Blumenthal and Ashley PalmerWatt had been inspired by historic British gastronomy. Diners at Dinner would cough up serious dough to sample what British aristocracy had been noshing on hundreds of years earlier. We knew we were in for some elaborate food with a serious bill. Would it be worthwhile?
Charlie and I arrived on time. I hate tardiness with a passion. But this time it gave me a moment to realize I was seriously under dressed (totally forgot to get out of kid-romp clothes). As we waited for our friends I looked around the civilized, if not staunch, room feeling a tad uncomfortable. The dining room was packed to the gills with people lunching in style.
Adam and Amy arrived ready to eat. The look of love didn't notice what I was wearing. Besides...Adam wore sneakers and a sweatshirt.
I had their famed starter Meat Fruit (c.1500) - Mandarin, chicken liver & foie gras parfait, grilled bread. A perfect imitation of a mandarin filled with a soft unctuous pate. It was entirely edible (save the leaves) and melted in my mouth. The portion seemed tiny, but was so rich I couldn’t finish it. A glass of Bandol Rose helped cleanse my palate before the next course. I didn't take a pic of my Earl Grey Tea Cured Salmon. It was so small I ate it in a flash. The dish was light, fresh and a bit too perfectly composed for my liking.
Adam's Roast Scallops (c.1820) Cucumber ketchup, purple sprouting broccoli & borage
Here's Charlie's Ragoo of Pigs Ear Chewitt (c.1750) with slow cooked egg, anchovy, onions & parsley. My gut tells me this dish wasn't as composed in 1750.
Alright I'll get to the point. Did I like it? I did, but I didn't love it. We loved the company, but I realize I don't dig highly composed food. There's a wildness I love about fresh, real food. Food made with love and passion isn't the same as food so tight it looks as if it's been composed with a tweezer. The best part of the meal was seeing two people totally into each other. We all shared a gorgeous dessert Tipsy Cake (c.1810). The grilled pineapple and sticky toffee pud was the best bite of the meal.