We’ve been so busy over the last few months that we’ve neglected our favourite restaurants… Now that we’re back in London, Alyn Williams was front and centre of our hit list, and there’s nothing nicer than finding out what’s new on Alyn’s menu {or checking out London’s only Michelin~starred glittery carpet}.
The menu holds a perfect combination of rich umami dishes alongside light and fragrant ones – particularly nice for me as a non-meat eater… That’s not to say that Hubby didn’t receive is fair share of protein, but we were particularly impressed by the bright notes, which revived the palate and provided contrast to the depth of some of the dishes.
Giancarlo, the utterly charming restaurant manager, was front and centre as always, and the room was relaxed but buzzing. Still ridiculously good value at £70 for a 7 course tasting menu, it’s one of the five restaurants I recommend the most for those looking for a fine-dining treat. Even better, at lunch time you can have three courses for £30!
My favourite dishes on this occasion were the cauliflower cheese {divine}, the rhubarb dessert, and the mint and chocolate – the mint being particularly clean against the rich chocolate. No need for umami overkill, the dishes were nuanced and full of flavour.
Langoustine, sand carrot, blood orange and carrot jelly with a crème fraîche bavarois, blood oranges, dates, cashew, garam masala
Blow-torched mackerel, buckweed, sea urchin, miso, buckwheat ‘chop suey’, dashi
Miso eel, beetroot, hispi cabbage, celeriac, cream cheese
Cauliflower cheese, croutons, winter truffle
Sea bass, truffle, burnt pear, braised and grilled red and white endive, salsify, frisée, vanilla purée
Kale crisps, cauliflower, hispi cabbage, greek yoghurt, barbecue sauce
Crème caramel, rhubarb granita, poached rhubarb
Chocolate, mint snow, crème fraiche, chocolate soil