The ambience is lovely and the staff are too – really friendly and
welcoming.
After being seated in the private dining room, your attention is
drawn to two bowls, each containing what look like four extra strong
mints. You are warned that these lozenges are not to be eaten –
watch this space.
Having chosen our particular lunch menu ahead, the final order takes
no time at all – the only outstanding choice is mine – the
vegetarian main – which was to be decided upon, on the day – all
will be revealed!
It's difficult to know where to look for fear of missing something.
Appetisers are brought in – a board with Pain de Campagne (a
perfect combination of the lightest bread texture with a crust to die
for) and whipped salted butter – rock salt in a tiny pyramid for
those who indulge – the simplest things in life are the best. Then
there are bowls which have hot pebbles in the base, keeping the
potato ball and a savoury, seeded tuile warm.
The “mint” mystery is about to be solved – hot water is poured
into the bowls and magically four tiny white pillars rise and turn
into hot gauze hand towels – genius – there's nothing like a spot
of theatre to get your attention.
The
majority of our party chose the beetroot mousse with horseradish
crumble and salted beetroot – you've probably heard the expression,
“a thing of beauty is a joy forever” (John
Keats) -
entirely fitting in this instance it was almost a shame to spoil it
by eating it – almost!
It gets better ...
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