My First.
Firsts are never forgotten. We all love the thrill of it. Just like many teenagers dream about their first car, first designer handbag, first love, etc. Well, I used to dream too – about my first Michelin-rated meal.
My first peek into the Michelin world was when I watched a documentary on El Bulli on Envoyé spécial. I was in love with the idea that some people are so gifted that they take food to the ‘next level’ and in awe of the chef, Ferran Adrià. El Bulli was IT. I think this an adequate description: ‘El Bulli is undoubtedly the most controversial and experimental restaurant in the world that receives up to 1,000,000 reservation requests a year, where only 8,000 lucky ones get a table.’ [online source] How I wish I was lucky enough! :(
My first visit to a Michelin starred restaurant was for my sister’s birthday, to one of Britain’s most controversial chefs’ restaurant.
1st Michelin Restaurant 15/02/2011 –Tom Aikens Restaurant*, Chelsea
On our way there, we got lost briefly (usual when with the other RJ – don’t give me that look R HAH!)... Once there, the interior was very elegant– the colours were soothing, orchids just perfectly placed (NO, THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL – ahhhhhhhh I need to stop getting carried away!) Just when I was going to mention the cute maitre D’ ;) There was something quite delicate about the whole atmosphere which, later I understood, was the perfect pairing to the food served.
I know what you are thinking – let’s get to the food already! Wish granted:
Bread selection - yum!
Scallops in caramelised onion and beetroot puree: beautiful dish. Does it sound good? No. Does it taste great? Yes!
This plate made me go WOW!. It was literally a garden on a plate and each bite was an explosion of flavours.
My sister's choice for main. The texture was nice, a bit gritty on the outside with sweet carrot and pepper purees. Nicely cooked fish but not my thing - I'm a meat lover :)
Lamb with extremely cheesy gratin - niiiiicee! (but not perfect) The gratin was a bit on the salty side and the delicious sauce was not enough to balance it. Great rub on the lamb and crispy cheese balls though.
This pistachio dessert derserves more than one picture - Why?
It's to die for, the best dessert I've ever had.
The balance of the textures blew my mind. It did not matter if each component was eaten on its own or a mouthful of a little bit of each, it was just amazing. None of the desserts I have tried at other restaurants has been able to top this.. yet. but yes, BEAUTIFUL!
The balance of the textures blew my mind. It did not matter if each component was eaten on its own or a mouthful of a little bit of each, it was just amazing. None of the desserts I have tried at other restaurants has been able to top this.. yet. but yes, BEAUTIFUL!
This passion fruit dessert was tangy (I made the funniest expressions because of this - imagine!) but so well balanced with respect to the meal - a great palette cleanser and a nice ending to the meal.
Voilà! 7 course menu with petit fours à la fin. Note that there were no pictures of the dainty madeleines as they were straight from the oven and so I could not afford wasting time taking a picture! J (What the tummy wants really quickly, it gets!)
Lessons of the day:
- Aikens is not just an eye candy. He combines so many different flavours and textures in his food and the end result is a series of stunning plates of food.
- However complex the dish was/seemed to be, there was a simple beauty lying within each plate. Everything tasted so fresh.
- However complex the dish was/seemed to be, there was a simple beauty lying within each plate. Everything tasted so fresh.
- All of this made me want to revisit Tom Aikens in the near future (the restaurant closed for refurbishment shortly after we went there. But quick Google search reveals: The newly opened restaurant’s menu looks divine!
- 1 item on my Bucket List, Ticked!
- 1 item on my Bucket List, Ticked!
