Northbank, Cornish tasting menu

Northbank by the Millenium Bridge ph: ©David Griffen

Tasting Menus are equivalent to a feast. Lots of small and perfectly formed,  good looking plated dishes served as one meal. The monthly tasting menu at Northbank is all of the above and more.

I have been to Northbank before, but I’ve never eaten their food. There’s a reason for that. The reviews and recommendations were not very flattering. So when I was invited to try their March tasting menu, I was hesitant, and my expectations were very low.  I love the location, the views over London and The Thames  views are breathtaking even in the winter. Centrally located makes a great pit stop for drinks by the river. The decor is quite nice; the space is well distribute. The terrace is very inviting and perfect for Summer gatherings. The fabulous smooth service from the manager, Angelo, is second to none including his wine matching skills, which I only found out at this dinner.

Before leaving the house  I was already thinking where I would go for a quick bite afterwards, just in case the food wasn’t that good. We arrived early and started with a nice cocktail at the bar. We moved on to our table that overlooked the Thames, and I noticed the restaurant was getting busy. It was a nice atmosphere.

 Cornish tasting menu at Northbank

The roasted carrot soup looked alright; I had the first spoon, and I was sold! It was very tasty and well seasoned. It had a delightful aroma and nice body. The fried kale on top lends an extra layer of texture. Wine : Laibach, Chenin Blanc, Stellenboch, SA, 2014 (£8/glass). Next was the truffe chicken tortellini with spinach puree and truffle; the small cases of fresh pasta filled with lightly truffle chicken were very good, and the spinach puree a nice change to the usual tomato sauce.

Wine for the rest of the meal light red : Saurus Pinot Noir, Familia Schroeder, Patagonia, Argentina, 2011 (£27/bottle)
The following dish was the rabbit Mulligatawny – English soup with an Indian accent. It was rich, aromatic curried and gutsy. I never ate rabbit before; I was pleasantly surprised.

Cornish catch of the day: pan fried halibut, caught from Falmouth Bay with smoked kale, mash and red wine jus – this was the winning dish of the evening. Perfectly pan fried with a nice crust and still succulent. The lightly smoked kale didn’t detract from the main event that was the fish. The perfect mash and wine jus accompanied this dish. Fabulous!

The roasted rump Cornish lamb, potato terrine, shallot puree & salt baked beetroot was another good dish.  However,  the catch of the day was superb and the lamb, although very well prepared and juicy, could not compete with the halibut.

Desserts at Northbank

Lemon meringue plate (Jeanne and Nick’s choices), cocoa and chocolate (my choice): crumble, molten ice cream, hazelnut brittle, chocolate mousse. The West Country cheese board (£5 supplement)  was very generous portion we shared one and still some left.
The chocolate dessert was great and not too sweet, lots of textures – it was
lavish!  The Lemon Meringue looked nice, but I was immersed on the chocolate treat.

Jason Marchant, the head chef, new tasting menu is bountiful, fresh and scrumptious. I think I have been missing out on good food by not coming to Northbank sooner.
Highly recommended.
Tasting menu £55/per person  (excluding wine)
from next month I believe there will be a new tasting menu with matching wine – cost – TBC

Northbank
Millennium Bridge,
One Paul’s Walk,
London, EC4V 3QH
UK
T: 020 7329 9299
E: info@northbankrestaurant.com
For more delicious account on this evening head over to CookSister blog

Above: roasted carrot soup / truffle chicken tortellini with spinach puree and truffle cream
above: rabbit mulligatawny / seared West Country scallops with burnt lee, celeriac, sea purslane
Cornish catch of the day: pan fried halibut,Caught from Falmouth Bay with smoked kale, mash and red wine jus/ above: roasted rump cornish lamb, potato terrine, shallot puree & salt baked beetroot
lemon meringue plate/ above: cocoa and chocolate: crumble, molten ice cream, hazelnut brittle, chocolate mousse / cheeses
all images taken with iphone. the first picture was provided by Northbank.

Square Meal

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