Launceston Place

One of my favorite restaurants in London is Launceston Place (http://www.launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk/) in Kensington where Tristan Welch is the head chef. Tristan appeared in Great British Menu last year and he does some really theatrical modern british cooking. Not a place you go to every week since it is not exactly cheap - but now and again it is worth treating yourself! ;-)

We went with some friends last Friday and we went for the 6 course tasting menu.

Here is what the evening entailed:

Nibbles of hand made crisps with holes in the middle that were tied together with ribbons.

Amuse bouche: youghurt sorbet with marinated cucumber. Very refreshing and clean flavors.

Raw marinated rainbow trout with cucumber, basil sorbet and and a clear tomato consomme (poured at the table). Absoutley beautiful dish.. i now have to start practise making basil sorbet at home!

Asparagus with a sunflower puree, sunflower seeds, snails and herb dressing. Loved the sunflower puree - never had that before. Never had snails either and they were OK :-)

West coast Scallop roasted with aromatic herbs. What can i say? Nothing beats a good scallop!

Celery sorbet, walnut moussse and apples. We had this dish last time too.. it is great!

Rose veal rump, nettles, pickled mushrooms and deep fried sweetbreads. Never had sweetbreads before.. and don't like the idea of them.. but deep fried like this - delicious!

Pre-dessert of Pimm's Jelly and champagen granita.

Rice pudding souffle with raspberry ripple ice cream. Again, we had this last time.. it is wonderful and very light and fluffy. The home made ice cream is divine.

As a parting gift us girls got a little box of Launceston Place's own hand made chocolate truffles (2) in a box. Nice touch! .. and nice truffles too...they were finished off in the car home!!

I really would recommend this restaurant for a special occasion!