Bistrot Birthday

Oh my GOD. I am still coming out of the food coma induced by my birthday dinner at Bistrot Bruno Loubet last night. Damn. 

It was just so very very good. Right from the off, the staff were attentive and knowledgeable, and seemed passionate about the food they were serving. We each started with a delightful aperitif, mine a Lillet Blanc, Ricky's a Rouge as recommended - super tasty, sweet and fruity served over ice with a slice of lemon (or orange if having the rouge). I'd never had it before but it was refreshing and delicious, a good start.

We each went for specials for starters - duck charcuterie, and padron peppers with ricotta and a basket of warm crusty bread came with it. The charcuterie was heavenly, a rustic wooden board with a sweet spiced chutney, smoked breast, terrine, foie gras, a jelly, and what I think was a coarse pate. Not sure, but it was all flipping amazing anyway and I had to try really hard not to eat Ricky's half. So rich and naughty! The peppers by comparison were fresh and light, and the bitterness of them with the ricotta and tiny weeny toasts was a perfect balance.

It took us a long time to choose our mains, the choice available was just ridiculous. In the end I went with my gut first choice, salmon and scallop quenelles and Ricky went with a beef bourguignon from the specials. There was a lovely bit of theatre when two waiters revealed the dishes at the same time, as both came in black pots, like wee mini le creuset casserole dishes. 

And bloody hell was it good. My quenelles were beautiful; smooth and melt in the mouth, delightfully fishy and served in a langoustine bisque - both elements with such fine depth of flavour and masterfully brought together. I won't deny it was rich, but hey, it was my birthday, so screw it. I am actually salivating thinking about it. I only had a mouthful of Ricky's beef, but it was literally good enough to make his eyes water. The beef fell apart at the touch it was so tender, the mash velvety soft and creamy all brought together by the sticky, dark and rich sauce. Just one mouthful I could feel it sticking gleefully to the ribs! Slow cooked incredibleness....

I wasn't still hungry but of course I had dessert. An apple tart to die for. My comment at the time was that it had to be a crack dusted apple tart it was that good, and I stick by that. I can't remember the flavour of the ice cream on top, but it is some of the best I have ever had. Ricky's lemon and olive oil panna cotta had a strangely medicinal taste, but was lovely and light and creamy. 

I realise I have somewhat waxed lyrical about this place, but considering that we had 3 courses each, plenty of good wine (expertly recommended) and an aperitif each, it was just about £120 inc service for both of us, which I don't think is bad for a special occasion. And, above all, it really was that tasty. If I had one complaint it was that the new potatoes with my main were a bit unimaginative, but the rest of it was so stand out, I don't care. 

Anyway, I got a bit excited about it all and as it had been a while since we went out for a fancy dinner, I thought I would write it up! They do set lunches too, very reasonable. 

Omnomnomnomnom!!! Perfect birthday pressie, thanks Richard!!

This is the website, go see: http://www.bistrobrunoloubet.com/

Photo not mine, BTW. I didn't have my camera!

Good Food Day!

Yesterday was a good day for food! 

It has been a pretty hectic and strange couple of weeks - I've been made redundant for a start so have been beefing up the ol' CV and applying for jobs again. It's not all bad though, I don't think this was the right job for me and so moving on is actually a positive thing.

So, after being really busy last week I wanted to EAT. Yesterday (Sunday) I was lucky enough to eat twice at Brixton market, breakfast with Mum and Dad at the Brick Box Cafe in the village, where I had a buckwheat galette generously filled with good cheese, herbs and crispy bacon, with a fried egg on top. Well tasty. (Top pic is Brixton Village)

My friend Cat was in the area for lunch, so to kill time I went to the farmers market on Brixton Station Road and bought some quality streaky bacon, and a beautiful creamy Wye of Bath cheese from a lovely and helpful chap at the Bath Soft Cheese Company. Most of this cheese has already been nibbled away, it's bloomin delicious. 10am - 2pm every Sunday, and although there aren't that many stalls, all of them have great produce - I will be back!

Lunch was Japanese 'Tapas' at Curry Ono just off Market Row (pics with prawns!). This was really good, and the staff very friendly, made even better by the complimentary miso soup, yum. My favourite dish was the marinated prawns, sharp and spicy and cooked perfectly. Entertainment came in the form of a drunk guy outside, displaying his clearly shoplifted prizes on one of their tables...Brixton has a fascinating dynamic and mix of people, most good, some worrying, but I love it all the same. Our final treat was tea and triple choc cookies at the Relay Tea Rooms, a really cute and tiny place with china cups and saucers, and homemade treats.

The bottom picture is my creation - after watching 2 episodes of masterchef I was feeling creative...well hungry somehow...and so using the bacon and savoy cabbage from the market, along with some ageing kale and potatoes and eggs from the 'rents chickens, I rustled us up some dinner. Kale and savoy cabbage with bacon, onions and garlic, lemon roasted potatoes crushed with parmesan and a fried egg to finish.  

It was a gluttonous day but a final treat before unemployment, this week is all about leftovers and thrift :-)