a modern french fantasy

Sleek, chic and unforgettable in true french form. Impeccable presentation has long been a part of french tradition, mirrored by the haute couture styles that hit the runway in the annual Paris Fashion week. And while every fashionista knows that a great accessory makes a great outfit, every great chef knows that a dash of creativity is needed to pamper palates.

And pampered our palates were today by a delectable 3 course lunch at the 2 michelin star Le A'telier Joel Robuchon in covent garden. It was not my first visit but the last while rather enjoyable was nothing to shout about. Today however, it was clear why the restaurant holds such prestige.

Black and red themed furnishings lent a polished air as we entered, livened up by a bustling open kitchen and chatter of patrons. Soft mood lighting added a sense of cosiness while immaculately dressed waiters stood at the ready to tend to diners with friendly smiles and attentive service.

Unexpected, yet exquisite.

Simply presented in a low martini style glass, yet the first bite left me speechless. The appetiser of egg cocotte was served in 3 layers, with a parsley cream at the bottom and a wild mushroom foam with mushrooms sandwiching an egg slow boiled to perfection. The egg is slow-cooked at a low temperature so that while the egg is indeed cooked, the white is just barely set and the yolk is runny. As I took my first mouthful, my spoon broke the yolk which cascaded into the mix. I can't quite find a word to describe the subtle explosion of flavours. One of my dining partners caught my eye and we nodded simultaneously without a word affirming my thoughts on this dish. Simply delightful!

Simple but oh so good!

The second dish appeared pristine yet unassuming, a mix of braised rabbit and mushrooms enclosed by pieces of penne pasta. While the pasta was nothing out of the ordinary, the shredded rabbit was tender yet flavoursome and well complemented by the wild mushrooms which added a crunchier bite. Words cannot quite describe this dish but definitely thumbs up on this one!

The sweet spot and highlight and most unforgettable was without a doubt the best part of the night. Every bite was nothing less than orgasmic delight, from the hazelnut biscuit layer to the praline layer and dark chocolate coating. Marvellous, simply marvellous! The pictures speak for themselves too. Decadent and sinful so oh so worth the calories!





And so ended my french fantasy...

a taste of lisbon (pictures to be added)

A little less than 4 hours after setting foot in Lisbon, Portugal and I've already been won over. By nothing less than a taste of the city too. And I mean that literally.

Nothing like a hearty meal to win my heart over, but this was no ordinary meal, and it did more than silence a rumbling belly, it silenced me too.

It began with a Moscatel to kick off our first gourmet escapade. After hearing about the Moscatel of Setubel, I simply had to try it and I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike dessert wines such as the brown brothers Moscato, this is no flat sweet tasting wine. Its a deep orange with red undertones and coyly captures with notes of sweetness when it first touches the palate keeping up the flirtation with a tinge of bitterness. Its dryness and peppery aftertaste serve well to balance out the intense sweetness that lingers on the tongue. one of the best I've tasted of dessert wines, paling in comparison only to my favourite Vin Santo from Toscana, at least in my opinion. I prefer depth in my dessert wines.

My main though rather plain looking, was a savoury treat for the palate. After much deliberation, I opted to try the Linguado a moda de vila Franca (grilled sole with butter, milk n lemon). The sole was without doubt the freshest I've ever tasted, the meat was tender and pretty much melted in my mouth. With my penchant for all things creamy, the flavourful sauce hit the spot striking a balance between salty and buttery on my tastebuds. Absolutely delightful!

The other interesting dish at the table was the Acorda de Gambas (grilled tiger shrimp with lemon shellfish bread pudding). Chunky yet smooth on the tongue, the mix of flavours is hard to distinguish at first. With every bite, it only gets better and the distinct flavours begin to show off their individual colours. The bite of salted fish paired with the fresh taste of coriander is welcoming to the palate while the savoury tastes are not overwhelmed by the variety of flavours in the dish. A very unique dish that earned a thumbs up from all at my table!

Definitely a place I'd recommend if visiting Lisbon.

A little distance, about a 10minute walk from the Baixa-Chiado metro, Cocheira Alentejana sits in an area known as Bairro-Alto. Expect to spend between 12-20 euros per person.

Cocheira Alentejana+351 213464868