One cannot think, love, sleep well if one has not dined well” – Virginia Woolf
I’ve recently returned from the San Pellegrino World 50 Best Restaurant Awards in London which as usual did not fail to disappoint.
The 50 – 100 list was released the week before and we were proud to see Margot Janse, Executive Chef at ‘The Tasting Room’ at Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek in at Number 88. We then waited for the week prior to the big night to see where else South Africa would rank.
We felt so proudly South African when it was announced that Luke Dale-Roberts from The Test Kitchen in Cape Town climbed 20 places to become The Acqua Panna Best Restaurant in Africa and newly ranked at number 28. Needless to say, the celebration that evening involved lots of Champagne and festivities…
The San Pellegrino World Number One Restaurant went to El Celler de Can Roca in Spain, a massive achievement and worthy of the award.
Anna proudly celebrating with Luke Dale-Roberts in freezing London!
Before the Awards evening I of course set off on my favourite pastime – a culinary grazing adventure.
Gordon Ramsay’s new MAZE Grill Park Walk was the first culinary stop and together with my friend Nikki Brown, we feasted on some seriously delicious simple food. Maze Grill Park Walk is home to some of the best steaks in London and features a menu of grilled meats, sushi and sashimi. The steaks are matured in ‘salt fridges’ which was fascinating to see. The Smashed Avocado and Sweet Potato Chips was possibly the best I’ve tasted in a long time and needless to say the Fillet from the Rare Breed Selection (dry aged for 28 days) was indescribable. It was also lovely that Gordon himself popped in and we got to have a chat!
28 Day Dry Aged Fillet – cooked to perfection with Triple-Cooked Chips & Béarnaise – what was not to like?
The Salt Aging Fridge where you can choose your meat
Buffalo Chicken Fillets / Chili & Lime / Gorgonzola Sauce
Smashed Avocados / Lime / Ginger / Coriander served with Sweet Potato Chips
” The Smashed Avocado and Sweet Potato Chips was possibly the best I’ve tasted in a long time”
Lovely to see Gordon popping in to check how things were!
Medium Rare – exactly as I like it
I was staying in Fulham with a dear friend Alex who just so happens to have a great gastro pub – The Brown Cow – across the road from her. I have to say from the décor of beaten wood tables to the ‘rusticness’ of the food – this was a great find and I would urge everyone to pop in and try their burger – one of the best I’ve ever tasted, I even went back twice!
As well as small plates, they also offer a Workers Lunch – consisting of Bubble and Squeak Cake with Fried Duck Egg and Hollandaise – it’s a must.
Brown Cow Burger with comte, triple cooked chips and a brioche bun – mindblowing!
“I would urge everyone to pop in and try their burger.”
Broccoli and Stilton Soup served with a Gruyere and Tomato Ciabatta Sandwich – deliciously simple!
That night Alex had booked us in to Coq D’Argent– Coq d’Argent serves classic French food in its spectacular rooftop setting at No.1 Poultry in the City of London. In addition to the main restaurant, the grill offers a less formal menu at lunchtime, while the outdoor terraces and gardens provide a verdant oasis in the heart of the Square Mile.
Chef Damien Rigollet originally joined Coq d’Argent in 2005 as senior sous chef, progressing to executive sous chef last year. Damien will continue to drive the restaurant forward to deliver an exquisite fine-dining experience in the heart of the Square Mile.
We opted for the Blossom City Menu which was simple and full of different flavours.
The quintessential Negroni to start – just recently our Varty Camp Manager William Ford perfected these for some guests, and I must say this was a close second!
Escargots de Bourgogne – Six Burgundian “Petit Gris” Snails, garlic & parsley butter. There was very nearly a Pretty Woman moment here!
Fromage de Chevre – Baked Poitour goats’ cheese, rose petal, hazelnuts, heritage beetroot, honey and truffles
How to choose a wine at Coq d’Argent – a nearly impossible task with over 300 delicious varietals to choose from.
Suprème de Poulet Free range chicken supreme, garlic & parsley butter, asparagus, morels, Chantenay carrots and edible flowers
Filet de Daurade Seared sea bream fillet, leek & fennel étuvée, saffron, sauce vierge
Even with the above culinary delights eaten so far, I knew that there was more in store, join me in the next chapter of my London 2015 Food Safari next week.
Have any of you been to any of the restaurants above? Can you guess from previous food safaris where I am going next? I’ll give you a clue: markets and classic favourite restaurants.
Written and Photographed by Anna Ridgewell, Londolozi Executive Chef
Wow! Sounds like you had a great time Anna. The food looks amazing. Can’t wait for the next food safari blog.
Thank you Marinda! It was a great time away! Next week same time!
I hope you got to visit Rules. My absolute favourite and good portions to boot.
Loved the salt aging fridges.
I feel my arteries hardening at the thought.
Thank you Ian.
No i haven’t visited Rules? Where is it?
The salt ageing fridges were seriously impressive and the meat fantastic!
Hi Anna, it’s in Covent Garden-the oldest restaurant in London (1798). Noted for it’s game and pies.
Even has it’s own estate to furnish game.
Sounds amazing Anna, delicious foods and very well deserved awards, so pleased to see South Africa in the top 50!
Thanks Kate!
Always an inspiration doing these blogs especially with your assistance!
Wow, sounds like an amazing tasting experience Anna! I have been to Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill in NYC and it was fantastic..sadly, no Gordon meeting for me though. I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
Thanks Jill!
So glad you have also been to Maze in NYC. Keep watching as always, as the next chapter of the food safari is up on Saturday!
Very exciting to have LD-R in World’s Top 50 Best – well done South Africa. Wonderful food experience stimulus for you Anna – can’t wait to hear what you are serving up at Londolozi!
Thank you Jenny!
We are serving up all kinds of culinary delights at the moment, all winter based and we also are serving the new high tea which is working out brilliantly! Look forward to a visit from you soon!
Amazing, Anna! I hope you’re back in time for me to pop by for a visit in August 🙂
Thank you Kristine!
I will be here the second half of August so hope to see you then!
Thank you for sharing your experience the World’s 50 Best awards and also your other inspirations for the trip. Im definitely going to try the Brown Cow burger next time I am in London.
Thank you Rich!
You will LOVE the Brown Cow! I in the meantime am busy recreating it in the Londolozi Kitchen as well!
Great blog Anna, looking forward to reading second instalment. We love Club Gascon in Smithfield, one for the list next time for you – would recommend to all that gave not been http://www.clubgascon.com/