RESTAURANT STORY, 201 TOOLEY STREET

After postponing my visit for over a year since it opened in April 2013, I finally made it to Tom Sellers' Restaurant Story with my cousin, Vivienne, who was visiting for the weekend. There was no particular occasion to celebrate, but I always find an excuse for a naughty treat, and what better way to catch up with family than over some good food...

We made our way from London Bridge station and just about spotted it from afar, slightly confused about the location of the entrance and made a full circle before finding the entrance. Silly me, hopefully nobody was watching (!)
It was a sunny day outside, and lovely rays of sunshine shone through the floor to ceiling windows. The place was slightly smaller than I had envisioned in my mind, with concrete floors and minimalistic decor.

We both went for the 6 course menu, with the additional raw beef dish for an extra £15 - I'm always on the lookout for some good raw beef, or any sort of tartare dish.

For drinks, I first had a glass of white, and later on a sweet wine which I really liked - Gaillac 'Renaissance' Domaine Rotier, 2010.

Whilst perusing the menu, we were served a selection of amuse-bouches.

My favourites were the crispy cod skin with smoked cod roe emulsion and the rabbit sandwich with tarragon cream and carrots in bergamot. The 'Storeos' were also pretty interesting - smoked eel mousse and malt vinegar powder sandwiched between squid ink biscuits.

 

 

 

 

 

And now, back to the menu...

| Bread and dripping |

 After an array of appetizing snacks, it was time for the start of the main event - we were served some warm bread in a soft leather pouch with a bowl of chicken consomme jelly, veal tongue and celery. 
A candle made from beef dripping was placed at our table when we were first seated, and had now melted to form a small pool at the bottom for us to dip.
The flavours from the dripping weren't very strong, but it was a fun and interesting concept. 

"This is safe to eat right?", my cousin asked the waiter halfway through - the waiter nodded in reassurance, "I hope so, we've been serving it for over a year now!".

 

| Onion, apple and old tom |

A very pretty looking dish, and I do love onions...

 

| Raw beef, apple and summer truffle |

My favourite dish of the meal - presented in an apple with smoke billowing from the dry ice surrounding it.
Inside it, was the lovely raw beef with deliciously fragrant flavours from the truffle. 
I definitely had a better deal here compared to Snow White, and I didn't fall into a coma - win.

 "They did wash these apples, right?"
"I think so", I replied, happily nibbling away on my apple.

 

 

| Heritage potato, asparagus and coal |

The mash was incredibly smooth and creamy, with a bit of drama added on by the dark coal oil that was oozing from beneath.

 

| Lamb, grilled salad and sheep's yogurt |

This dish didn't quite stand out for me, which is probably why I can't really recall what it tasted like..! Oops, maybe I should make some notes next time. 

 

We had a short break in between, nibbling away on our cheeseboard.

And a little palate cleanser - a nice and cooling sorbet with fresh citrus flavours.

| Hay, prune and cereal |

Kind of like breakfast, but during lunchtime. 
My brain and tummy is getting confused - maybe I will add ice cream to my breakfast in future.

 

| Almond and dill |

I received a phone call just as this was served. "Crap, it's melting!" I thought silently in my mind, as I hastily finished the call and took a snap before it was too late. Panic over.
Our final dish from the menu, and rather lovely it was.
I've eaten quite a few snow-like dishes today - not that I'm complaining.

 

And to finish off, petit fours...tea cakes.

I'm glad I finally made a visit here after so long - some really interesting dishes that are likely to tempt me back again for a second visit.

Address: 201 Tooley Street, London SE1 2UE

Tel. No.: 020 7183 2117

Opening hours: 12:00-14:30 (lunch) ; 18:30-21:30 (dinner) Tuesday to Saturday

And if you liked the sound of this, then I would also highly recommend a visit to Fera at Claridges by Simon Rogan, which I visited last weekend.

The Cheekster, signing out x

FERA AT CLARIDGES

I have often walked past but have never stepped into Claridges before, so it was nice to finally see what laid within the legendary walls of this Mayfair hotel.

As we walked through the revolving doors, I instinctively walked straight up to the reception at The Foyer, but was then approached by Restaurant Director, Ben Hofer, who led us down the other side of the hall to the entrance to Fera.

 The latest venture from Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, the name Fera comes from the Latin word 'wild', which reflects the use of seasonal ingredients and the influence of nature in his style of British cooking.

Warmly greeted by the reception staff, we were seated along the sofas with a nice view of the glamorous room. I really liked the centrepiece, with the lighting giving it a dramatic setting.

| Pea wafer, fennel and flowers |

Or first little snack was served to us by chef Simon Rogan himself - so pretty and colourful, I was reluctant to eat it. Delightfully smooth and creamy and really light and crunchy wafer.

| Stewed rabbit with lovage |

Crispy on the outside, and moist and tender on the inside.

| Mackerel, caviar, seawater cream |

| Winslade, potato, duck heart |

I don't think I've ever eaten duck heart, and only just realized what I had eaten after having a glance at the menu. I was probably too distracted by the food that I must have missed out some bits of the explanations by the waiter - typical me.

I swiftly cleaned up my bowl and found it very appetizing - sometimes it's best not to know what you're eating and just enjoy the moment. I suppose I won't feel as queasy now about eating hearts, now that I have actually tasted it and surprisingly liked it.

 

The bread was served with bone marrow butter and a warm cup of mushroom broth.

 | Raw beef, smoked broccoli cream, scallop roe, acidic apple juice |

Having a great love for tartare and raw dishes, this was naturally up my street. Unfortunately I hadn't realized that my dining partner was not a fan of raw beef. 

Hence, being a good friend, I willingly volunteered to eat his share as well - can't let good food go to waste!

| Prawns from Gairloch, prime pork fat, borage and chicory |

Amazingly fresh and juicy prawns, and again very pleasing to the eye.

 

| Brill cooked in whey flavoured with hogweed, Jerseys, blewits and beach herbs |

The brill was cooked perfectly, as well as the little Jersey potatoes. 

Sauce was nice without overpowering the flavours of the fish.

Absolutely brill-iant.

Pardon the pun, I just couldn't help myself...

 

| Middle white pork, caramelised leek broad bean and mead reduction |

Another faultless dish, and that mead reduction had me wanting more...

 

| Baked yoghurt, pear poached in perry, mint and muscovado |

I have a real weakness for good desserts, and this has got to be my favourite dish of the meal. Sweet and refreshingly cooling. I was tempted to do an Oliver Twist impersonation - 'Please sir, I want some more...'

| Iced beech leaf, nitro sweet cheese, apple and sorrel |

Another deliciously refreshing dessert. One of my five-a-day, sorted.

 

| Chamomile milkshake, chocolate malt |

 

Chocolate malt hidden underneath...sneaky!

 

And to finish off our meal, more little snacks to nibble on.

 

 

 

 

Overall a very pleasant experience - impressively good food and very hospitable staff.

An elegant room with a touch of vintage and contemporary chic.

Did I also mention that they have a really beautifully designed back wall - something to keep in mind for my future dream house!

Unfortunately I forgot to bring my scrapbook diary with me today, but I did take the menu to add to my little book of memories... - I promise I will bring it in next time, Ben :)

Address: 49 Brook St., London W1K 4HR

Tel. No.: 0207 7107 8888

Opening hours: 12:00-14:30 (lunch) ; 18:30-22:00 (dinner)

The Cheekster, signing out x

GRANGER & CO. CLERKENWELL, 50 SEKFORDE STREET

A casual all-day restaurant, Granger & Co. in Clerkenwell is the second London branch opened by Australian restaurateur, Bill Granger, following in the footsteps of the Notting Hill branch which was first opened in 2011.

 Aware of the no-reservation policy, we arrived about 11am on a Sunday, and managed to be seated almost immediately along the comfortable cream sofas on the side.
There were also some papers and magazines laid out on the bar which customers may choose to read at their leisure.

 

| flat white |

 

| sweetcorn fritters, roast tomato, spinach & bacon |

Vivienne went for the sweetcorn fritters, and we both really liked it. Simple yet packed with plenty of flavour.

 

Viv was clearly very pleased with her selection...

| crab, chorizo & house kim chee fried brown rice |

I had originally wanted to order the courgette fritters, but was informed that the fryer wasn't ready (?), which was a shame. Nonetheless, I did enjoy my fried rice - delicious sour and spicy flavours. I don't usually have rice for breakfast, but I had a sudden craving for some Asian flavours, and this was a nice fix.

 

And me being me, I obviously had to try out some of their delicious baked offerings on display... 
I followed the waiter to the bakery display and selected the mango cake and a fruit scone to nibble on.

 

 Service was good, with just some minor issues e.g. forgetting to place a drink order and forgetting to send cutlery to the table. However, all staff were very polite and courteous thorughout.

Overall, a very pleasant experience and a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Address: 50 Sekforde Street, London EC1R 0HA

Tel. No.: 020 7251 9032

Opening hours: 8:00-23:00 (Mon - Fri) ; 9:00-23:00 (Sat) ; 10:00-18:00 (Sun)

The Cheekster, signing out x