Restaurant Review STRICTLY Delicious Merdian samples some of the best local restaurants Michael Breese reviews Iberica, Canary Wharf
I would have crossed a desert for this meal, so the freezing winds blasting Cabot Square were nothing. Lots of people fi ll a large split-level interior, others hover by a long bar next to the on-view kitchen, an oasis of calm in a sea of activity. The staff, all Spanish are terrifi c; beautifully groomed, knowledgeable and well spoken.
Seated on a balcony overlooking the lively lower fl oor, we took in the large and detailed menu. Within a short time our Dos Palmas Fino sherries appeared with tomato bread, the Trio of Ibericos - three Iberian hams (Jamon) to be eaten in specifi c order- Cordoba, Salamanca, then Huelva. These “puro bellota” hams are made from black Iberian pigs, which are allowed to run free to eat acorns. The meat is cured for at least three years to develop intense, lingering fl avour and aroma, and a little can last a long time. This is a beautiful experience with the fi nest hams in the world taken with their ideally suited wine. With these, a ‘Half and Half’- cured cuts, salchichon, laomo, cecina, big chorizo slices and a selection of Spanish cheeses, Manchego and friends with a little fruity preserve to complement them. The tapas that followed, brought a change of wine,
we agreed on Finca Constancia Tempranillo. ‘Picado’ means ‘corked’, and you are advised to taste the wine to ensure it is in fi ne condition. Of course, it was. So
Nannette Fielding takes lunch at NMM
In 1884 the Greenwich Meridian Line, which passes directly through the Royal Observatory Greenwich and was established as the Prime Meridian of the World – Longitude, 0° 0’ 0”. Last year, exactly 127 years later, a new brasserie opened at the National Maritime Museum. Located exactly sixteen seconds west from the Prime Meridian Line, 16” West Brasserie offers a range of contemporary British cuisine for lunch and dinner as well as traditional Sunday lunch.
What might have seemed like a rash decision for a family Sunday lunch at the 16” West Brasserie turned out a family favourite and one to be repeated as often as possible.
After a bracing walk down through the park in the strangest dense fog that seemed a little too like Stephen King’s imagination with strange shapes appearing and disappearing. We appreciated the warm welcome from the restaurant staff and a table looking out into the eerie park fascinated the younger members of our group. All too often eating out as a family is a fraught affair, as many restaurants don’t adapt the European approach to children that lets them roam and enjoying their eating experience and so they tend not to bother the other diners. With everyone settled and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the modern interior we made our choices of meats from the menu. Simple Sunday roast makes it easy as it’s everyone’s favourite meal. The table soon fi lled with dishes of roasted vegetables, and jugs of steaming gravy – no dribble of ‘jus’ here
34 l
www.meridian-magazine.co.uk we’re talking lashings. Followed by a
platter of carved roast beef and enormous Yorkshire puddings, while others opted for the slow roasted loin of pork with amazing crackling or the half roast chicken and bread sauce, which was too much for even the heartiest appetite and was happily bagged for the dog!
Silence reigned as we enjoy our lunch and admired the trees as they appeared from the fog in a glimmer of sun. Come spring, lunch will undoubtedly be taken on the large terrace but back to pudding and a sea of takers as we read through the choices, it was a tie between the plum and maple crumble with clotted cream ice cream and the iced coffee parfait, caramel sauce and a shot of espresso for the more mature taste. As good as mum’s cooking? – Better, according to mum. 16” West Brasserie, National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF
020 8312 8516 served from 12pm on Sundays. Nannette Fielding (£109 for 5) including wine.
were grilled prawns with chilli, garlic and sherry vinegar dressing, Octopus gallega (gorgeous and soft), fried chorizo lollipops in batter to hold the fl avour with pear alioli, slow stewed beef cheeks in Rioja with sliced potatoes, Fabada- Asturian white bean stew with Morcilla, chorizo and pancetta. Lastly, Tempura of spring onion with lemon alioli and soy sauce. The whole is as a dance of the senses, a Zarzuela,
a Vuelta- a Tour of Spain, taken, as our waitress said, ‘despacio’, slowly. It is too rewarding to rush. We needed bread to dip in the sauces, they had run out,
so they made bread for us… and what bread! I’ve never bought any like it, very likely a sourdough, but straight from the oven… outrageous, with an eggshell crust. La tarta de la abuela, a traditional chocolate, vanilla and biscuit cake brought an ‘Oh wow’ from my partner, the not too sweet, cream caramel ‘Tocinillo’ with yoghurt ice cream and caramel crumble silenced me completely. No 10 Cabot Sq, Canary Wharf.
Listings Locale
‘Locale’ Blackheath’s favourite Italian restaurant, has established a fi ne reputation for great value, quality dining in an atmospheric setting with occasional live entertainment. They are now offering a special evening of Dinner with Tango on Wednesday 25 January. Santiago and Sandra Monticelli from Buenos Aires who now live locally in Blackheath will host the evening. The couple have an impressive list of credits, which includes most recently touring the U.K. with the show ‘Midnight Tango’ with Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
There will be a set price of £49.00 p.p. with a special menu including Locale’s international dishes plus top quality Argentinean steaks. During the evening Santiago and Sandra will perform their ‘History of Tango’ show, featuring traditional tango styles together with the more spectacular stage tango. More information email Blackheath@
localerestaurants.com 1 Lawn Terrace Blackheath Village SE3 9LJ
020 8852 0700
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