THE LEDBURY

 

I was very fortunate to go to the ‘Ledbury’ together with my daughter and son in law – Fig 1, on my recent trip to England in November 2012. The chef – Brett Graham, is an Australian who opened the Ledbury in 2005. Since that time, the Ledbury, supported by a very energetic team has won many accolades as well as two Michelin stars. It was number three in the Sunday Times issue of Britain’s top 100 restaurants which was done in association with Harden’s – restaurant reviewers in October 2012.

 

 

 

 

  

Fig 1 - James, Aviva and Barry


We decided to have the ‘tasting menu’ and a true delight it was!

It started off with:

The Amuse Bouche – it consisted of foie gras paste with Kataifi pastry on top - Fig 2;

                 

Next was crushed Jerusalem Artichokes with warm hand picked Crab, Pumpernickel and dill

- Fig 3a;

      

 

 

or there was 'Risotto' of Celeriac and new potato with smoked eel and parsley, as an alternative - Fig 3b;

then flame grilled Mackerel with Avocado, Celtic mustard and Shiso - Fig 4;

 

this was followed by Hampshire Buffalo milk curd with Saint-Nectaire, Truffle toast and a broth of grilled onions - Fig 5;

next there was a fillet of Turbot with a grilled leek, Lobster puree and Riesling - Fig 6;

then there was a jowl of Pork with walnut cream, fresh and dried Chicory - Fig 7a;

or Roast quail with chestnuts, Chanterelles and pear as an alternative - Fig 7b;

Roast breast and confit leg of Pigeon with red vegetables and leaves, Foie Gras and quince came next - Fig 8;

 

 

then the pre-dessert – a lovely sorbet - Fig 9;

 
 

 

 

and then a brown sugar Tart with poached grapes and stem ginger ice cream was the last dish on the menu - Fig 10;

And finally there was a mixture of tiny jellies, chocolate truffles and tiny meringues with piped cream on top - Fig 11

 

 

A truly delightful meal and one the taste buds will remember for a long time to come.



Some of the photographs and the wording is from the Ledbury website.

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE CLARIDGES HOTEL - LONDON

I was extremely fortunate to go to Claridges for afternoon tea with my daughter– Aviva. We arrived at 3.00 pm just in time to be seated for an afternoon tea full of surprises! We were seated in the Foyer area - Fig 1, 2;

 

 Fig 1 - the foyer of Claridges with the tea room immediately beyond the pillars.

Fig 2 - inside Claridges foyer area where tea is served.



and immediately presented with a sixteen page booklet describing a choice of almost 40 teas and herbal infusions from all over the world. Aviva chose an Earl Grey tea - one of three different types; whilst I had Darjeeling tea. Then we were served a plate of finger sandwiches, which included smoked salmon, egg and mayonnaise, cucumber, camembert with relish - Fig 3.

Fig 3 - the array of sandwiches that were on offer.



We were then given freshly baked raisin and apple scones with Marco Polo jelly and Cornish clotted cream - Fig 4,

 

Fig 4 - two different types of scones with Marco Polo jelly and Clotted cream.

and a selection of sweet pastries - Fig 5.

 

All the while, there was a pianist and a cellist playing soft music – a really delightful time! And finally, we were presented with a Christmas tree full of tea! - Fig 6,

Fig 6 - Barry with his Christmas tree full of tea!




and Aviva was presented with a birthday cake - Fig 7.



























Some of the photographs and wording comes from the Claridge’s web site.