Hawksmoor

Easily one of my favourite restaurants in London, I visited again with a friend on Saturday evening. Sitting in the bar I ordered the plum pudding ribs, followed by a rib-eye with beef dripping chips and finished with a fab rhubarb and apple crumble. The ribs were enormous and the sauce sticky, rich and thick. Beautiful steak – the kind of thing you wait months for – the best chips (rich, floury and crisp) and superb wine. Top evening.

myalacarte

I popped in with some colleagues on Monday evening and was completely blown away. Situated just outside Reading in Caversham, in a converted shop, this is an utter gem. The food is seasonal and British with a delicate modern twist. It fully deserves its current status as the No.1 Tripadvisor restaurant in Reading.

Starter – Confit Duck Filo Parcel, Crispy Duck Tongues and a spring onion, carrot, kohlrabi salad with a ginger and soy dipping sauce
I’ve never had duck tongues before, but they were spectacular. A lovely complex starter with great textures and flavours – neat unfussy presentation!

Main – Duo of venison, confit butternut squash, salsify crisps and a chocolate jus
Venison and chocolate is almost a cliche, but they handled it beautifully, a rich sticky sauce without too much sweetness. The comparison between the haunch and knuckle of venison was clever and the vegetables delicate and light.

Dessert – Chocolate Fondant
Sadly the menu-promised salted parsnip ice cream wasnt available, but it was still a stonking dessert. Well cooked, liquid but warm, and neatly presented.

Great find and I can’t wait to visit again!