As promised this is the second part of a double post on a couple of brilliantly creative meals we enjoyed in July: one in Lisbon at André Magalhães at his tiny Taberna da Rua Flores, Lisbon and this one at Roger Jones' The Harrow.
Amuse bouche – olives, garlic cloves and
the famous foie gras macaroons
2008 Chenin du Puy, AC Saumur Blanc, Frédéric Mabileau
(above and below)
Roger and Sue Jones kindly invited us to bring one or more bottles (BYOB). We took one – the 2008 Le Puy, Saumur Blanc from Frédéric Mabileau. Sadly we only had one bottle left as this one was delicious, very attractively evolved with honey and pineapple notes along with brilliantly clean acidity underlining what a fine vintage 2008 is for dry whites in the Loire. This was Frédéric's second vintage from his small plot of Chenin Blanc at Le Puy Notre Dame.
Pure Chenin this 2008 was picked in two tris – the first on 11th October and the second on 22nd October.
We chose the six course menu for £50 a head
Crab & pea cocktail
(above and below)
Classy olive oil
Sashimi of yellow fin tuna, caviar rocks, crème fraîche
with a stunning beetroot sorbet with wasabi
– dish of the evening against very tough competition.
The tuna was wonderfully fresh and Frédéric's Saumur
was a perfect match
Memorable decanter for a memorable wine
The Harrow has an excellent wine list reflecting the Jones' enthusiasm for the wines of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in particular. The Pinot Noirs from Felton Road (Central Otago) are one of the specially featured estates. We chose the 2010 Block 3, Pinot Noir, which was delicious and finely balanced, silky texture and lovely complexity with good freshness in the finish.
Line caught turbot, Périgord truffle risotto
New season Welsh lamb, Isle of Wight tomatoes
Mango, passion fruit and clementine parfait
After opting for a tasting plate of cheese, we finished the meal with this
fine dessert - 'Berry' - based on soft summer fruits
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