St Clement's Restaurant in St Leonards – highly recommended

 St Clement's Restaurant

2013 Soave Classico, Pieropan

Last night our peerless group (The Jet Set) from Manchester University enjoyed a stand out meal at the St Clement's Restaurant in St Leonards on Sea, Hastings. There were 12 of us and we were very well looked after. 

The restaurant is right next to the Horse & Groom, the oldest pub in St Leonards. Unusually there is a connecting passageway between the pub and the restaurant.  

As soon as I opened the wine list – a relatively short list of well chosen wines – my eye alighted on the Pieropan Soave, which suggested that we were in good hands and in for an enjoyable evening.  

 

 2013 La Brouette Rosé, IGP Comté Tolosan, Producteurs Plaimont

The Pieropan Soave proved to be a very popular choice with most of the group who opted for this as their apéro and with their first course. We do have one Rosé aficionado in our group and they were very happy with La Brouette from the excellent Producteurs Plaimont. 2010 I Muri Puglia Negroamaro was our red choice – soft, rich and spicy – winning admirers amongst our peerless group.

   

    

2010 I Muri Puglia Negroamaro

Starters:

Brilliantly cooked Rye Bay Scallops

Spaghetti with clams

Fish soup

Chicory, pear & walnut salad with blue cheese dressing - See more at: http://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/menu/a-la-carte-16-23.html#sthash.MAfBngi5.dpuf

Chicory, pear & walnut salad with blue cheese dressing - See more at: http://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/menu/a-la-carte-16-23.html#sthash.MAfBngi5.dpuf

Chicory, pear and walnut salad with blue cheese dressing

Chicory, pear & walnut salad with blue cheese dressing - See more at: http://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/menu/a-la-carte-16-23.html#sthash.MAfBngi5.dpuf

Main courses:

Perfectly cooked turbot

Crispy confit of duck

Desserts:

Crispy duck confit, red cabbage, bubble 'n' squeak & smoked bacon, lentil & balsamic sauce - See more at: http://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/menu/a-la-carte-16-23.html#sthash.MAfBngi5.dpuf

Peanut butter and chocolate tart

Pannettone and butter pudding with chocolate sauce

3 Mercatoria St. Leonards-on-Sea,  East Sussex TN38 0EB, United Kingdom

+44 1424 200355

Torrevento@Degò

Francesco Llantonio

Yesterday it was off to try the Puglian wines from Torrevento, a 400 hectare estate in Corato, and to have lunch at the recently opened Degò, an Italian restaurant at 4 Great Portland Street, London W1. Torrevento was founded in 1948 by Francesco and Domenico Llantonio. The esate was then developed by Gaetano Llantonio but has been greatly expanded since his son, Francesco, became involved in 1989.

Torrevento has vineyards spread across Puglia and makes a big range of wines. We were shown nine yesterday – all well made. As so often my favourites were amongst the entry level of the range. These showed the most Puglian character, whereas the more famous such as Vigna Pedale, were more international and could have come from other countries such as Chile.

My favourite wines were the 2009 Pezzaplana, DOC Castel del Monte Biano. Made from 70% Bombino Bianco and 30% Pampanuto, this has an attractive balance of ripe fruit and acidity. I understand that the Italian wine authorities are considering changing the name of Bombino Bianco to Bambino Bianco in 'honour' of their Prime Minister.

My favourite red was the 2008 Matervitae Negroamaro Puglia Rosso IGT, which was less opulent than some of the Torrevento reds served but had greater complexity, structure and interest. This seemed to be many people's favourite red and very good value at around £8.

We had one spectacular dish at Degò: a trio of ravioli with the centre one being filled with a reduction of Troia (red wine) that spread across the plate when it was cut open.