I adore the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, a building with such immense history, and grandeur, and which was once the Port of London Authority. I’ve had Afternoon Tea in its gorgeous Rotunda Lounge, experienced its stunning Spa, which is the perfect Spa sanctuary in the heart of the city, as well as had cocktails at the Rotunda Bar. It also houses one of my favourite restaurants in London to indulge in Dim Sum – Mei Ume.
Also within this gorgeous hotel is La Dame de Pic, Anne-Sophie Pic’s sequel to her Michelin-starred Paris restaurant of the same name, which I hadn’t yet tried and so when I was invited to review the one michelin starred restaurant, I was intrigued and excited in equal measures.
She is currently the only French female chef to hold 3 Michelin stars, and is well known for her innovative use of ingredients and for using various cooking methods to create powerful and unusual flavour combinations.
I started my evening with a Bellini style cocktail called G.P.C. which was a delicious mix of Champagne, peach, thyme and sloe gin, which I really have grown to love. It was a refreshing start to the evening and really easy to drink.
We then proceeded to our table, where we began our evening with homemade sourdough bread and butter sprinkled with coffee, as well as a mushroom consommé, which was divine.
Next arrived a selection of Amuse Bouche such as a Waffle infused with dill, sobacha, chantilly and umeboshi sour plum, really fun Bonbons, whose case were made with cacao butter and enclosed was a burst of flavour from strawberry, yuzu, gin and sake, as well as a Courgette tartelette filled with foam infused with tomato water, verbena, and topped with passion berry.
We also enjoyed Heirloom Carrots with Jasmine Yogurt, which was beautifully presented.
For my starters I had Berlingots, one of her signature dishes from her main restaurant, which are pyramid shaped Pasta parcels filled with lightly smoked Brillat-Savarin cheese, green asparagus, bergamot and mint. It was incredible, and you could tell it was made to perfection using highly innovative kitchen techniques.
For mains I had the Hereford Beef medium to well done, which was roasted with Monts Amaro coffee, and served with Cinnamon leaf, celeriac in brown butter, Gin and sobacha. I loved this, and I loved the unusual elements and ingredients, marrying together into a show stopping flavoursome dish.
Dessert is always my favourite part of a meal and I had The White Millefeuille, another of her quintessential desserts, and this one was filled with Tahitian vanilla cream, Jasmine jelly and Voatsiperifery pepper foam. Millefeuille means ‘thousand leaves’ in French due to its three layers of puff pastry folded three times and placed on top of each other. I also adore the word Voatsiperifery and it made me smile every time it was mentioned! It is an incredibly rare pepper with strong, pine forest nose, and medium heat – distinguished by light, zesty flavours, and usually found in the Madagascan forests.
It was presented perfectly, and looked so inviting, and you could get hints of the aroma of the pepper as well as the Jasmine. It was one time I didn’t feel guilty about breaking into it, as I was dying to taste it! It was superb, and just what dessert dreams are made of, and the absolutely best way to end a fantastic meal.
Last but not least, a decadent selection of petit fours, which were elaborate in terms of flavour and textures, and just fabulous!
I was so impressed by the entire meal, and it is truly deserving of its michelin star. In fact I have no doubt on a second star! The level of cooking is of superb skill and level, the presentation is exemplary, the service is fantastic, and in its entirety, an excellent experience, perfect for special occasions, treats or just a wonderful meal! I loved trying new flavour combinations, new ingredients that I hadn’t heard of before, and experiencing her wonderful sophisticated cooking, set in the elegant dining rooms at one of my favourite London hotels.
It’s a top recommendation from me!
Laura says
What a superb meal, the amuse bouche look so fun and that dessert looks incredible!
Angie says
I’ve not been yet nut it looks wonderful!