The Ledbury

London's finest

My third visit to my favourite London restaurant. The Ledbury really needs no introduction any more, holder of two Michelin stars and voted 13th best restaurant in the world. Chef-patron Brett Graham is truly a special talent, having eaten in a good number of top restaurants in London, I can say that only Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley is at a similar level. The energy, the passion and enthusiasm from Brett is second to none, but at the same time he is also very composed and laid back which makes him such a unique chef!

The Ledbury

canapes

lobster amuse bouche

I went for the tasting menu again and there were some familiar dishes on the menu, not a problem as I am more than happy to relive the happy memory I had from my last visit. The special bacon roll here is a must to try, warm and crispy with a robust savoury taste. The hand dived scallop was just the kind of starter you would love in summer. Fresh, sweet and juicy. Interesting to see Tokyo turnips paired with the scallop for its dedicated sweet and bitter taste, I am starting to see a lot of London restaurants using it for its seafood dishes such as Hibiscus and Pollen Street Social.

bread

ceviche of hand dived scallop with Tokyo turnips,
seaweed oil and frozen horseradish

salad of green beans with fresh almonds,
peach and grated foie gras

The flame grilled mackerel has become a staple in The Ledbury's tasting menu, I had the very same dish last time and the it tasted just like how I remembered it. Crispy skin, good balance of saltiness within the fish, nice mild flavours from the cucumber and the mustard, the extra softness and coolness really worked with a rich fish like the mackerel. 

flame grilled mackerel with pickled cucumber,
Celtic mustard and shiso

wild salmon with tomatoes cooked in lobster oil,
crayfish and lemon verbena

short rib of ruby red beef with celeriac baked in juniper,
smoked bone marrow and wild garlic

The best dish of the evening had to be the roast breast and confit leg of pigeon. The meat was so moist and tender, packed with robust and earthy flavours with the game taste not going overboard. The cherry blossom worked extremely well with the meat, the sweet and bitter notes really lifted up the whole dish together, stunning. Really like their cheese board, not the biggest but a very solid selection, the cheese waiter did an outstanding job with the recommendation and I love everything she served.

roast breast and confit leg of duck with salted cherry blossom,
red vegetables and leaves

cheese board

cheese

Service was of high standard and I really enjoyed the chat with Darren at the end to understand a bit more about the fine dining scene in London. Apart from the salmon dish, I can not fault anything. All the food was of top quality, elegant in taste and pleasing on the eyes. I think maybe because this is my third visit, so the wow factor was not there as I pretty much knew the types and styles of the food that were going to come out from the kitchen. This was the best meal I had so far in London 2013 alongside Simon Rogan's Roganic (Sadly no longer with us). I wonder if any of my up and coming bookings can match that....

Pre dessert

Pave of milk chocolate with milk puree and lovage ice cream

Tasting menu:
Amuse bouche
Ceviche of hand dived scallop with Tokyo turnips, seaweed oil and frozen horseradish
Salad of green beans with fresh almonds, peach and grated foie gras
Flame grilled mackerel with pickled cucumber, celtic mustard and shiso
Wild salmon with tomatoes cooked in lobster oil, crayfish and lemon verbena
Short rib of ruby red beef with celeriac baked in juniper, smoked bone marrow and wild garlic
Roast breast and confit leg of duck with salted cherry blossom, red vegetables and leaves
Cheese
Pre dessert
Pave of milk chocolate with milk puree and lovage ice cream

Food 5/5

Executive chef: 
Brett Graham

What I paid: 
£150 with 2 glasses of wine

Average cost without drinks and services:
Lunch menu: £50
Tasting menu: £115


27 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ

www.theledbury.com