Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

2 legends, one memorable feast (special event)

BBQ lobster, cacao, spices, carrot with lobster sauce

I normally shy away from special one-off chef collaboration dinner events, especially when one of the chefs is coming from overseas, as they might not be familiar with the local ingredients or working in someone else's kitchen. There is a strong chance you would end up not really getting the true level that the oversea chef is really capable of. However, I got to give Mickael Viljanen from Ireland an expectation as I had a really wonderful meal from Greenhouse Dublin when he was the chef there. He has since moved to Chapter One (also in Dublin) and many would rate it the best restaurant in Ireland. So this was a good opp for me when he is coming over to the UK to team up with Alex Dilling at Cafe Royal.

Canapes

Scallop, caviar, cucumber and elderflower

Oyster, caviar and ginger

36 months comte, pasta, macadamia, truffle

Wild brill, smoked eel, cuttlefish

The special one-off collaboration comes in 8 courses, with each Alex and Mickael taking on 4 dishes. Form Mickael, the lobster dish was stunning, who knew carrot would work with a lobster? Somehow the sweetness really enhanced the freshness of the lobster with a hint of ginger and cloves. and no wonder the Michelin guide has rated it as one of the 'Most Memorable Dishes' from last year. Alex's veal sweetbread is also fabulous, it was roasted perfectly with a soft buttery taste, finely seasoned and the black truffle delivered a lovely earthy aroma that totally took the dish to a whole new level.

Sweet bread,truffle, boudin blanc...

Served with macaroni cheese with more truffle!

Chocolate, miso, coffee, salted milk sorbet

Vacherin, vanilla, pepper, coconut

P4

I think this well could be the meal to beat for the rest of 2023 as it was one of the best-ever dining experiences I had in the UK. Shame it is just a one-off. But it was good to revisit Mickael's offering again and keep seeing Alex delivering some amazing food as always. Keep an eye out on Dilling's Instagram channel where they release information about future 4 Hands dinners, I am sure whoever Alex teamed up with next, will sure to be something really special. And his restaurant at Cafe Royal I would rate as one of my top 5 in London right now.

Food 5/5



Average cost without drinks and services:
£175 (tasting menu)


68 Regent St., London W1B 4DY

https://alexdilling.com/