Saturday, 23 November 2024

Wild Flowers

Impactful Mediterranean flavours


Cuttlefish & octopus fideua


Nestled within Newson's Yard, just off Pimlico Road, Wildflowers offers a contemporary Mediterranean dining experience in the heart of west London. Since its launch, the restaurant has been visited by many high-profile British chefs, given that it is run by Aaron Potter, the former head chef of the Michelin-starred restaurant Elystan Street. It branded itself as a Mediterranean-lead restaurant with an international twist, and everything was cooked on charcoal, which sounded very interesting. 

Morchella

Innovative Mediterranean charm


Salt cod churros


London's food scene is ever-evolving, and it takes something truly special for a restaurant to stand out. Morchella, a relatively new gem in the city's bustling culinary landscape, has been quietly making waves with its innovative menu and warm atmosphere. Morchella offers a dining experience that's all about Mediterranean cuisine with a British touch, and highly seasonal. You would find Southern French, Spanish, Italian and Greek essences among the food offerings. The interesting thing about Morchella is it doesn't have a service charge as is factored into the price of the food.

The Cocochine

Bespoke tasting menu


Otoro, foie, caviar


This is my second visit to The Cocochine. Located in the heart of Mayfair, The Cocochine offers a sophisticated dining experience that effortlessly blends the vibrant flavors of Classic French food with the refined elegance of its Mayfair location. From the moment you step inside, the restaurant’s chic, modern, and club vibe décor greets you, setting the stage for a culinary delight. Chef  Larry Jayasekara champions the finest ingredients he can get hold of, from fatty tuna from Japan to top-of-the-range chicken from France. Given I have sampled a lot of dishes from its ALC format. I have requested the restaurant to come up with a bespoke tasting menu for my second visit.

Niju

 Katei Ryori Sundays


Sasahmi


Nestled in the heart of Mayfair, Niju brings an elegant blend of traditional Japanese cuisine and modern sophistication to London’s culinary scene. I visited in Autumn, and I was delighted with its food offering overall, especially in the seafood department. Since then, Niji has come up with a Sunday lunch menu aimed at sharing, pricing at £65 with a selection of cold dishes for starters, grilled meat for the main and a dessert. It is more or less the greatest hit of its regular ALC menu but at a much more reasonable price.

Nanyang Blossom

Blossoming into something special


White tuna and caviar


Nestled in the prestigious Knightsbridge district of London, Nanyang Blossom brings the vibrant culinary heritage of Southeast Asia to life. Chef-owner Darren Liew has a wealth of experience in high-end Asian cuisine in the UK, his approach is all about beautifully blending traditional Asian elements with a modern lens to provide something fresh, interesting yet comforting. What I enjoy about this place is that you can offer a budget, then Darren would come up with a bespoke menu to suit your taste, and that is what I opted for my 5th visit.