It is almost a year since lockdown started for us in these parts and I don’t know about you guys but I am hitting the pandemic wall😱. I have gone through all the emotions imaginable and then some! Whilst I am grateful for health, life for myself, Neal and our families, friends and loved ones, IT is still A LOT! This is a quick reminder garmanvsfood family to breathe, exhale, whooosa,
Take as many time outs as you want and remember to catch your joy how and when you can! For me, I remain reminiscing on when we could go out and enjoy a meal! I stay counting down to when we can do this as part of the new normal whatever that is. I happened to be scrolling through photos on my computer trying to stay organised whilst thinking up other elements for this blog and I see pictures that were not saved in any folders. I was like huh? What, who, where? Quick consult with Neal, he goes through his library and says to me “ these are from the Dorchester back in 2017”! why does the 2017 sound so far away like?
The meal at Dorchester happened on a Friday in May, just under 2 weeks to Neal’s birthday. Summer was in the air and it was a time when TGIF meant after work drinks and din dins!!!! Oh how the times have changed eh? 😥Anyway, if memory serves me right, I got an email notification about this meal deal going on at the Dorchester and not one to pass up on a deal, I took it ha! I remember we had to get there separately sinced I worked from home on Fridays and Neal worked from anywhere lol! Plus, Park lane is busy! it’s by Hyde park, just off Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, and full of TOURISTS!🤣 We rock up anyway and it is gorgeous in there. Found out there are a few restaurants within the hotel as well as a chef’s table which Neal and I were excited at the prospect of trying it out.
Din dins started with spring salad for me which was … no wait, we started with a glass of bubbly 😍😆😄!
Then I had the spring salad with goat cheese and cranberry juice. Can I just say nothing beats a good salad – the ones with the right leaves (I don’t do bitter tasting leaves in my salad), the right crunch and dressing you know? Neal’s starter was interesting – boiled egg, peas and gravy, like I said interesting🤷♂️. He loved it though and It did look good.
You lot already know how we feel about pork belly! When there is pork belly on the menu, 9 times out of 10, it will be our choice ha😋! I particularly liked that the pork belly was carved at the table, served with peas & potatoes.
Pudding was souffle and it was the favourite bit if the meal for me. Neal’s souffle was chocolate and I had the pistachio served with salted caramel ice cream, it was yummy!
The finale to this meal was the port! Yes I do like a bit of port and the Dorchester serve 10 year aged Tawny port and my days, it was good! As a rule, I am not a keen red wine drinker and I am particular about the grape (south African Pinotage always) but this port was delicious. I know, I know, Port generally tend to be sweet, but this was really good plus I am a sucker for a good ol’ pudding wine.
Dinner at the Dorchester is nay to shabby! Looking forward to a good ol’ TGIF soon!
Cheers
Ndidi
