Our first experience at tasting the culinary delights of Chef James was last July with our friends for our anniversary din dins! The food was yummy and the extra care in ensuring Lucy had her preferred options made it even more special. Today we are back to experience his culinary delight one last time before the restaurant closes 😥.Yes fam, alas, Chef James has made an executive decision to close. However, do not despair, he still will be creating culinary delights in the form of a bristo called Taverna Bristo 👏🏽.
Our 7 course tasting menu paired with wine was divine! I mean, Chef James and his team did a ting!!! We kicked off with a glass of bubbly and amuse bouche, which was smoked eel, grouper on a cracker, parmesan. As well as, local bread, extra virgin oil, arjoli and kitchen snacks! and just like that we were off!!!
The starter was what I dubbed ‘almond cracker honey comb’ which really was scallop tartare with green apple gel, cucumber salad, wasabi wasabi have the fresh scallops a kick with the cucumber simultaneously cooling this down, it was good!
Maltese ravioli ‘inside out’ was interesting. The ravioli itself was not as heavy as expected and it had cheese foam.. yep! Cheese foam on the top! The tomato flavour really popped with the Fenici rose wine which had notes of strawberry!
Fillet of fresh seasonal fish with creamed leeks, ginger and champagne velouté, kaffir lime leaves and coriander shoots sounds like a very busy dish right? Well, it wasn’t. To be honest, this dish was nothing like I expected and this is why, as I always say, I love going on food adventures.
The ginger in the fish was just enough for the flavour and not overbearing, the infused vegetables were so yummy, Neal even gave it a thumbs up😮! Our ‘pour over’ dish was an iberio pork chop with hot dog flavours, and potatoes, the gravy was yummy. It was not too thick and flavourful.
I do love a well-presented palate cleanser but I wasn’t prepared for an ice cream palate cleanser. The home made yuzu ice cream? Pheww! Think creamiest sorbet ever!
it was refreshingly delish! The pudding though? Praline ice cream popsicle, white chocolate glaze, slated caramel and hazel textures!
When I tell you my inner child did a whole dance routine? I tell no lies! Goodness gracious it was soo good! I mean the flavours burst in your mouth, it was everything and probably one of the best we have had on the island yet! Of course we had to enjoy some petit fours because why not?
This was a fab farewell tasting menu Chef James. We will be back to see your new digs! Wishing you all the best!
Cheers,
Ndidi
The wines
