Joe and his team at Counter 71 kicked off the London food adventure season and they did the darn thing! The weather was fantastic (spring really be trying to come through) and of course the city was buzzing with people out and about, Oh how I have missed the London food scene! Arrived at Counter 71 early (because yeah, we eager like that) and decided to grab a drink at Lowcountry which is literally downstairs of the restaurant. It was a vibe, the mixologist was ever so lovely and her cocktails were delicious! and yes, had to take one of them to the restaurant because waste not, want not okay?!
The décor of the restaurant I truly liked. It is a long ‘L’ shaped counter that seats about 10 people. Similar to Aulis and Sushi Ya but the vibes gave Gaggan Annand! The open plan sitting meant you could see the action live – prepping, plating, and everything in between.
The 14 course menu was the business! As I write, I still cant get over how mind blowing some of the courses were🔥. I stan 10 toes down 👏🏽!!! Let’s get into it. The chef’s intro was a 3 course amuse bouche – (1) fermented spelt, cep and truffle (2) trout served with wasabi and caviar and (3) last but not least, tartare with fermented chilli and bone marrow!
First off, can we appreciate just how pretty these are? The Trout gave sashimi vibes, the bone marrow was a 10 day process, fresh baked brioche I mean it was just umami on a thousand, texture and flavour! All accompanied with Sussex sparkling wine – delish. The meal kicked off with Nutbourne Tomato, rhubarb and marigold! The fermented tomato juice with rhubarb was sweet and citrusy.
The tomato had a good bite to it which almost had you thinking it was beef and was perfectly paired with chenin blanc wine. Our first course was Langoustine, tomato and seaweed which was presented on a skewer 😮.
I felt like I was having crab? Like soft shell flavourful shell fish thingy magig😊! I should have known at this point that the remaining of this menu was only going to get better because the cuttlefish, mushroom and spring onion? 😱. The fish were thin strips that look like Udon noodles and was served as a pour over?
Tell me this does not look like a Udon noodle dish? I promise you it was not! It was C U T T L E F I S H! And it was👌. The Cod- Vin Jaune was equally divine. The beef with spring vegetable and chive looked like the bougie version of Sunday roast.
I really liked that it still have the familiar and comforting taste of a Sunday roast too. Our Palate cleanser was apple, cider vinegar and yogurt, come on gut health 😉
It was cold and refreshing, perfect for the weather today, it SLAPPED! Cobnut and milk for pudding that really said – ”you have not tasted anything like me” and It did not lie!
Additional savouries – fennel seed custard tart, chocolate tart and financier
brought the meal to a close! Ouu it was good. Sourcing the ingredients within the UK – Isle of Sky (langoustine & Cod) , Lake District (Beef) Brixham (cuttlefish) Kent (Cobnut) really does show that Joe and his team are about promoting local produce. What made it even more special was the interaction with us (the diners) and the camaraderie between Joe and his team, nothing like a bit of banter eh?
Counter 71, thank you. The London tasting menu season is off on a grand start!
Cheers
Ndidi
P.S. The extras
