5 things to do today dines at Heston Blumenthal’s ‘The Perfectionists Cafe’ in the departure lounge of the Queen’s Terminal at London’s Heathrow airport.
The restaurant was inspired by Heston’s TV series – In Search of Perfection.
One
Save plenty of time to fully enjoy The Perfectionist Cafe. You don’t want to be rushed and frantic here, you need time to completely enjoy the experience. The staff have been trained however to serve perfection fast! All food is explained and you will be surprised at how much effort has gone into each dish. Culinary history is taken into account in addition to much science!
Two
Before you even sit down marvel at the chef’s clockwork knife. This knife is imaginative and huge and used as part of the signage on the front of the cafe. Here are a few videos to tell you a little bit more about this kinetic knife – cogs turn akin to the mind of Heston Blumenthal and his search for perfection! This knife was integral to the branding of the restaurant.
Three
Try a cocktail in a cloud. These come in alcoholic and mocktail varieties and are one of the cafe’s showcase drinks. This one pictured is non alcoholic and is a ‘Summer Shrub with a mandarin & Thyme cloud. I was not drinking on this occasion but next time a Merlot cloud and a Portobello road gin Negroni will be ordered. The clouds are created using dry ice which allow you to drink your drink through an aroma scented cloud – sounds unbelievable but it really works. Of course other drinks are available ranging from a pot of tea through to a bottle of fine Champagne Laurent Perrier Brut.
SUMMER SHRUB WITH A MANDARIN & THYME NON ALCOHOLIC CLOUD A hazy summer afternoon blend of strawberry, red wine vinegar and raspberry – at The Perfectionists Cafe London Heathrow
Four
Eat! Whether it’s a full English breakfast (served all day) or the fish and chips you will be impressed with your order and surprised how different it is. Dishes are designed to be multi sensory, for instance the fish and chips are served with an atomiser – a tiny bottle of essence which you spray onto your food. The aroma and flavours this creates take you back to the old fashioned ‘chippie’ you used to know at the seaside.
The Perfectionists’ Café special beer batter is aerated through a siphon to create the lightest, crunchiest texture possible, and for that real smell of the ‘chippie’ it is served with an atomizer of malt vinegar pickled onion juice – bottled at source!
Pizzas are excellent and cooked in the first wood fired oven ever at Heathrow airport – apparently there was quite a battle to have it authorised. This was before Heston got thinking about liquid nitrogen for the smoothest ice cream you will ever have.
NITRO Ice Cream with Chocolate Shavings
We lost count of the number of toppings available in the nitro ice cream parlour. The classic burger is also available but with a Heston twist – it obeys the three finger rule so you get to taste everything with one bite. This video will tell you a little bit more.
THE PERFECTIONISTS’ CAFÉ BURGER Served in a toasted brioche bun with onion, lettuce, tomato, dill pickles and The Perfectionists’ Café burger sauce to finish it off.
Five
Take your children and they can eat for free. This means you have more money to spend on you! Another Virgin Mary or no cheese pizza anyone?
VIRGIN MARY. – Tomato, Lemon, Maldon Salt, White Miso, Smoke, Hellfire.
Children can choose from this menu and is available on these dates.
11-21st February
23 March – 17 April
26 May – 4 June
14 July – 4 September
20 Oct – 1 November
10 Dec – 8 January (2017)
The Perfectionists Cafe at London’s Heathrow airport is the ideal place to eat and dine well before your travels.
The ambience created by Heston’s team allow you to feel that you are not actually at an airport but somewhere much more sophisticated.
The prices are affordable and you find dishes to suit all tastes.
The multisensory aspect really adds to the eating and drinking experience.
The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and knowledgeable about their menu. The idea that children can eat for free is a real bonus and well worth taking advantage of.
If you have dined at The Perfectionists Cafe recently then please comment and let us know how much you enjoyed it.
Thank for reading.
