Arch 374, Helmsley Place, London, E8 3SB, London
Rating *****
Price range: High
Last Thursday I was invited to the first Burnt Enz 'Thirsty Thursday Feast' and it was a gastronomical delight of full-flavoured, pre- industrial brick oven cooked rustic dishes. On arrival I was promptly offered a gin & tea cocktail followed by tartare and srirarcha with new season garlic toasts. But the fun didn't stop there - once seated in the vintage chic surrounds of the Climpson and Sons Roastery, we were served a wonderful starter of Cuttlefish, fennel and aioli, which was delicate, light and refreshing on the pallet.
I was relishing the sparse excitement if it all (and being able to do two of my favourite things - eating and taking photos!) when the main feast arrived. Wow - Guilthead Bream with a green sauce, ongelt, pickled walnut and bone marrow, cherry tomatoes with goats cheese and mint. Down it went, and I mopped up all the tasty juices with freshly baked crusty bread. Being BYO, my good friend Sarah cracked open a cherished bottle of Otago's finest Mount Difficulty 2009 Pinot Noir, which went divinely with the robust meal.
But no meal is complete without dessert. I made sure I had left a bit of room and Burnt Enz didn't disappoint - a luscious chocolate and honeycomb ice-cream, reminded me of summer days, with a sprinkling of macadamia nuts and encased in home made cones with a delectable surprise of a chocolate chunk at bottom of the cone. This feast definitely deserves the full five stars for creativity, great food and atmosphere. Click here to see what the menu is for the next feast...