London – 10/2/14 – Dabbous, Callooh Callay, Lyle’s

Dabbous
I had read quite a few mixed reviews of Dabbous, but there was enough good that when I could actually get a reservation I had to check it out. The tomato on toast was perfect. Such a great example of how the most simple dish, well executed with great ingredients can be the standout of the entire meal. I’m still a bit puzzled however by the acorn flour noodles. It tasted exactly like ramen noodles. I haven’t done enough research to determine if this was a deliberate haute version (in which case they nailed it) or was accidental.

Tomato on toast

Acorn flour noodles in a duck & fenugreek broth

Roast veal fillet with late summer vegetables & a light cheese broth

Warm fig & honey cake

Chilled rice milk infused with fig leaves

Callooh Cally
I stopped by Callooh Cally on my way to dinner and had two lovely cocktails and a lovely chat with the bartender about other cocktail spots in London. Loved the Oyster card menus.

Fernet Me Not

Lyle’s
I debated lunch vs dinner at Lyle’s but finally decided that sometimes not having to make decisions is a good thing and so went with the fixed dinner menu.

Snacks

I was in the middle of a book I have been trying to find the time to finish for weeks. It was historical fiction about WWII, had nothing to do with food or the sea. Yet oddly enough as soon as I finished the mackerel dish, I turned the page to find this line.