Racine

Thursday, August 25, 2011 - I'm happy to say that the rump of lamb was without a doubt the best piece of lamb I've ever eaten, anywhere. It was ridiculously good. Beautifully cooked pink, soft, tender meat. With the accompanying pea puree, runner beans and mint, I could have eaten it all day...and I almost did, the portion size was surprisingly huge. Not that I'm complaining. E's fillet of mullet, fennel, radish and watercress salad was also a fantastic dish. A superb fennel puree cut through the oiliness of the fish beautifully and combined well with the freshness of the aniseed, peppery kick of the salad.

Monday, October 05, 2009 - Fillet of cod, parsley puree and oxtail marmalade - The dish looks every bit the part, the three contrasting colours vivid and inviting. The fish was beautifully pan-fried, just the way I like it - only ever so slightly undercooked, flaky, bouncy and juicy...A strange meal to judge, on one hand, I think that the cooking is of a high technical quality, and I appreciated how the food was not overly buttery rich, so characteristic of French cuisine. But on the other hand, great dishes are also the result of great combinations and in that respect, it was a little forgettable.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - To follow, I chose the Grilled rabbit, mustard sauce and smoked bacon. The rabbit was one of the plumpest I've ever encountered and was moist and tender. On the side was a bowlful of large boiled new potatoes, a little dull but I made do by smearing them in the mustard sauce...we searched inside for that little extra pocket of space that always seems to exist for dessert. I wanted the Cherry clafoutis, creme anglaise and yes, I got it. The cherry clafoutis is gorgeous and I wish I had room for another. Blai and I were also licking the creme anglaise out of its tiny little jug.