All reader reviews by thejolleyeater

Banyan on the Thames

One might not at first think of Battersea when looking for a fine restaurant or fine fayre,but take heed Dear readers for there is an amazing hidden gem of the SW11 area that I urge you to visit. At the recently opened Hotel Rafayel at falcon Wharf stands the delightful Banyan On the Thames. This waterfront restaurant,as part of the Hotel complex is amazing,with delightful views over the Thames,Chelsea Harbour and the general riparian scene. The venue comprises a fantastic bar for pre-dinner drinks and amazingly every table is a river view table. The service is extremely good,My guest and I were looked after all evening by the wonderful Kristian who amazed us by taking our quite complex order by memory and not a notebook in sight-Impressive or what? Mr Lafit the owner,explained that he chose the menu based on the most top-10 popular dishes chosen by customers purchasing meals at Harrods to create a popular gastronomy with something for everyone and indeed there is!

After choosing a delightful wine being guided by the splendid helpful Kristian,we plumped for a full bodied,rich Australian red "Tintarra Horseshoe Row,Shiraz 2006",at a very reasonable £21.95 per bottle My guest and I then moved onto choose a starter-there is an amazing choice of tempting and taste-bud tingling delights coming in at about an average of £8. Choosing from a selection of Caramelized Quail to Smoked Salmon or Seekh Kebab,my guest for Dinner opted for "Banyan Style Chicken Tikka" It was amazing,the chicken was tender,beautifully and delicately marinaded in Indian spices and Yoghurt.It arrived hot and fresh from the Tandoor Oven and was served with a delicious colourful salad. As the sunset broke over Battersea and enjoying our river view,I opted for the "Cromer Crab,Mango and King Prawn served with a Chilli,Mango and Lime Dressing" The entire course complemented each other the Crab was delicate and fresh and contrasted amazingly with the zestiness of the lime and the delicate sweetness and fragrance of the Mango. It was presented beautifully almost like a colourful work of art with the colours and textures on the plate.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10

The Cadogan Arms

From the gastronomic proprietors of The Botanist,Tom and Ed Martin comes their latest venture in the superb spin-off form of gastropub THE CADOGAN ARMS convieniently situated in the King's Road,but a mere short walk from the bustle of Sloane Square.

The bar is very light and airy hosting as one would expect a very comprehensive range of beers,wines and spirits.

Beyond this is the restaurant side of the enterprise.Beautifully decorated,almost Baronial in style with various hunting trophies,antlers and masques adorning the walls and elegant stonework and mahogany.It is almost like taking lunch or dinner in a countryside hunting lodge,given the charm and elegance of the venue.

My guest and I were welcomed by a very friendly and attentive staff who showed us to our table and offered advice should we have needed it in addition to the menu and wine list.

Taking Dinner we chose a superb,crisp and delicate French House White,Vin de Pays L'Herault 2008 at a very modest £15 per bottle.It had a fresh and light taste which complemented superbly our starter of Seared whole Isle of Man Scallops,with Samphire,Confit garlic,hot butter and parsley.(£9.50)which we both plumped for,they were delicious,tender and cooked to perfection,with a fantastic butter and pleasantly lightly salted Samphire.

Samphire being a rare treat for me,as despite being ex-Yorkshire and the actual Samphire beds lbeing on the Lincolnshire sands,an adjoining county,it is a rare as hen's teeth to source it in Yorkshire!

There is an amazing selection of starters,from Cauliflower and Chervil Soup,to Wild Rabbit and numerous fish dishes.All modestly priced at under or around £7.

We were told by our hostess that all the Cadogan Arms fish is freshly purchased daily at Billingsgate and I can certainly believe this the freshness and quality of the Scallops was superb.

For the Main Course we were stumped for Choice,such was the mouthwatering array of offerings, In the end my guest settled upon Slow Braised Middlewhite Pork Shoulder,with Irish Clonnakilty Black Pudding Mash and Bramley Apple Sauce.(£15)

The Pork was amazing,tender and beautiful,almost melt in the mouth.It had a delicious taste as if marinaded but not for too long,just nicely to seep into the meat and add more juiciness and moistness of the pork.

The black pudding was nicely peppery but not overpowering and the Mash and the perfect not too sweet not too tangy Apple sauce complemented the meat wonderfully.

I chose Pan Fried Sea Trout,Creamed Leeks and Sauteed New Potatoes(£16)

Again the freshness of the fish was evident from the start,it was beautifully pink almost salmon-like in its texture with just the right amount of searing to provide a deliciously crisp skin and a beautiful moist texture to the fish,It had been perfectly filleted and not one bone was to be found-Which is a bonus in any fish dish!

The creamed leeks served as a round were very pleasant and the New potatoes "done to a turn!"-

One thing my guest and I commented favourably upon was the very generous portions of the Main Course and also that we were not sure whether by design or artisticness of the Chef,the meat or fish was square in shape,The Pork was amazing but cut as a square and indeed my Trout Fillet was geometrically the same as well.It looked great,and tasted better--So I can certainly recommend the Cadogan Arms for a fantastically filling "square" meal!

For Side Dishes at a very reasonable £3.50 we chose some divine Dauphinoise Potatoes. Creamy and delicious with just the right proportion of cheese and herbs,and some gorgeously colured tender Spring Greens.

Moving on to dessert,and by now feeling full by the generous portions of the Main course

we chose the Special of the Day which was Roasted Pineapple with Creme Fraiche Sorbet.(£5)

Although there is a very good selection of traditional desserts like Apple Crumble and a Selection of Cheeses. The pineapple was heavenly,cut into very fine strips-and indeed arranged in a square layering,it was almost,smoked salmon like with its fine cut,with a wonderfully sweet maple syrup and the Creme fraiche sorbet -Mmm-Amazing.I almost felt like Oliver-"please Sir,May I have some more!"

It was wonderful.My guest agreed that it was a superb and refreshing light finisher to a splendid and superb meal.

This Gastropub was voted the Best in Time Out Magazine's 2009/10 Awards and deservedly so.The Cadogan Arms also has an upstairs room for 60 people for private events,there is no room hire cost,although very reasonably an appropriate spend on drinks or food is expected,which is very fair for an exclusive part of town like this.

5/5 Amazing food and service.Pricing very reasonable.

"Dine like a King,in the King's Road-On the budget of an Earl!"

Friday, April 30, 2010
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9