The Trishaw: lunch

Pied a Terre has been on my to lunch list for the longest time. Finally, we managed to finally go there for what is known as one of the best value lunch in London. Since we had to take a day off work to run some errands, we thought we might as well use it to the fullest.

We were greeted with big smiles and warm welcome as we entered. They even asked which area we would like to sit since there were 2 different rooms. We of course sat at the more cosy part, the one without a group of suits at their business lunch meeting.

The meal started off with some canapes of crispy croquettes and a spoonful of tuna tartare. The tuna was so fresh and melted in the mouth.

Then came the starter of pickled cornish mackerel with golden cauliflower, heritage carrots, watercress and smoked eel which I really liked. This was the preferred starter to the below sweetbread P had. It was not because I am much more of a fish person but I enjoyed the many different flavours and cooking method of the fish, all well executed.

Salad of veal sweetbreads with mushroom vinaigrette, green beans, baby artichokes and summer truffle was nice and earthy.

Pan fried fillet of cod with lightly poached prawns, rock samphire, sea purslane and tarragon nage was very well cooked and moist. It was an elegant dish.

The lamb was pink and tender, served with shaved fennel, confit garlic, pineapple tomato, and dill puree. The potato pillows were there to give it some visual and crunch effect. A pretty dish in general but lacking in potential flavours from a lamb dish.

Olive oil and lime parfait with crunchy meringue, whipped creme fraiche and macerated cherries was a perfect summer dessert. It was light and refreshing yet not too sweet.

Petit fours

Enjoying the last bits of the meal

Though simple, this was the best doughnuts I have ever had. It was soft and fluffy, light as ever coated with ground cinnamon and sugar.

Smile..

For what it is, it is of really good value and worth visiting for lunch. The service was friendly and attentive. Food was good though I was expecting more 'blow my mind' flavours since it used to be a 2 michelin star restaurant, now 1.

Frown..

They only serve lunch menu on weekdays. Would have been good to be able to order lunch menu on a Saturday as well.

Will I return?

Yes of course. Perhaps a la carte or tasting menu the next time.

Pied a Terre

34 Charlotte Street
W1T 2NH London,UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 1178

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Bermondsey is becoming the new chic area with many restaurants and cafe popping up. Many of them have good reviews. One fine cold but sunny Sunday, we went to Village East for brunch. At least that was the plan initially but plans sometimes change for the better.

Entrance to Village East

After a long walk from the station, we finally arrived! The restaurant was already buzzing with people who had woken up from their possibly amazing saturday night out or in, now well dressed and pretty. Everyone looked happy and fresh, some came from exhibition at Tate Modern in their stylish frocks.

The bar filled with all sorts of fruit juices you can imagine. If you please, early cocktails are served too. It's Sunday after all.

Baked skate wing with miso glaze, pak choy and rice.

Like I told you, we planned to have brunch but it was already lunch time and oh well, lunch menu looked too tempting to have eggs Benedict. And because the menu was so good, I was torn between two fish dishes. I could not decide which fish was better but the girl taking my order had a look in her eyes when she said the skate wing tasted much better. I trusted her and was not disappointed at all.

My friend ordered pan fried hake fillet with saffron, clam and squid orzo with bouillabaisse sauce which I was about to order. The hake was well cooked and delicious but frankly speaking, the skate wing was a winner.

Juice overload

Later, M joined us after his lunch meeting with his mates at Pizarro, just across the road from us. They couldn't get a table at Village East cause they were being men, and not made reservation. Hah!! The staff happily moved us from our table for two to the more spacious lounge area as there were no more tables available. We were happy sitting at the lounge area. It was a stylishly arranged space with comfortable couch. They even had my favourite Sori Yanagi Butterfly stool! Tick.