The menu was emailed through a few days before and the address of the venue with an instruction to just 'knock on the yellow door'. Just along from the tube exit was a bowler hatted man in a bright yellow dicky bow standing by a yellow door........we'd arrived. We ascended up some very steep rickety stairs and were met by some funky looking land girls/extremely up to date fashionistas who took our coats and gave us some toy cars to exchange for a glass of punch.
The evening then got down to the subject in hand, the food was served. An array of antipasti was brought out on boards with generous portions. 'Burrata with mint pesto, Cured Tomatoes, Smoked Aubergine and Rye Crisps, Proscuitto, Lardo, Peach, Basil & Almonds, Beef Carpaccio with Mustard Dressing and Ricotta then Mushroom & Asparagus Arancini with Truffle & Porcini Mayonnaise'.
Wow is all i can say. Every ingredient was so unbelieveably fresh and of the best quality that it took us by surprise. We weren't in Notting Hill, we were transported directly to an Italian flatshare in Florence.....delicious meats, the creamiest burrata (mozzarella and cream), fresh veg elements and oh my, the truffle & porcini mayo.......a generous smear covered the board and was practically licked clean.
The main pasta dish was then served, Egg Tagliatelle with Spiced Duck Ragu. Hands down the best dish of the night. The duck meat was so tender it melted in your mouth and it tasted like mulled wine spices had been used to pack the punchy flavours into it. Thank god there was a generous dish put in front of us because the politeness went out the window and everyone was helping themselves to seconds and thirds, really really good.
The last dish was the meat course, Belly Porchetta with Caponata, Pickled Veg and Pinenuts. A smaller portion that expected from the description but still tasty and flavoursome. Plus just having eaten practically half a duck in the previous course, maybe half a piggy wasn't required.
This was the last of the courses to be served at the table as the host of the evening introduced us to the chefs, they took a bow and then ushered us out of our seats as they needed to pack away and let punters in.
3 miniature desserts of Cannelloni with Pistachios, Pine Nut Caramel Tart and Choc & Tiramisu Pannacotta were served from the bar where members of the public were now queuing at and so we manged to grab a nibble of each but in not very comfortable circumstances. We took that as a sign to leave.
Food was top rate, we will be monitoring where Wandering Chef will pop up next and will book our places.
This lady would have approved aswell.
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