Arbutus!
Arbutus - my first Michelin experience! Strange, I live in a city blazing with stars, but have never before eaten in one (well, not as a paying diner anyway…). Arbutus opened in May 2006 by the team who previously ran Putney Bridge Restaurant. The whole idea is value for money - high quality food and service in a relaxed atmosphere. Sounds clichéd, but I think they really pulled it off. We arrived a little early, and after leaving our coats with the friendly reception staff, we moved two steps further to the bar. M remarked how simple the place looked. The atmosphere was quiet and subdued. Staff wear jeans. Jeans! In a Michelin-starred restaurant (how cool is that!). Since we were waiting for A & L to arrive, we decided to get started with a nice glass of wine (Riesling, Anton Bauer, Berg Vineyard 2005). Arbutus have a concise, manageable wine list with about 50 varieties covering the whole gamut. A unique feature of the list is that, not only are many available by the glass, but all wines are available in 250 ml carafes. What a great idea! - how many times have I had to resort to water or “a glass of house red, please” because of the outrageous prices charged for a bottle of “Chateau-de-Ripoff”. A & L arrived soonish after and we moved to our table, with the friendly barman promising to follow with our wine. So far so good.
We had a great evening: good company, fantastic food, great wines, and all very affordable! Highlights? Well, the Riesling for a start. We had a red with mains, which was nice, but the Riesling really stood out!
A’s starter of Asparagus with Fried Duck Egg was served in a nice shiny copper pan. The girls both had Watercress and Pea Soup, and were promptly served with a small delicate garnish in deep soup bowls. M looked bewildered - they had ordered soup, right?! You know, the liquidy stuff you eat with a spoon, or sip from a steaming mug? Like the proverbial genie, a waiter popped out of nowhere, all cheery smile, holding two jugs. With a flourish, he proceeded to empty its luridly bright green contents into the two bowls. Sorted.
I had decided to be brave (or a show-off?) and went for the offal - Braised Pig’s Head - soft, tender, fatty goodness - lovely with the onion jam and creamy potatoes. It was the garnish which turned me off : a little pile of thinly sliced ribbons. Brain I presume, or ear, or something. Seriously smelly (and I grew up on a farm!). I managed to get it all down, helped along by a good slosh of the red.
Mains were equally top-notch. I had some slow cooked lamb, very tender, while A had the beef. The girls both went for Scallops with Risotto - a very sexy dish, the seared scallops perfectly cooked, served with creamy, silky, lovely risotto! I had to sneak one of M’s scallops - they were too tempting!
Aah dessert…not only did I thoroughly enjoy my Vanilla Cheesecake with Gariguette Strawberries, but I also helped finish all the other 3 desserts…I was one happy chappy! The bill came to about £30-40 each for food, plus wine. Not bad at all.