Last night I was lucky enough to tag along for one of the pre opening tasting sessions for The Typeing Room, the new restaurant at the Townhall Hotel in London. There is so much buzz going around this place, as for some people it has bigs shoes to fill, taking over the previous spot of El Viajante by Nuno Mendes - now moved further west to Marylebone at The Chiltern Street Firehouse.
And now that we have all those hotels out of the way, on to the interesting part - the restaurant. There were still a few elements missing, but for a concept that was up together in about 3 months time, it's already off to a great start. First impression is the warm greeting by the hostesses and restaurant manager welcoming you through the main restaurant entrance (you can also go in through the hotel, but they weren't as friendly). As you walk in, the layout is quite cozy, with only about 40 covers, the boutique essence of Viajante is still very present. Even more so with the tasting menu that was presented to us on the night.
After a welcome glass of bubbles, the sommelier suggested a glass of white to go along with the first 4 courses - as these were mainly fish or vegetable based. While we waited for the food we were entertained by two lovely little loaves of bread and homemade butters - rosemary brioche with a crispy chicken skin butter and a black olive roll with unsalted butter. The first two were a match made in heaven with the chicken skin infused butter just melting into the sweet light rosemary loaf, which I could have easily kept on eating all night. The latter, apart from the bread was quite boring, but that's perhaps as I don't agree with unsalted butter - that's just called over whipped cream.
We then started our meal of with a "snack" of which there were 3 to choose from: Courgette & Basil Profiteroles with black olive, Crispy Fish Skin, Smoked Cod, Oyster & Dill and Chicken wing 'drumstic', wild garlic, potato & Lemon. The profiteroles were perfectly cooked, little pockets of pastry filled with the most flavoursome basil filling and topped off with a kettle black olive tapenade which was the perfect savoury addition. The fish skin was lovely and crispy, however the emulsions were just a little too fishy for me. And from what I heard the chickens dings are actually a taken on a very popular English dish - which you will have to guess on your own - but it's very clever.
After that came 3 dishes I was slightly dreading - fish and cauliflower, of which I'm not a huge fan. What followed was a beautiful plate of Mackerel, passion fruit, burnt cucumber & radish. What was most surprising was the subtle passion fruit smell and flavour that envelops this fish known for it' s overpowering flavours. As the mackerel is raw, you don't get any smocked or oily flavours which I think is what always outs me off. The mini cucumber balls and burnt cucumber, that tasted more of pickles, were a fresh addition mixed with the passion fruit swipe.
This was followed by Yeasted cauliflower, raisins, capers and mint which was more of a medley of cauliflowers whith dehydrated cauliflower which was the deep fried lightly dressed with the mint and the raisins which just every so often gave you a touch of sweetness. However, the start for me was Brill, heritage tomatoes, courgette, & squid with a perfectly cooked piece of fish - crispy on the outside and still moist, with crunchy samphire and juice sweet tomatoes all coming together thanks to the tomato consomme poured on top at the table.
By this point I was already thinking, I'm starting to get a little full, but there is still the lamb to come. Once again the dish was presented beautifully, adorned with edible flowers, but the Lamb, smoked aubergine, wild garlic, yoghurt & onion left me with an overpowering taste of smoked aubergine in my mouth. Although the lamb was cooked perfectly, and the yoghurt and onions were a great addition, there was just too much of the smoked aubergine and it just took over all the flavours and lingered for quite some time.
I was very grateful for the palate cleanser before dessert, a refreshing granita with, if I remember correctly, apple segments that had marinated in vinegar - so a little tart at times, but at least it got rid if that smokey flavour.
For afters there is a choice of dessert or a selection of local cheese. I opted for the Coffee Caramel Nd orange which looked like a work of art. About 7 different ways of presenting these flavours, whether it was ice cream, pop corn, toffee, tuilles, what felt like macaroons and maybe a panda outta - if you love coffee or caramel or both - you will be in heaven.
It took us about 3.5 hours to get through dinner, and the service was friendly and attentive, with glasses being topped up at a good pace. Wine pairings worked, however didn't really get many details from the sommelier about the wines. And if you are in to your cheese, you must have a chat with their sweet and passionate "cheese lady" - although very young, she is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the cheese board.
Really looking forward to visiting the Typing Room again once they are up and running - and hopefully get to see the chefs in action in the open plan show kitchen. But I will have to be quick, as this place no doubt will be on every foodie's list from now on.
Tasting menu excluding wine starting from £55
Closest tube station: Bethnal Green
And now that we have all those hotels out of the way, on to the interesting part - the restaurant. There were still a few elements missing, but for a concept that was up together in about 3 months time, it's already off to a great start. First impression is the warm greeting by the hostesses and restaurant manager welcoming you through the main restaurant entrance (you can also go in through the hotel, but they weren't as friendly). As you walk in, the layout is quite cozy, with only about 40 covers, the boutique essence of Viajante is still very present. Even more so with the tasting menu that was presented to us on the night.
After a welcome glass of bubbles, the sommelier suggested a glass of white to go along with the first 4 courses - as these were mainly fish or vegetable based. While we waited for the food we were entertained by two lovely little loaves of bread and homemade butters - rosemary brioche with a crispy chicken skin butter and a black olive roll with unsalted butter. The first two were a match made in heaven with the chicken skin infused butter just melting into the sweet light rosemary loaf, which I could have easily kept on eating all night. The latter, apart from the bread was quite boring, but that's perhaps as I don't agree with unsalted butter - that's just called over whipped cream.
After that came 3 dishes I was slightly dreading - fish and cauliflower, of which I'm not a huge fan. What followed was a beautiful plate of Mackerel, passion fruit, burnt cucumber & radish. What was most surprising was the subtle passion fruit smell and flavour that envelops this fish known for it' s overpowering flavours. As the mackerel is raw, you don't get any smocked or oily flavours which I think is what always outs me off. The mini cucumber balls and burnt cucumber, that tasted more of pickles, were a fresh addition mixed with the passion fruit swipe.
By this point I was already thinking, I'm starting to get a little full, but there is still the lamb to come. Once again the dish was presented beautifully, adorned with edible flowers, but the Lamb, smoked aubergine, wild garlic, yoghurt & onion left me with an overpowering taste of smoked aubergine in my mouth. Although the lamb was cooked perfectly, and the yoghurt and onions were a great addition, there was just too much of the smoked aubergine and it just took over all the flavours and lingered for quite some time.
For afters there is a choice of dessert or a selection of local cheese. I opted for the Coffee Caramel Nd orange which looked like a work of art. About 7 different ways of presenting these flavours, whether it was ice cream, pop corn, toffee, tuilles, what felt like macaroons and maybe a panda outta - if you love coffee or caramel or both - you will be in heaven.
Really looking forward to visiting the Typing Room again once they are up and running - and hopefully get to see the chefs in action in the open plan show kitchen. But I will have to be quick, as this place no doubt will be on every foodie's list from now on.
Tasting menu excluding wine starting from £55
Closest tube station: Bethnal Green
