A birthday tasting menu at the Salutation Inn
As it was K's birthday treat, we went for his choice: the 8 course tasting menu with matching wine flight. No negotiations. We chose to not see the menu either, so each course was a surprise!
Shortly we were ushered into the dining room where the friendly sommelier greeted us and talked about the first wine, without giving away exactly what the first dish was. The wine was a Marcus Molitor 2014 Riesling. The food soon followed: crispy smoked haddock, curried parsnip mousse with extra bits of haddock hidden inside, a poached quails egg and a parsnip crisp on top. A great start, creamy, delicately fishy and light.
Next to drink was a Robert Denogent 2014 Pouilly Fuisse, to go with the next plate of: roasted scallops with scallop foam, artichoke pieces, bok choi and truffle oil. Another lovely fish dish, really enjoyable.
With the next wine, we tried to guess the variety before the sommelier imparted us with his knowledge. As soon as I smelt it, my younger years of drinking white wine on a Saturday night came flooding back... "That, distinguished guests, I think you'll find, is a Sauvignon Blanc." Chuckles from the table, then music to my ears from the sommelier: "Correct!"
To be precise, it was a Quando 2015 Sauvignon Blanc which went very well (obviously) with our next dish, moules marinieres. Whilst the rest of the table devoured theirs, I was slightly more hesitant as mussels are one of the (very few) things that I do not like. The setting being as it was, of course I had to give it a go! I had one, some of the broth, some crispy bits, then another to give a fair try, then discree....t..ly swapped my dish with K's empty one. Still not for me.
Next up, something I really could get stuck into: Greendale Farm beef sirloin with foie gras, turnip mash, broccoli and Madeira Sauce. Alongside this, a Paul Jaboulet Aine Cornas 2010 Syrah. This is one of those dishes that I could easily eat a full-size portion of. Delicious!
Then, a dish I wasn't expecting at this point, cheese! And what a selection it was. Between four of us, we had nine varieties. These were (from left to right in pic) Little Stinky, Rainbows Gold, Keens Extra Mature, Blue Bay, Godminster Oak Smoked Vintage Cheddar, Ragstone Goats Cheese, Extra Mature Cornish Gouda, Creamy Goat and finally, Fosseway Fleece. The Ragstone was the ripest goats cheese I had ever eaten, oozing out onto the plate, I didn't know goats cheese could get that strong! Alongside the Ragstone, my favourites were the Blue Bay and the Little Stinky, all nice and potent.
Time for the sweets and first out was a pistachio cake with rhubarb ice cream, rhubarb jelly and pistachio cream. To accompany, a dark-red Akashi-Tai Plum Infused Sake. Having Greek heritage, I've had a lot of pistachio in my life. But, never before with rhubarb. And wow, what a revelation it was! Great combination of flavours.
Then, almost immediately followed a plate of salted caramel. Salted caramel slice, salted caramel popcorn, salted caramel ice cream, salted caramel sauce with chocolate covered hazlenuts, gold leaf, white chocolate Chantilly cream and a white chocolate ring. Accompanied by our final wine for the evening, a Maury, Jean Marc Lafage 2014 Grenache.
For coffees we ventured back into the sitting room and the comfy sofas. Now by this point in the evening I was not exactly sober... so have no idea on the details of the petit fours. There was a cool pineapple-y thing with a spoon, some yummy fudge, a piece of marshmallow, a red fruit jelly cube that was possibly strawberry... or raspberry... or cherry... (I have no idea) alongside a much-needed wake you up coffee!
Happy, full and pretty sozzled after a wonderful evening we waddled off home....
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