Ok, remember that phone call on to the mainland that we made on the Dream? Well, it as to our new favourite restaurant on property...
Yes, we were off to Victoria and Albert's again, however there was no availability in the main room so this time we were in the Queen Victoria room!
(As an aside, once we got home we worked out that we had spend over a third of our total budget this trip just on Victoria and Albert's but we both agree that it was totally worth it.
)
The room is amazingly pretty, but Stacey said she preferred the main room as she felt there was more atmosphere. Though I would say that was mainly because at the time we were the only ones in the room.
Now onto the meal!
As always, we started with an Amuse-Bouche. This time the four items were:
Root Spinach Crisp
Mango & Avocado Roll
Pickled Beet and Southern Bell
Corn an Soy Bean Salad
As every time before, each bite size item was exquisite! My favourite was the Pickled Beet, it was, to use a bristonian expression, lush!
Next was Tomato Bouquet with Miniature Greens and 100 year old Balsamic. Well, I thought the 8 year old Balsamic was good but this stuff was amazing! I've got to find out where I can get this stuff!
Then was the Hot Smoked Cauliflower with Fuji Apple and Curry Dressing.
The name just doesn't do it justice. what was brought to us was a what looked like a bell jar filled with smoke in a glass, then the glass was removed with a billow of smoke to reveal the meal. The smokyness was infused through the whole dish, it had to be one of the best dishes I'd ever tasted.
The next dish was Artichokes and Bean Radishes with Sunchoke Purée.
The flavours of this were subtle but nothing seemed to overpower the other. It was delicious.
Next we were brought this tiny mouthful of Squash Tortellini. It was really nice but we were surprised at how tiny it was.
Only for the central cover to be removed to reveal a Delicata Squash Soup underneath.
Again probably the best squash soup I've ever had.
This was a forest mushroom tart with my new favourite ingredient, white Truffles.
This little tart was scrumptious, and the truffle was earthy and delicious!
This had to be the highlight of the meal, Potato Gnocchi with Peas and Carrots & Miniature Vegetables.
As always the description didn't do the dish justice. The 3 Gnocchi in the flavoured mash was amazing, the small bowl of lentils were perfectly cooked and seasoned, each of the veggies had their own sauce, mash, or foam. For me it's the best dish I'd had the whole trip.
Then it was onto the cheese platter. Each with an accompanying item to complement them. I especially loved the Stilton. My appreciation of blue cheese has definitely increased over this vacation.
Then it was on to the first desert, yes, I said the first desert!
Stacey had a green Apple Baba with Sour Cream Ice Cream. See that apple there, it's actually a soft pudding! Stacey said it was amazing though the spun sugar was too sweet for her.
I had a no added sugar Apple Cobbler. It was amazing
Stacey then had a Mocha scented Tanzanie Chocolate Mousse Timbale and Chocolate Cocktail. She absolutely loved it.
I had a Mixed Berry Gateau. It was ultra soft and creamy, both sharp and sweet (though fake sweet I assume!
), delish!
And that was the end of the meal. Our newest 'best meal we'd ever had,'
Befer we left though we had the honour of meeting Chef Scott. The man who designed our meal.
We would have looked happier but we were so full that we were ready to roll out of there! But we had to finish every mouthful, it was so delicious!
Then it was back to the room to sleep off an amazing meal.