We’d been planning on paying Arbutus a visit for some time, having been to Will Smith and Anthony Demetre’s other joint ventures, Les Deux Salons and Wild Honey so post exam celebrations provided us with the perfect opportunity to sample what was on offer at the Michelin starred establishment. I stupidly forgot to book, but we were lucky enough to get a small table opposite the bar which was perfect for watching the barman making cocktails and watching people come and go.
I started with a haddock and squid burger – essentially a lightly fried patty of oily, rich haddock and tender squid which was intensely infused with lemongrass and coriander. Dressed with razor clam chunks and a light pea and mint sauce, it was the perfect way to start the meal. Arbutus change their menu every day but variations of the seafood burger are a staple on the menu and it’s pretty obvious why.
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| Roast piece of beef, caramelised onion purée, roast beetroot and THE GRATIN |
Our mains were similarly yummy. I went for the fillet of roast beef which was perfectly cooked and was still slightly drippy when cut open and was served with baby root vegetables. I have to credit Arbutus with making me like beetroot again after years of not ever touching the stuff. It also came with a little cast iron pan of the most sublime potato gratin I have ever eaten. Yi-Bin had the cod, which was apparently superb.
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| Icelandic cod, roast sweet onions, Swiss chard, tomato relish |
We skipped dessert because I’d been craving Snog since the start of exams. I was slightly disappointed to find that they no longer offered pomegranate seeds as a topping and that their new passion fruit flavour was a bit rubbish – too sour and totally lacking in flavour. Instead we had adzuki bean paste and blackberries on green tea frozen yoghurt which was a slightly odd but yummy combination. We also sampled their new passion fruit flavour but it was really sour and ugh. Sticking to the green tea for now.
