Restaurants in the UK were shut for the first 102 days of the year. As soon as the rules were lifted, Gourmand Gunno was back on his culinary quest, visiting a local pub on day 105. He subsequently went on to make up for lost time by visiting over 50 restaurants both at home and abroad in the remainder of the year. 35 reviews were added to my website, 29 of which were places visited for the first time. Eating out remains a truly joyful experience. Restaurants are not in the business of just selling food and drink, but atmosphere too. We are all social animals and need settings such as these in which to thrive. Below follow some of my dining highlights of the past year -
Best overall restaurant experience – KOL. Outside of Mexico I had never had decent Mexican food until I dined here in May. The whole vibe of the place is authentic and it is always a delight to see something genuinely different hit the London dining scene. Mrs Gunno and I will be enjoying the full tasting menu here later this month.
Most delightful new find – SOLA. It’s a small venue that you could almost miss, on Soho’s Dean Street. If you’re after inventive Californian-style food and an all-American wine list, then this is the place to come. Word of warning, however, SOLA only offers a set menu and it isn’t cheap, but well worth it.
Best high-end experience – The Lecture Room at Sketch. The first time I had visited since it received its third Michelin Star, Sketch’s premium dining experience has to be among the very best in London. It’s all about decadent opulence, but with flawless execution too.
Most fun local restaurant – Parlour. A five-hour lunch here in the garden of this cool modern British venue in Kensal Green was one of the best spent culinary afternoons of the year. Everything the chef served up was superb.
Top curries – BiBi and Pali Hill. I probably eat more curry than average and never get bored with the spectrum of flavours chefs can conjure up. BiBi is the latest venture from the JKS Group (of Gymkhana etc fame) and occupies a fine location in Mayfair. Pali Hill, meanwhile, could be the next Dishoom, with a modern and playful take on the cooking of Mumbai.
Liked so much I visited twice – Noble Rot, Soho. Hots on the heels of the original on Lamb’s Conduit Street, the second Noble Rot (on the site of the former Gay Hussar) is, arguably, even better. I still dream about the paté I ate there. Amazing wine list too.
Honourable mentions – Fallow and Ave Mario. The former offers locally sourced and seasonal British food cooked by a pair of ex-Heston Blumenthal chefs. The latter is a big, bold and mostly brilliant take on Italian food.