Medlar

Crafting Valentine’s Memories, One Bite at a Time

As someone deeply familiar with the world of dining experience, I pride myself on my ability to discover exceptional restaurants. Yet, on this Valentine’s Day celebration, my partner surprised me with a reservation at Medlar, nestled in Chelsea.

Unlike the bustling hotspots typical of West London, Medlar exudes an understated charm that caught my attention immediately.

From the thoughtfully curated menu to the elegant ambiance, every aspect reflects the restaurant’s steadfast dedication to culinary excellence.

Ambiance:
This culinary gem beckons those with a taste for refinement, welcoming discerning diners into its intimate yet effortlessly stylish ambiance. The subtle lighting set the mood, and to my surprise, I discovered a charming blue room adorned with cherry blossoms. Dining amidst such floral beauty felt surreal, like stepping into a dream.

Service:
The service experience was pivotal, seamlessly enhancing the culinary voyage with a blend of attentiveness, expertise, and sincere hospitality.

From the moment I sat down, their attention to detail was evident. Providing ice cubes and lemon slices with water without prompting demonstrated their commitment to anticipating and meeting guests’ needs.

Drinks:
Medlar presents a meticulously crafted assortment of wines, cocktails, and beverages to perfectly accompany its culinary offerings. Delve into a wine list brimming with an array of choices, ranging from esteemed selections hailing from renowned wine regions to hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

Price: £££
This establishment is where you’ll gladly invest in what you relish.

What I Ordered:

Let’s dive into the culinary delights. Oh, what a treat it was! Chef Joe Mercer Nairne and his team have curated a menu that exalted the finest seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, skillfully transforming them into dishes that captivate the palate and spark the imagination.

I’m thrilled to be able to describe these intricately named dishes once again – a privilege typically reserved for exceptional French establishments like this one.

Aged Comte gougeres

Pastry perfection, featuring a delicate yet airy texture. Its exterior offered a gentle crispness, leading to a soft, pillowy interior that practically melted with aged Comté cheese.

Foie gras and Armagnac soaked prune terrine with rabbit rillettes, crisp chicken skin and toasted brioche

The terrine, a true work of artistry, showcased a velvety-smooth texture. The harmony between the foie gras and prune was impeccably balanced.

Served alongside was beautifully toasted brioche, offering a golden bed to elevate this culinary masterpiece. Its luxurious buttery richness provided the perfect backdrop for the intricate flavors of the terrine and rillettes.

Parsley root velouté with slow cooked Ox cheek, ras el hanout and aged Comté gougères

The ox cheek exemplified the mastery of slow cooking, offering a texture that melted effortlessly in the mouth, surpassing all expectations. Yet, what truly impressed me was the velouté, which managed to steal the spotlight despite the robust presence of the ox cheek – no small feat for a soup.

With each spoonful, I found myself whisked away into a realm of culinary ecstasy. The delicate flavors of parsley root intermingled with subtle notes of earthiness and sweetness, crafting a sensation that was simultaneously comforting and refined.

*Rump of Belted Galloway with café de paris snails, stuffed portobello, shallot purée and béarnaise

The perfectly cooked rump of Belted Galloway elicited a sensory delight. Cooked to tender perfection, the rump exuded a depth of flavor that could only stem from meticulous sourcing and skilled preparation. Even Gordon Ramsay wouldn’t dream of sending back to the kitchen.

To enhance the dish, a generous drizzle of Béarnaise sauce added a luxurious richness and a hint of tang, bringing all the flavors together in perfect harmony. It was a delightful touch, akin to discovering the most charming polka dot – making even Yayoi Kusama’s dots feel a tad underdressed.

Chargrilled monkfish with a ginger, shallot, shitake and soy dressing, bok choi, salsify, shiso and tiger prawn

This dish presented a captivating fusion of culinary traditions, seamlessly intertwining the delicate essence of monkfish with the bold and aromatic spices of the East.

What truly distinguished this dish was its dressing. Luxuriously rich and fragrant, with subtle hints of sweetness and umami, the sauce elevated the monkfish, imparting layers of flavor and an irresistible aroma that lingered on the palate.

*Triple cooked chips and Béarnaise

I’ll forever hold these chips in high regard (now I’m regretting not capturing their glory on my phone – I suppose I’ll have to resort to old-fashioned storytelling next time we catch up), setting a new standard for any future chip experiences.

The chips boasted a flawless exterior, perfectly crispy, with a heavenly fluffy interior that practically melted in your mouth – a true testament to the kitchen team’s expertise and precision.

Accompanying the chips was, once again, a generous serving of Béarnaise sauce, serving as the ideal dipping partner for this indulgent delight. Velvety-smooth and bursting with the harmonious flavors of tarragon, shallots, and butter.

Kudos to Medlar for effortlessly elevating even the fast food of the fast food dish to sophisticated level.

Warm chocolate mousse and salted caramel tartlet with milk ice cream and candied pecans

With the first forkful, the rich chocolate mousse revealed its decadent cocoa flavor, nestled within the delicate, thin tartlet shell.

But the indulgence didn’t end there. A generous scoop of milk ice cream imparted a creamy richness and a refreshing coolness to the dessert, harmonizing beautifully with the warm chocolate mousse and caramel tartlet.

And not overlook the candied pecans, offering a delightful crunch and robust nuttiness to every bite, perfectly rounding out the flavor profile and adding an extra layer of indulgence to the dish.

Buttermilk panna cotta with forced English rhubarb, almond nougatine, sorrel and pistachio cakes

The rhubarb introduced a refreshing tartness that beautifully contrasted the richness of the panna cotta, resulting in a delightful interplay of sweet and sour flavors, harmonizing flawlessly with the creamy texture of the panna cotta.

However, it was the pistachio cakes that truly took this dessert to another level, boasting a delicate crumb and a rich nuttiness that added depth to the flavor profile, lending a touch of elegance to the dish.

Blood orange sorbet with blood orange crisps and freshly baked madeleines

The sorbet, served as a revitalizing palate cleanser, awakening the senses with its tangy sweetness and leaving a refreshing sensation. Accompanied by delicate blood orange crisps, which imparted a satisfying crunch and an explosion of citrus flavor, the sorbet was perfectly complemented by their cool creaminess.

Yet, the main was undoubtedly the freshly baked madeleines. These golden-brown, served warm from the oven, provided the ideal pairing for the sorbet and crisps, infusing the dish with a hint of indulgence and evoking a sense of nostalgia.

Conclusion:

Medlar Restaurant is a true treasure trove, offering a dining experience that exceeds all expectations. From the flawless cuisine to the refined atmosphere and attentive service, it embodies the timeless charm of French gastronomy within the vibrant heart of London.

A meal at Medlar transcends mere dining; it’s an unforgettable sensory voyage that lingers in the memory, beckoning diners to return time and again.

Sample menu is available: https://www.medlarrestaurant.co.uk/food

Tips from Hanako:

• Please ensure you’re dressed to impress for this occasion.
• Keep in mind, it’s a bit of a trek from any tube station, so plan your route in advance or just book an Uber
• Come prepared to indulge, as the portions, including the desserts, are generously sized. Make sure to leave ample room in your stomach for the culinary delights that await!