After several weeks of mourning the end of my youthful twenties I embarked on a week of 30th birthday celebrations...
...The week began with My wonderful husband whisking me off to the Rockwell Hotel in Kensington, London. The hotel was a delightful, contemporary and stylish place. Our room had a mezzanine with the living area downstairs and the sleeping area upstairs. Much as it was tempting to spend the evening indulging in room service we instead headed off out for the main part of my treat - dinner at Morgan M.
On approaching the restaurant you don't expect a great deal as it is a small, unassuming building tucked away on a quiet street. However, when you walk in you are greeted with a warm and professional welcome by one of the many French waiting staff. We started the evening with a glass of champagne whilst waiting for the first course of our tasting menu extravaganza. We had both ordered the six course vegetarian tasting menu with different wines to accompany each course.
First course was a cream of girelle mushroom sauce with a spinach and pumpkin beignet accompanied by an aromatic white rather like a riesling. Second course was a trio of thin biscuits wedged between: artichoke foam, chestnut sorbet and mushroom caviar, accompanied by a light, tropical vouvray. Third course was tarbais beans and hazelnuts in a turnip puree accompanied by a rich, buttery white wine. Fourth course was roasted quince on a cinnamon biscuit and sweet potato puree, surrounded by a rich buerre blanc sauce, accompanied by a delightful red wine. Fifth course was an exquisite light vanilla rice pudding topped with passionfruit sorbet. Sixth course was a choice of two (of course Mark had one and I had the other): fig tart with lemon and thyme ice cream or pineapple souffle, both accompanied by a dessert wine. The feast ended with rich coffee and a tray of petits fours.
Wow, what can I say? This was a tasting experience to rival all others. The ambience of the restaurant was perfect, the food interesting and creative, the wines of superb quality, the service relaxed but efficient and most importantly the owner and chef (Morgan) passionate about what he does. We know this because he came and visited our table to discuss our views on his food. The only part of this experience that bothered me was that this place does not have a michelin star - it's a travesty!
Anyway, on with the rest of the week...
...My birthday (as always) fell on a dull midweek day: a Wednesday. However, Mark made it as special as possible by cooking me a divine roast dinner with Heston Blumenthal-style roast potatoes. I was also inundated with a wealth of cards and presents. The girls at work had also made my day really special by giving me lots of presents. I'm a very lucky girl.
On the Thursday I went off to the Wine Bar for tapas with friends. Again, I was spoilt with presents and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It doesn't end there...
...On Saturday Mark and I head of to Melksham to see my family. We went to my favourite local Indian restaurant - the Refa Tandooori (they do the best veg vindaloo) and had a great evening of curry, champagne and more presents!
All in all I reckon turning thirty isn't all that bad. I might even have another thirtieth next year!
