Friday 13 January 2017

Ottolenghi Spitalfields

Ottolenghi Spitalfields
Since the birth of Noah, going out for meals as a couple have been a scarcity. But as Noah is getting older it is becoming far easier to sit down and enjoy a meal with the little man in tow. 

As a foodie I have really missed eating out and as a consequence have created quite a long list of restaurants that I want to try. Well I have been dreaming of food offerings for well over a year. 

Last month the restaurant abstinence was broken with a visit to Ottolenghi in Spitafields. Hidden down a side street away from the hustle and bustle of the thriving market, Ottolenghi's window of cakes is positioned beautifully to entice you in. 
Ottolenghi Spitalfields 
The menu whilst concise offers creative food utilising exciting ingredients. Salads here take centre stage, now before you turn your nose up the salads here are wonderfully fresh, using imaginative ingredients and offer an interesting change to the usually stodgy wintry accompaniments that come with some meals as an afterthought. 

I was a little bit disappointed that starters don't exist here but the mains more than made up for this. Here you have the choice of hot mains which come with two side salads (£21.75). Cold mains from the counter with two salad accompaniments (£15.70) or a selection of three or four salads on their own (£12.90/£15.50).

The menu offered quite a few mains that I would have happily tried. I settle in the end on the cod cakes in mint and tomato sauce. 
Ottolenghi Spitalfields

I'm pleased to say that the fish cakes maintained their crispy outer crust with wonderful moist flakes of cod despite being in a tomato sauce. The sauce whilst nice had no taste of mint and was reminiscent of tomato passata; but the fish cakes had more than enough flavour that this didn't really matter. 

To go with my main I chose toasted Orzo pasta, red onion, sundried tomato with goats cheese and hazelnut salad. 
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
I really love Orzo pasta and the addition of soft gooey goats cheese and crunchy hazelnuts was the perfect addition.

My second salad was green beans, mangetout, pickled cucumbers, mustard seeds, chilli and peanuts. Whilst this was nice it wasn't an amazing salad. 

Friends settle on the pan fried grey mullet with pickled beetroot and sunflower seed salsa.  
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
I am reliably informed that the mullet was cooked perfectly and the addition of the beetroot really added to the dish. The only complaint was that the portion size was just not sufficient as a main. 

I would have to agree that at a £21.75 price tag this main was overpriced with the serving more reminiscent of a starter. 

The remaining member of the table opts for sun-dried tomato and ricotta croquettes with basil and lime yoghurt. 
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
In comparison to the mullet the croquettes were huge in size. I am told these are delicious.
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
The two salads of choice to accompany the croquettes char-grilled broccoli with chilli and garlic. Hummus, with zhoug, crispy chickpeas and roasted peppers. 

The hummus with the pomegranate is an absolute delight an explosion of flavours. If your interested in making some Ottolenghi salads yourself at home have a look at their website for some divine inspiration. 
  
Our mains went perfectly with a cold crisp bottle of Barbera Bianca, Castello di Cigognola (£35).
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
I really enjoy Italian wine and this bottle was wonderfully fruity perfect with the fish and goats cheese in the salad.

The star of the show however has to be the desserts. I will be dreaming about these for quite a while. 

I instantly knew what I wanted passion fruit meringue .  
Ottolenghi
This was the perfect combination of sweet from the meringue, pastry, mixed with the tartness of the passion fruit. Definitely one of the nicest dessert I have had in a while. 

The wonderful thing of dining with friends is you get to sample all the desserts. Next up was carrot and Walnut cake with cream cheese icing (£5.50). 
Ottolenghi
The cake was lovely and moist but best of all was the quantity of cream cheese icing. No scrimping here. 

Next up was Vanilla Financier with plum, mixed berries and poached pear (£5.50). 
Ottolenghi
The sponge was deliciously moist and the tartness of berries against the poached pear yummy.

Last in our dessert offerings was apple and sultana galette (£5.50).
Ottolenghi Spitalfields
Now whilst I wouldn't have picked this myself I am reliably informed it was delicious. 

So there you have it, Ottolenghi offers a relaxed family friendly restaurant, with good food and service if you love your salads and smaller portions.  

The temperature in London has certainly dropped over the last couple of weeks so salads are off the menu for now. Any other good foodie suggestions to add to my ever growing list?


 photo foodieforce_32.jpg

12 comments:

  1. Ottolenghi looks so delicious, I've wanted to go there for so long!! Shame about the starters, you would have thought you could just have the salads brought out first as an appetiser? And that portion size does look rather weeny for the price! Overall though, would definitely give it a go, hello delicious food!! Glad Noah is becoming more of a seasoned diner too :p xxx
    Lucy @ La Lingua | Life, Travel, Italy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is why you are doing a Phd and I am not, I probably could have asked them to do just that and they would have let me. If is a lovely restaurant and definitely worth a visit for a coffee and cake or for lunch Lucy x

      Delete
  2. It's looks so good! Glad Noah is at the stage you can eat out now. I'd be sad about the starters as I prefer them to a dessert!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He still has his moments but yes it is lovely to be able to get out. I much prefer a dessert to a starter but then again I rarely choose between the two opting for both Lucy x

      Delete
  3. This all sounds so delicious! So pleased you can all go out to eat as a family. I hope you all have had a fab start to 2017! x

    Sick Chick Chic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you had a nice Christmas and wishing you a great 2017 Lucy x

      Delete
  4. I would definitely swap starters for a window full of cakes! Starters just take up precious stomach space in my world ;) x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh Paul and I have been here, it can get really busy. Love the look of that passionfruit meringue. I recommend Blanchette and Sardine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The passion fruit merengue was yummy. Thank you for the additional suggestions I will add them to the list Lucy x

      Delete
  6. Those cakes look amazing! My mouth is watering at the thought of those croquettes too, I love anything with sun-dried tomatoes in :) xx

    Toasty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cakes were divine and I'm with you on how wonderful sundried tomatos are Lucy x

      Delete