Wildheath
At the end of June, on a Friday when I had the day off from work, I visited this restaurant for lunch. They have completely embraced the paperless trend, with today's menu accessible through a QR code scan, and the drink menu on a tablet. It's clear that they are focused on sustainability. For lunch, I opted for the short course with one main dish. The meal started with two appetizers. First, a cute square-shaped chickpea paste panis with mayonnaise and thyme on top. It resembled a crispy version of fried tofu, with a light and enjoyable texture. I could have eaten this all day. The second appetizer was a gazpacho made with tomatoes and strawberries. It was coated in a non-sweet chocolate shell and had a soup-like filling, perfect for a single bite. The two starters were followed by two more dishes. The first was a dish featuring a type of cauliflower called califlore. The dish included pureed cauliflower, sautéed until browned, marinated bonito sashimi, and basil. The dry texture of the sautéed cauliflower paired with the moist bonito was delightful. The bread served was a simple one made with whole wheat flour from Hokkaido. The next dish was marinated and smoked carrots, roasted to resemble a carrot sausage. The carrots were presented in various forms, including powder, puree, and even the leaves, showcasing the vegetable's versatility. A bread crust-inspired shortbread with orange confiture ice cream was served as a palate cleanser before the main course. The main course featured a fish dish, with pan-fried ainame served with courgettes and tomato fondant, accompanied by a courgette sauce. The fish and vegetable harmony was smooth and delicate, offering a different experience from the appetizers. For dessert, there was a kumquat and Campari-soaked treat with sorbet and caramelized almonds. The jelly made with kumquat and Campari on top provided a sophisticated balance of bitterness, acidity, and crunchiness, ensuring a dynamic and enjoyable flavor. The coffee was served with canelé as a small treat, which had a crispy exterior and a moist interior. The sound of the crispy canelé was quite satisfying. Despite being the only other guests besides one other party at the same time, the pace of the meal was quite fast. While they offered non-alcoholic pairing options, I might not have been able to keep up with them. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the strength of the vegetables and the diverse flavors brought out in the course. I look forward to returning multiple times to explore more. Considering the elaborate content of this lunch course, the price was quite reasonable. Thank you for the wonderful meal!