So many reviews of Launceston Place ask the same question. Why does it not have a Michelin Star?. It is a mystery, as Launceston Place has it all. An attractive location, first rate service and some rather impressive cooking.
This was our second visit, the first time was 2 years ago when we indulged in the tasting menu. This time we were determined to stick to the set lunch.
I could not help but compare the set lunch here with last months set lunch at the Michelin starred William Drabble. At William Drabble’s I felt that the set lunch had been well under par (inferior cooking and ingredients). It did nothing to showcase that restaurant. In stark contrast Launceston Place pulled out all the stops. Providing lots of extras – the home made crisps to start, a small loaf of bread with pickled herring, a lemon posset pre dessert and little lemon sponges at the end of the meal. The only negative here was that it was hard not to make a mess when eating the bread.
Then there was the meal itself. We started with a vibrant green watercress soup with smoked eel and poached quail eggs and a warm heirloom tomato salad with home made ewes curd. However it was the main courses that stood out. I had the Mackerel which was quite lovely, both in respect of presentation and taste. My companion had the duck, which he enjoyed so much more than the duck dish he had at Heston Blumentals Dinner earlier this year. To go with these dishes we had a side order of Jersey Royal New Potatoes, they were smothered in butter, perfectly cooked with that wonderful earthy taste that epitomises Jersey Royals – just fabulous.
For dessert we both had the Treacle Tart with creme fraiche ice cream, very nice – especially when accompanied by a generous glass of PX. We were so pre occupied talking with the Sommelier about the history and variety of PX sherries that we forgot to photograph the tart, which was quite pretty before we demolished it.
Marks out of 10
Food 7.5
Service 7.3
Ambience 7.1
UPDATE: April 2012 – There is now a new head chef at Launceston Place – see Press Release
UPDATE : September 2012, Lauceston Place has finally been awarded a Michelin Star.
UPDATE: October 2016, Lauceston Place no longer has a Michelin Star.