One definition of the word “Texture” is “the distinctive character or quality of something” and Texture the restaurant is all about character and quality. Angnar Sverrisson who is originally from Iceland does it all, delivering great tasting, beautifully presented food that has its own distinct personality.
We had our usual debate, should we go for the tasting menu or stick with our original idea of trying the set lunch menu at a fraction of the cost. Fortunately we opted for the tasting menu with matching wines. Indeed as soon as we tasted the amuse-bouche, a selection of different textured “crisps” artfully arranged on a piece of slate with a dip and the Pea and Mint iced tea, we knew we had made the right choice. With every course and every glass of wine, we echoed that sentiment. The appetizer was asparagus with parmesan snow and hazel nuts. This was followed by a sublime pigeon dish with sweetcorn and bacon popcorn. The next two courses were just as good, they consisted of Icelandic cod with Chorizo and a very refined version of steak and chips. Then came the entertainment, a rather topical looking pre dessert, a green apple concoction set in a bowl of dry ice, that spilled out on to the table like something from a volcano! We finished with a Mango and Pineapple dessert and a selection of petit fours that included a crispy variation of a traditional french magdalene which was surprisingly good.
So far we have just mentioned the food, but the wines were equally special. We particularly enjoyed the Californian Pinot Noir and the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine selections were perfect matches for every course, and very reasonable at £45 for a flight of 5 glasses.
Definitely looking forward to coming back here – a rare treat.
Marks out of 10