Launceston Place

Launceston Place was the first private dining restaurant we had been to as part of our dining club, and about five years on, I think most of us would still rank it as our favourite restaurants, both in terms of the food and the experience we had.

The private dining room was called the Chefs' Office. It was a tasting menu, that was designed by the chef Tristan Welch and included:

- Canapés Of Devilled Potato Crisps
- Rustic Bread, Homemade English Butter, Cured Herring
- West Coast Scallop Roasted With Aromatic Herbs From The Coast Line
- Breast of Pheasant, Home Cured Bacon
- Baked Lemon Sole, Coastline Vegetables
- Truffled Duck Egg on Toast- Celery Sorbet, Walnuts And Apples
- Shoulder of Salt Baked Lamb, Salt Baked Potatoes
- Pre Dessert
- An Assiette Of Launceston Place Deserts

Below are photos of some of the courses. (Slightly different from those above.)

I loved the attention to detail with the crisps-they had been 'hole-punched,' and tied with a lovely ribbon. A wonderful touch! 

 

The hot crunchy bread, with the rich soft butter and salty herrings worked brilliantly together. I think we all over-indulged with the bread, but it was worth it.

 

 

 

 

The truffle and egg on toast is one of the best courses I have ever had. A rich egg, with the earthy truffles really complemented each other well. It was light and rich, which is a difficult combination to achieve.

 

This is what you call a dessert platter!  It is a shame I had to share it with everyone else! The tarte tatin and chocolate soufflé were my favourites. The ladies were not too keen on the whisky cream that came with the soufflé, it tasted very earthy. However, that did not deter us, and the whole slate was wiped clean!

 

 

 

 

Some chocolate favours to take home- perfect.


Quality & Presentation of  the Food

The quality of the food was excellent. Lovely flavours, which were carefully balanced. After eight courses we were certainly full.

The presentation is superb, wonderful attention to detail.

Service & Ambience

The service was excellent and what you would hope for from a private dining experience.

The chef's table was wonderful, great ambience in the room. It did not feel like we were in a restaurant, rather someone's house. I loved the way that after each course was cooked the chef would come out of the kitchen and explain to us how he cooked it.  At the end of the meal we were given a tour of the kitchen.

Value for Money

For the tasting menu and two glasses of wine the bill came to around £100 each.  I felt that the meal was worth every penny, it was an amazing culinary experience. I would definitely go back.

 

Website: Launceston Place

Overall Rating: