Andrew Edmunds 46 Lexington Street, Soho London W1F 0LW 0207 437 5708
Background: I had been in a little bit of a food rut so eating out at someone else's restaurant selection, especially a foodie like Rob, was very welcome. Andrew Edmunds is located on a small street tucked in the middle of Soho across the street from the ever brimming Fernandez & Wells. Upon arrival, I was early (as usual), my boyfriend was also early (unheard of) and one our fellow diners was already seated. This was a relief as there was absolutely no where to wait for our table if need be. We were shown to a table down a precarious staircase with no railing to a dimly lit, basement-like room (romantic to some) where we would spend the next two hours and as Frances so aptly noted as she walked, wow looks like it's a third date place.
Dinner: The decor is simple, if not rustic with paper table cloths, candles in old wine bottles and picnic style silverware, the menu hand-written daily. Unsure as to how to break it to my dinner colleagues that I intended to photograph our entire meal or that a selection of dishes would be preferable to get a real feel for the place, I kept quiet only to realise later that my embarrassment caused me to miss pictures of the starters, the highlight of the meal AND that three of us had ordered the same dish. Huge faux-pas I know, but I am learning. Nonetheless, we had the Seared Herb Tuna with Edamame Beans, Pickled Ginger and Wasabi Mayonnaise, the Smoked Eel with Beetroot Salad and Crème Fraîche and the Dressed Crab. All of the starters were a hit, the crab, traditional and well executed, the tuna was delicious with extremely well balanced flavours, and the smoked eel is always a favourite. For our mains, we had THREE orders of the Wild Halibut Fillet with Spinach and Wild Garlic Leaves, Buttered Potatoes and Tartar Sauce (pictured above) and I had the Confit of Duck Leg with Roast Rattle Potatoes, Blood Orange, Pomegranate, Beetroot and Pecan Salad (below).
While the halibut was done simply yet elegantly leaving three completely empty plates, the duck was less simple. I substituted the potatoes for a green vegetable, sprouting broccoli, so perhaps my fault, but the accompanying salad neither complemented nor integrated with the duck leg which was slightly too salty. All in all, it may have been slightly pricey for whats on offer and I am still regretting the three halibuts, but I have learned my lesson. Dessert on the other hand, Brown Bread Ice Cream, almost warranted a second order.
Silverware: Picnic style roll-up with paper napkin and boarding school canteen flatware.
Silverspoons: 6/10
Damage: £40/ person
