A La Carte menu, what is this stuff?

[Steven W]

As a surprise for the wife I've booked into a swanky hotel on Saturday night. I've asked them to send the restaurant menu over and I just don't know what to have:

The menu doesn't break any of these up, are any of these dishes starters? What does venison taste like? What's a chump of lamb? Is rabbit nice - fatty?

I'm so uncultured, I've got half a mind to head down to the local harvester instead as I know what everything tastes like, but I think I will risk trying something from the menu.

I don't like anything fishy and I know it depends on taste, but what would you cultured swines recommend?

Diver Scallops
Cauliflower, Raisins & Sherry

Roast Quail
Boudin of the Leg, Fried Egg, Apple Jus

Confit Salmon
Tomato & Anchovy Pressing, Braised Fennel, Olive Tapenade

Tronchon of Foie Gras
Pain D’Epice, Kumquat & Gran Marnier Compôte

Isle of Skye Langoustines
Smoked Belly Pork, Celeriac Mousse, Shellfish Cappuccino

Line Caught Sea Bass
Thyme Creamed Potatoes, Sweet & Sour Onions, Hazelnut Foam

Chump of Marches Lamb
Chervil Tuber Puree, Lamb Cassoulet, Caramelised Sweetbread,
Capers & Mint

Day Boat Turbot
Oxtail Ravioli, Braised Lettuce & Crones, Sauce Lie Du Vin

Farced Saddle of Rabbit
Lambs Tongue, Game Chips, Sweet Carrots & Parsley,


Loin of Venison
Marjoram Gnocchi, Butternut Squash, Red Cabbage, Blackberries & Liquorice


Hot Chocolate Fondant
Basil Ice Cream, Lemon Curd

Saffron Poached Pear
Caramel Crème Brulée, Rosewater Sorbet

Rum Roast Banana
Coffee Jelly, Pistachio Ice Cream

Parsnip Parfait
Honey & Cardamom Cream, Chocolate Biscotti

Shropshire Blue & Port Cannelloni
Walnut & Grape Salad, Toasted Fruit Bread


A Selection of Artisan Cheese
Fig & Almond Cake, Quince Jelly, Homemade Biscuits,
Warm Fruit & Nut Bread

[Blitzen]

I kno w'Jus' is some kind of sauce or gravy.

I had to ask about these aswell as our christmas do is at some poncy restaurant.

TBH...........i would settle for a few beers but the women want something a bit more upmarket.

I just HOPE that whatever it is isnt something miniscule on a really big white plate.

Tronchon of Foie Gras
Pain D’Epice, Kumquat & Gran Marnier Compôte

WTF is this ????????????????

[Stewart]

I love swanky menus. Actually I love the word swanky. Its such an English word, like romp or nosh.

Farced saddle of lamb... 'excuse me waiter, this saddle of lamb is clearly farced'

Marjoram Gnocchi... what the bleep is that?

[Steven W]

Originally Posted by Blitzen

I kno w'Jus' is some kind of sauce or gravy.

I had to ask about these aswell as our christmas do is at some poncy restaurant.

TBH...........i would settle for a few beers but the women want something a bit more upmarket.

I just HOPE that whatever it is isnt something miniscule on a really big white plate.



WTF is this ????????????????

I'll have a few packets of crisps in the suitcase, should it all go wrong.

[nichomach]

OK, venison is GORGEOUS; rich, red, gamey meat.

Scallops, salmon, sea bass, turbot fall foul of your no fish rule (as do langoustines - sort of mini-lobsters). I'd go for the foie gras, but then I like liver paté; YMMV. The compote'll basically be a bit like a kumquat and Grand Marnier chutney, which ought to be nice. Up to and including the foie gras that all looks like starters to me. The lamb looks nice as well, but as I say, I love venison - "Bambi! You've seen the film - now EAT THE CAST!".

That saffron poached pear dessert sounds fantastic, BTW.

[directhex]

how often are you gonna have food like this? go for something you'll likely never taste again, and enjoy the experience. venison and rabbit are both great meats - venison moreso

[directhex]

oh, and since you asked,

[menthel]

If there is one thing rabbit is not it is fatty. Nice and tasty though.

And treat yourself to some foie gras. Always tasty, especially with a nice glass of sauternes. That will cut through the richness nicely!

[Stewart]

Originally Posted by directhex

oh, and since you asked,

ZOMG, you get heroin from a sheeps neck?

[burble]

Originally Posted by Stewart

ZOMG, you get heroin from a sheeps neck?

That's skag, not scrag.

[Steven W]

Originally Posted by burble

That's skag, not scrag.

The venison is looking very tempting at the moment. Don't fancy a sheep's arse.

[Blitzen]

Originally Posted by Steven W

The venison is looking very tempting at the moment. Don't fancy a sheep's arse.

Venison is nice.
We have venison for xmas lunch as turkey is not nice ever.

Venison is however has a very rich, strong taste. (i love venison sausages aswell)

[Stewart]

Originally Posted by burble

That's skag, not scrag.

No flies on you is there, sunshine?

[burble]

Originally Posted by Stewart

No flies on you is there, sunshine?

Not when I'd sat and watched Trainspotting a couple of days ago, sonny jim.

[Flibb]

Venison is a great meat, no fat and full of flavour. If you do facny eating Bambi keep your eyes open at farmers markets, the one around here is a lot cheaper than the supermaket.

Best advert I have seen for rabbit was outside a butchers
You have read the book
You have seen the film
Now eat the cast

Obviously a reference to watership down.

[pollaxe]

Venison is beautiful. Rabbit's much like chicken though it tends to be a little drier in texture and it's not fatty (believe it or not you can starve to death if you exist solely on a diet of rabbit and the lack of fat is believed to be at least a constituent factor - but I don't think you're under much risk of that!)

Foie gras is a cruel and unusual form of food and I wouldn't touch it.