Birthday Treats
The Stone Bass, Squid, Octopus Carpaccio at Lyons
Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall
“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” ..
Lucille Ball
I'm not really a fan of birthdays. Well, strictly speaking, mine, anyway.
It can be a different affair though if you get to spend some of it with family & friends.
There was an opportunity to do both. My birthday lasted for three days.
Earlier in the week there was a curry with a pal whom I hadn't seen for a while. The destination, a favourite, was here: https://www.punjab.co.uk/our-history
It was pahalwan amar's mint chicken for me & the benaam macchi tarkari (a nameless Punjabi style tilapia fish curry) for JB. Basmati rice to share plus garlic naans (the best I've ever tasted, light instead of overly doughy & layered with garlic like scales on a fish). A bottle of India Grover's La Reserve, Nandi Hills was the spicy & fruity accompaniment.
Later in the week I booked myself in for a treat here: https://lyons-restaurant.com/menus/food-menu/
Sourdough, Squid Ink Foccacia, (who knew?), Smoked Scallop Roe
Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall
There was Lyon's Bread which included a squid ink focaccia - dark as night - to dip there was a smoked scallop roe. On the side, (because it was my birthday you understand,) 10g of Royal Siberian Caviar. Two of the restaurant's small plates followed. Stone bass carpaccio, octopus, squid, piquillo & mango was one & the other joy was Cornish crab, Isle of Wight tomatoes, plum & wasabi. My first visit & most assuredly not my last. Fantastic service, too. I sent some pictures to Robert. I believe he swooned.
Best friend then took me & her son for a fish feast in Folkestone: https://www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk
Folkestone
Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall
We couldn't have been any nearer to the sea unless we were in it. A sunny day overlooking the coast & the cliffs - I'll never forget the vista or the food. Here's what landed on our table.
Rocksalt Whipped Cods Roe with Seaweed Crackers
Crab Mayonnaise, Garden Salad, Sourdough Crouton
Garlic & Chilli Atlantic Prawns, Aioli
Mussels, Smoked Bacon, Kentish Gala Cider, Fish Cream, Tarragon
Lobster
Lemon Sole with Butter & Capers x2
Puddings (all shared between the three of us)
Kentish Gypsy Tart, Lemon Cream
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Treacle Tart
We feasted well as you can tell.
Rounding off the birthday week there was a Sunday lunch on a beach in Deal: https://www.zetlandarms.co.uk
Three Steak & Mushroom Pies (two with chips, one with new potatoes & veg)
One Prawn Saganaki
Happy birthday to me & what a very, very lucky person I am.
Did I mention I had cake & candles & made a wish?
AMM
