Last week the fabulous Mr L. told me he was taking me to Northcote for our 1st Anniversary! Hurrah!
Working at the Tourist Board we obviously work closely with the guys at Northcote on various projects and many a time wish we were eligible to enter the competitions they generously donate meals or nights for (as our disposable incomes don't stretch this far).
Many of you might not be aware of Northcote or it's superb Michelin star reputation - but surely you have heard of Nigel Haworth - who cooked a divine Lancashire Hotpot for the troops returning from Afganistan in the final of the 2009 Great British Menu. Nigel is joint owner of Northcote with Craig Bancroft (the wine man).
So my excitement built up to Friday night as I perused the online menus to whet my appetite. I had decided on Langoustine and Roebuck before we set off; but on arrival found out that these two dishes were not on the menu for the day so I had to start the whole dish choosing process again (and it took me a while!)
The whole atmosphere of Northcote in the evening is very special. Upmarket but not stuffy, I mellowed in with a Mojhito (with mint from the Northcote Garden obviously!) and decided on the Tarleton Pigeon for starters and the New Season Grouse for main course (keeping one eye on the Blackberry 'Textures' for dessert). Mr L is very much a pie & chips man (being from Wigan) and doesn't like anything fancy or unrecognisable but was really looking forward to his House Dried Rare Breed Beef then Puff Pastry Loin of Lonk Lamb.
We demolished our appetizers rapidly - being overly fascinated with 'the pea thing' - then made it to the dining room. I have to say that I think the dining room had the best atmosphere I've ever come across and I did repeat myself alot about the quality of the lighting.........
anyway... without boring you and taking you through every detail of the amazing meal that we had...(and risking bad comments on my attempt to do an AA Gill) IT WAS FABULOUS. Big thanks to Mr L. for making it a superb evening.
The picture is the remains of our little 'treats' after the meal; right before I pinched the second Honeycomb in Chocolate. I just about managed to remember to take a picture! Let's face it though, it's probably not the done thing to get snap happy over your Michelin Star dinner...
Save up - book a table - go dine.
In fact if you can - book a room too and do the Gourmet Overnight
Sarah Lundy
Oh the envy! Sounds like you had an amazing first anniversary. Like Sally said, I will definitely be working on being treated to a special meal. Wonder what the winter menu is like????
Posted by: Kate Roberts | 26 August 2009 at 11:45 AM
Very, very jealous! I shall have to drop very big hints to my own Mr L!
Posted by: Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd | 26 August 2009 at 08:54 AM
My mouth is watering, reading this before lunchtime wasn't such a good idea! I'd love to go for a meal at Northcote, Nigel was great on the Great British Menu.
Posted by: SwedishTwit | 25 August 2009 at 02:32 PM