I suppose you may also be interested in the fact Texture just retained its Michelin star, that it has 110 different champagnes on offer on the wine list and that it is a rather swanky, “special occasion” sort of place. The restaurant feels quite formal which is slightly at odds with the playful nature of the food on offer. It is attached to a (horrors) Best Western hotel after all and has the high ceilings, plush finishes and air of anonymity which seems to go hand in hand with being a hotel restaurant.
However, the menu does not play it safe at all. The food on offer is quirky and inventive with influences from chef Agnar Sverrisson’s Icelandic background in there along with a focus on British and seasonal ingredients.
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| The Anjou quail- spot the bacon popcorn in there |
The bacon popcorn featured again in a starter of delicately deboned Anjou quail (£16) which was served with the popcorn alongside chargrilled sweetcorn, shallots and a drizzling of red wine essence. Native lobster (£22.50) was sweet, fresh and enlivened with hints of ginger and lemon.
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| Pork Belly |
At times the food hit every note perfectly, Welsh lamb (£31.50) was pink and tender and teamed with some “very Noma” wild Icelandic herbs. Even more compelling was the suckling pig (£29.50) comprising tender slow cooked cheek alongside a fatty, crisp topped belly with peach for sweetness and cabbage to mop up the juices.
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| Almond cake |
However, occasionally there was an overabundance of ideas with one dessert featuring a uniquely unpleasant combination of white chocolate mousse, dill and cucumber in one concoction. A better option was the almond cake which came served in its own tiny tagine and was dotted with fresh cherries. We also loved the sweet but sophisticated suggested dessert wine of Noble One 1007 Botrytis Semillon from De Bortoli in Australia (£15.50 a glass).
Despite the occasional misfires Sverrisson delivers accomplished cooking finding just the right balance between texture and taste. As for the bacon popcorn… it had me at hello.
Essentials
Details: Texture, 34 Portman Street, Marylebone, W1H 7BY (Ph 020 7224 0028) Tube: Marble Arch
Damage: Budget Breaking
8/10
October 10, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I’d love to go for lunch just to try the place…perhaps that’s less budget breaking?
October 10, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Great information! Texture is very useful.
October 10, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Quite a daring and different take for a Michelin star restaurant to pair bacon and popcorn. With 110 different bubblies, it sure is a special occasion joint!
October 11, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Looks like a great option (you’re right, you had me at bacon popcorn). And have such fond memories of that Noble One- it was the first sticky we were served at our first fancy dinner out in Sydney 10 years ago. Has always been a favourite.
October 13, 2011 at 5:24 am
Su-Lin – Yes there is three courses for £25 at lunch time so that is a good option.
Chopinandmysaucepan – I know my heart leapt when I saw the bubbly list.
Tori – Nice to have a wine with happy memories – especially such a good one.
November 11, 2012 at 11:29 am
All these food faults are not helped by indifferent and inattentive staff that lacks a sense of timing.
To put Texture beside other one star holders is not a fair reflection of the experience, they did not deserve to make the cut for 2013.
But come on, people can’t be foodies and having a real understanding of Michelin rating in the world to say this Texture worth one