Oh what a night! I was delighted to be included in this elite event, the launch of the summer menu at East restaurant, in the Spencer Hotel.
The hotel itself is really gorgeous, reminiscent of an opulent cruise ship with its streamlined wood finish on the walls and porter hole windows, steel topped bars and grand marble foyer, I was immediately impressed.
I was welcomed by the glamorous Emily and shown to the table, where I was offered a choice of 3/4 signature cocktails. I opted for the cucumber and wasabi martini. It's tastes as unusual as it sounds but it's delicious!
Paul, the manager, personally greeted each guest and was full friendly chat as we got to know everyone else at the table. He then gave us some info on the hotel and about the food we were about to be eating. I felt that his enthusiasm was so genuine that I was really excited to try the food, I love when someone is so proud of their product and service that they can speak with such confidence, he mentioned the "East Lamb Curry" and claimed it would be the best lamb we'd ever try, so I knew this was going to be fun!
A selection of starters arrived - duck and vegetable spring rolls with Dillon sauces (I didn't try these but they looked fantastic!), chicken satay skewers - delicious, probably the best I've tried, sticky spare ribs (not for me), and for me the 2 stars of the starters - monkfish tempura with teriyaki dipping sauce - the monkfish was so perfectly delicate it was a delight, and so rare to get it cooked so nicely! The other real winner for me were the prawn dumplings, served with soy, ginger and wasabi, so fresh and tasty. Really good.
I opted for the red wine and was delighted to see one of my favourite wines on offer - a Chilean called Urmenta, which I haven't seen often but really love.
We were asked to swap places then, and settled in for the main courses. Out came Thai green chicken curry (nice but very mild), beef in soy and basil sauce (delicious), calamari Kung po (not for me, the calamari was overdone, tasty veg and sauce though!), an amazing nasi goreng that was served with a chicken satay skewer and fresh veggies on the side, very visually impressive, then chicken chow mein - really very tasty. The winner for me however was the east lamb curry, il give it to Paul, it was the best lamb curry I've ever tasted. Spicy but not overpowering and melt in the mouth tender.
This is my absolute favourite way to eat - a bit of everything, if food was served like this more often in restaurants I'd be in food heaven, being able to order 4 small dishes instead of one each! I know this was a tasting night but if this option ever happened here at Easy they would get sick of the sight of me visiting so often!!
Seat swap again and on to desserts! These were so pretty and the mousses were delicious.
I finished up with Lynchburg lemonade cocktail, I was impressed to see this on the cocktail menu, it not often is, and it was made perfectly!
It was lovely to get to meet the chefs, manager, extremely friendly staff and get to try some amazing food and drinks. I will definitely be recommending East restaurant and will be back soon to try more of that amazing curry - and find out the secret recipe for it :)
Thanks again to Emily, Nicola and Paul for such a wonderful night. read more