Evoluzione @ Hotel Xenia, Cromwell Road - Evoluzione is running a series of guest chefs to take you on a gastronomic journey throughout Italy. From now until the end of the year, one guest chef will be cooking together with Evoluzione's own Michelin star chef, Chef Andrea Angeletti, devising a menu by focusing on local ingredients specific to their region, and adding a twist on flavour combinations. Each resident chef will be cooking in Evoluzione for six weeks. At GBP 65.00 per person the guest chef meal includes canapes, a welcome drink and a four course meal paired with wine.
I was invited to join their second of their eighth part series in this culinary exploration with Chef Mario Demuro from Basilicata, Italy.
The start of the evening began with a trio of canapes and specially selected wines, "Le Paglie" and "Akratos", specific to the Basilicata region. There was an added glamour with a pianist playing in the corner. It added charisma to the evening. Dressed in smart casual attire, I didn't feel too intimidated.
frittella in paper surprise - the presentation was a take on the English fish and chips takeaway served up in a newspaper look alike. Inside, revealed an aubergine croquette which was delicious but a tad too salty.
caprese by the glass
sphere of swordfish - the fish had gone a little dry but that tomato sauce was TOO delicious to waste. It took all our internal willpower we had not to lick the dish.
These canapes were served after 19:00 hours and although I was tempted to have seconds, I knew I couldn't be too greedy as yet. We were escorted to a lower floor of the dining area. A J-shaped chef's table took centre stage and the rest of the tables were strategically placed facing inwards.
evolution of traditional pasta cozze e fagioli, unconstructed pasta mussels and beans - A presentation that represents the sea (froth) and the land (puree of beans) of Basilicata where Chef Mario Demuro came from. He humbly confessed that an Italian would not eat his pasta in this manner but this was an evolution of a Italian pasta dish to fit in the Eurpoean fine dining manner; so, a rather large amuse bouche. The blended puree is a mixture of beans (22 different kinds of beans grown in the Basilicata region) but carries a very strong kidney red bean flavour, which is a personal favourite.
the potato lays the egg with porcini, fondue of Caciocavallo cheese and cauliflower sauce - Chef Mario's hometown ingredient is the Caciocavallo cheese (made from a milk special to the Basilicata region known as 'cheese on horseback') and with my feeling of hostility towards cheese thought that it was very salty. The oozing egg yolk was to lust for but the whole dish was again a little too salty with the cauliflower sauce.
cream of broad beans with Cavatellini pasta, pesto chicory and Lucania's crusco peppers - the texture of the pasta took me by surprise. It was chewy - a good chewy which is something that I would associate more with the Chinese style of noodles.
lamb chop stuffed with asparagus and carrots, spinach flan, vegetable Macedonia and Aglianico reduction
the soil ... brownies with Candonga strawberry sorbet, lemon and meringue - the colours and presentation just makes evryone happy. The texture of the brownie was perfect. Personally I would have preferred a more profound cocoa flavour and when you have a good brownie like that, give me an uncrumbled piece please.
There were intermitent appearances of Chef Mario to explain the idea and story behind each dish. We were even given a short masterclass on how to single handedly shape pasta (I was just glad I did not have to eat my own shaped pasta!). It was a great evening to spend with the other bloggers present. When you have more than one blogger on the same table, this happens...
If you are looking for a meal with an added entertainment, take this opportunity with specially selected chefs in the flamboyant dining room of Hotel Xenia. Look out for the future guest chef events...
26th May Teresa Buongiorno Puglia
24th June Luca Collami Liguria
14th July Andrea Incerti Emilia-Romagna
8th Sept Donato Episcopo Veneto
21st Oct Paolo Barrale Campania
25th Nov Stefano Masanti Lombardia
For me it was a dining experience that I have never had - fanciful food presentation, good Italian wine, excellent service with a charming guest chef. But have you met an Italian person who is not charming?
Thank you Zomato and Evoluzione for hosting such a great evening. Oh, soooo looking forward to the next one.
Evoluzione also does a separate a la carte menu and an express lunch menu from GBP 11.00 for a main. read more