I booked this for my birthday as I knew my reluctant husband would oblige me for the occasion. Guts and Glory focuses on one cuisine for 3 or 4 months and the menu is prix fixed, the only thing you have to decide is the number of courses you want, 5,6 or 7. The current menu was listed as "The Best OF.." where the menu consisted of items as they said were the highlights of previous menus.
We chose the five course meal and started with a lovely amuse bouche with 3 items, a tiny Orancine type of deep fried rice ball with Kimchi that was just delicious, then a shot of Green Gazpacho- again absolutely delicious and a little bite of some kind of tiny pizza - cute and delicious as well. I noticed the other guests were being served the next course and heard what it was and I thought - oh no, ceviche. I was not excited about that as I am not a big fan- boy did that dish change my mind. Marinated sea bass with a tiny dollop of avocado puree (not guac), sweet potato puree and tiny rows of roasted corn off the cob that still held together. On top of that was a frozen shaving of Pisco Sour- which as it melted, gave a sensational punch to the dish that made it absolutely extraordinary. I ate both mine and my husbands (he ate the corn, I said he was reluctant but what I meant was picky). Our next course was a fish with white and green asparagus and whatever else, I can't remember but it was sensational. That was followed by a bowl of ramen with I think pork- it was stunning, and I was getting quite full. The last main course was a slice of lamb which was prepared sous vide so it melted in your mouth, after a bite I gave mine to my husband to enjoy as I knew he would. The desserts were amazing though might not sound it on paper- eggplant ice cream with a chocolate mousse- what a combination, the eggplant only slightly sweet with a delicate flavor that blended beautifully with the chocolate beneath it. That was followed by a superb lemon ice cream with a scorched meringue on top and a cookie crumble below. Then of course a few cookies and chocolates were presented with the check.
I asked the waiter if the meaning behind Guts and Glory was that as a patron you had to have the guts to trust the chef with the menu and the glory would be the food. His reply was that I was one of the first people to get it right! I can only say this is an easy risk with great reward and I cannot stop raving to everyone I speak with about this place, it is a must! read more