Hibiscus – London

 Online Reservations
 29 Maddox Street, W1S 2PA, London
0044 20 7629 2999
www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

Sunday & Monday closed

Chef: Claude Bosi

During one of our last short visits in London, I had the luck to enjoy a quick lunch at restaurant Hibiscus. This two star restaurant was on our wish list and luckily the request for a lunch within 1,5 hour could be met.

A few years ago restaurant Hibiscus moved from its rural setting to the centre of London. Chef-patron Claude Bosi together with his wife Claire runs the restaurant. The Frenchman Claude has been trained in some of France best restaurants before moving to the UK in 1997. In 2000 they opened up the Hibiscus restaurant in the little town of Ludlow in Shropshire. The chef was quickly very successful, gaining its first Michelin star in 2001 and a second few years later. In 2007 they moved the entire restaurant to Maddox Street in London’s Mayfair.

Having read that chef Claude Bosi gained experience with Alain Ducasse and Alain Passard, we were really looking forward to discover his style of cooking. Special thanks to SK from QLI who was willing to join me for this little lunch before he went for another lunch experience. Crazy foodies you find nowadays. The welcome was very professional and followed by well-organized service. With the time limit we had, the three-course lunch menu was an obvious choice (49£). This lunch even includes half bottle of wine and coffee and can be considered as a very good value for money seen the two stars the restaurant has. You can also opt for the à la carte choices or a tasting menu in three (90£), six (100£) or eight (120£) courses.

After some crispy peanuts as appetizer we received a nicely presented egg amuse. The egg was filled with cabbage mousse, coconut and topped with curry powder.Hibiscus London

The lunch offers three choices per course and as a starter I went for the foie gras variation. The duck liver terrine came with rhubarb powder and fleur de sel. A rhubarb salad with cardamom was served and gave this classical dish a more modern interpretation. For a high level restaurant though I expected a bit more uniqueness and character.Hibiscus London

My Main dish was a poached Cornish cod served à la Grenobloise with a sauce of brown butter. The dish was very rich and had intense flavours; the cod itself could have been a little less cooked.Hibiscus London

We finished this speed-lunch with a Blood orange Givrée, sorbet, merengue and soft caramel.Hibiscus London

Needless to say that the Savennières, Arena blanc 2012, a Chenin Blanc from Agnes & René Moss in the Loire was excellent.

Restaurant Hibiscus starts from a classical French cuisine but uses modern touches to create an interesting modern refined cuisine. I believe one can enjoy more creativity and high class dining when choosing the full tasting menu. Our first encounter was definitely showing potential.

Be-Gusto

Be-Gusto score:               15,5/20

Be-Gusto Price/quality: 16/20


Hibiscus

29 Maddox Street, W1S 2PA, London

Tel: +44 20 7629 2999
www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

Sunday & Monday closed

Hibiscus London

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