BAR BOULUD: A CHRISTMAS CRACKER

I love Bar Boulud and haven’t had one disappointing meal here, their madeleines are to die for and the service is impeccable.

We decided quite last minute to eat out on Christmas Day and managed to get a reservation at Bar Boulud. Sure, sure judge me for eating out on Christmas Day. Well consider this…great food, no sweating, washing, fighting. Not saying I won’t make Christmas dinner again (by ‘I’ read sister / mother)  but once in a while, eating out on Christmas day is quite simply excellent.

First up was a salmon blini which was light and delicious:

Turkey for main: turkey breast, butternut squash and veggie ‘trifle’, turkey sausage, brussel sprouts, carrot cubes, all expertly cooked with a dollop of cranberry sauce. I requested a small pot of the sumptuous gravy sauce to top up my already tender and moist turkey breast:

Next up was the chocolate log topped with hazelnuts and a thin crunch, with a thick chocolate sauce nestled underneath and a side of sesame seed ice cream. I liked the savoury combination of the ice cream with the rich sweetness of the chocolate log. I couldn’t finish it. I felt a wave of disappointment sweep over me. I genuinely think I’m talented at eating and to be stripped of that talent is a grievous thing indeed. It seems my stomach is shrinking; in the good days I could polish off a 390g carton of sticky toffee pudding. These days I’m struggling with a slice of chocolate log. Sad, Sad times:

On the verge of explosion but fueled by greed, I had to sample the mignardises which were nothing short of delectable.

Cost: £85  (3 courses incl. bottle of wine)

Address: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA

Phone: 020 7201 3899

Hours:

LAST VISITED DECEMBER 2013