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The Victoria in Sheen
Great eats and long sleeps, courtesy of Sheen's finest dining
room
Where? The Victoria, 10 West Temple Sheen, London SW14
7RT (020 8876 4238, www.thevictoria.net)
Traditional pub name, traditional pub grub? From the thrice-cooked
chips to the ham, egg and pineapple, the bar menu at The
Victoria is great for those who want a hearty snack after
a bracing walk in nearby Richmond Park, but for something
altogether fancier, step into the buzzy conservatory where
the a la carte menu will spoil even the most discerning
of diners.
Talk about raising expectations! You won't be disappointed.
Starters like roasted scallops on caramelised pork belly
or Cornish mussel broth with curry spices would be equally
at home on the menu of a five-star, silver-service hotel
restaurant as they are here, while mains of pan-fried sea
bass on sag aloo, onion bhagee and tomato chilli jam or
seared squid with Alejandro chorizo, spiced chick pea puree
and coriander yoghurt are as tasty as they are unusual.
Are the desserts as quirky as the mains they follow? For
those who prefer to sate their sweet tooth with something
traditional, warm chocolate pudding with chantilly cream
is the obvious choice. For the rest of us, thyme blossom
honey and ginger semi freddo with roasted fig and pine nuts
or baked egg custard with blackberry compote and green apple
sorbet are a delicious diversion from the norm.
Sounds like you need the bracing walk after the meal not
before it? Either that, or a very long sleep. If the latter's
your preferred option, you'll be delighted to hear there's
a suite of bedrooms upstairs where you can retire after
your meal for a good night's kip, before repeating the whole
experience with a slap-up breakfast the next morning.
Review by Carla Bevan
See the Marie Claire website for the full review at: http://www.marieclaire.co.uk
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