the victoria
the victoria
the victoria
the victoria

The Victoria's Newsletter May 2013


Out for lunch.... or dinner
Finally the weather seems to be catching up with the seasons. A sunny start to May meant our garden was packed with diners and drinkers enjoying a little long awaited sunshine. In the hope that it's set to last, we have organised our summer outdoor kitchen menu and it launches at midday Friday May 17th.
Our chefs will be cooking from the outdoor kitchen all summer long at the following times
Fridays and Saturdays: 12 – 7pm
Sundays: 5 – 8pm
Chelsea flower show
Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 21st – May 25th, see: www.rhs.org.uk
If you are going to the Chelsea Flower show make sure you visit the SeeAbility Garden sponsored by Coutts and created and assembled by Darren Hawkes. Although based in Cornwall these days, Darren spent much of his gardening life in West London working alongside The Victoria’s very own gardener Chris Williams, often in this very garden….(does this mean we could now charge people to visit The Victoria Garden?!)
Remember we have hotel rooms available should you be travelling from afar or simply book a table for an after show snack….and admire our immaculately kept garden.... roses, kitchen herbs, olive trees, apple trees and rambling wisteria….
Our ridiculously generous Tuesday offer…..
Tuesday means Bite & a Pint for a tenner at The Victoria – Every Tuesday this month we will be serving: Homemade chunky haddock fish finger sandwich, on white bloomer with tartar sauce…. for ten quid…. including a pint!
Bank holiday plans….
Bank holiday plans at The Victoria
Monday 27th May is a Bank Holiday and if it’s anything like the one at the beginning of the month then you need to book up fast!
We will be offering our Sunday style menu from 12pm with last orders at 5.45pm
We will then be cooking a BBQ supper menu from 6pm until 8pm
Wine of the month
Cremant de Loire Rose at The Victoria
Crémant de Loire Rosé Non Vintage: Cave de Saumur, Loire, France

A light-bodied sparkling belter lifting the soul, and setting up a great party atmosphere at The Victoria. This beautiful coral pink 100% Cabernet Franc oozes soft seduction and has the pure delicacy of a violin passage.

This is great as an aperitif, especially in the garden and best matched with outrageous frivolity and laughter! An elegant delicious Loire winner without the Champagne price tag - go on you know you want to!!
Domaine Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet 2012 at The Victoria
Domaine Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet 2012, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

The local grape winning the hearts of the masses! Picpoul de Pinet is considered the "Muscadet" of the South. Grown a short crawl from the oyster beds of the Bassin de Thau, this wine screams at you to match up with oysters, all shellfish and fish!

Beware it's also a winner as an aperitif or with light salads but you can unwittingly drink this in the sun all day long! Picpuoul (also known as Folle Blanche or gros plant) means "lip stinger", which refers to the high acidity. It is crisp, long and full with a nose of floral and mineral notes.
Guest Ale for April
Butcombe Bitter
The West Country's favourite beer derives from pure Mendip Spring Water, notably bitter, clean tasting, refreshingly dry & distinctive. Made with 100% best Maris Otter malt (the Rolls Royce of malts), together with blend of English hop varities... Butcombe bitter is a moreish Mendip masterpiece.
Notes from the Kitchen
Summer is here right? I hope so because having just written the outdoor kitchen BBQ menu I am now in the mood for some light and summery food. As mentioned above we kick off at midday on May 17th. That means on May 16th I need to sack all of our ugly, overweight chefs and replace them with lean and beautiful versions ready for a bit of public cookery!
Talking of public cookery….The Foodies festivals are now part of the culinary calendar and I shall be doing cookery demonstrations at Hampton Court Palace on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May at 3pm and then again at Clapham Common Sunday 9th June at 4pm.
I shall also be appearing on Channel 4’s What’s Cooking with Ben Shepherd and Lisa Faulkner (both of whom have graced our restaurant on various occasions) The shows go out live each lunchtime from May 13th – 17th.
OK that’s enough promotion for one month – well almost enough, because I do need to publicly declare my love for Brentford F.C and wish them well at Wembley in the promotion play off finals this month! I shall be there singing for the cause!
Bon appétit
Paul, Greg and The Victoria team