Searcy’s at the Gherkin opened their
top floor restaurant for non-members for a few weeks in summer (21 July – 4 Sept);
just in time for my parents visit in the summer. We booked for brunch on a Sunday.
The security procedures for going up
to the restaurant were overwhelming. We started with ID verification at the
reception, followed by an X-ray security scan. Then we were escorted up the elevator
to level 35(?) where we checked in our coats, then up another set of elevators
to the restaurant, where we were finally released from close surveillance.
And boom! We were treated to a
magnificent view of London. Though we have been to other high-rise restaurants
in the city, like Duck & Waffle and The Shard, there is something about the
Gherkin. It must be the multi-storey high ceiling and the 360 panoramic view
that makes this so much more spectacular than the others.
Serrano
ham, Eggs Benedict
Most of us went for eggs benedict. You
can’t go wrong with this combination.
Waldorf
salad, oxford blue and mayonnaise
Mingson wasn’t mad about the salad;
think he found the cheese too strong, the icy pickled apple to acidic and the
walnut too bitter too burnt. That said waldorf salad is not his usual choice
because he doesn’t eat celery…
Salmon,
new potato salad, mango, spinach
The salmon was lightly cured to retain
its sashimi texture, bouncy and soft. The gentle curing brought out the fishy
flavours from the salmon, which worked well with the fruity sweetness from the
mango puree.
Truffle
risotto
The truffle aroma was insanely strong,
deeply infused with the creamy risotto. This was as good as the Gauthier Soho risotto, if not better. The only thing with truffle risotto, however, is that
regardless of how well it’s made, the flavours get slightly numbing half way
through because the truffle essence is so dominating. Once in a while is fine
though.
Dark
Chocolate Mousse, Marshmallows, Mint Hot Chocolate
Our server poured the mint hot
chocolate sauce at the table. I don’t usually like mint chocolate, but because
the dark chocolate was so rich, the mint worked really well to lift it. The
scary fluorescent green marshmallow resembled a piece of polystyrene with highlighter
spilled all over it, I didn’t touch them.
Strawberry
& Cream
The lightest option from the menu, and
we asked for the cream to be served on the side.
Lemon
tart, raspberry sorbet
We had the pleasure of witnessing some
dramatic weather conditions during our brunch. It started with clear blue skies,
then a wave of thick clouds swept across the sky, bringing a massive storm and it
started bucketing down. Back to blue skies before dessert.
Brunch at the Gherkin was an awesome
experience. As mentioned, there is something spectacular about the view with
the glass ceiling. It may not be the tallest, but perhaps the most extraordinary.
The food was safe; reserved recipes that were well executed and beautifully
presented. I can’t say it prompted me to apply for an annual membership
straight away, but I am very glad I took Mama and Papa Chan here.
Level 39
The Gherkin
30 St Mary Axe
London
EC3A 8EP
Tel: 0207 071 5052

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Your blog information is useful for me. I have decided to go London with my friends after my bus tours dc. We will visit this place and hope so enjoy delicious food. Can you give information about its opening and closing hours of this restaurant?
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