11th March 2008
Pig out in the Pigalle
A true delight in the middle of a tourist hell hole that is Piccadilly!
Vince Power and Co' have turned this old adult cinema into a gem of a cabaret club. With stars like Dita Von Tese, Prince, Immodesty Blaize, Van Morrison, Ruby Turner and Shirley Bassy all performering there - you know you can't go wrong.
There is a viewing balcony and bar, or a seated area downstairs with restaurant.
I went on a Monday night for Music box, which is a bit of a jam session with a selection of up and coming talented singers and musicians. Some of the voices were amazing! Very entertaining.
We sat downstairs and had a 3 course meal.
For starters we both had the Carpaccio of English beef fillet, with parmesan shavings, lemon oil and caper berries.
The combination worked very well and was well presented.
For mains I had the Barbary duck breast with creamed potatoes, braised baby onions and herbed mushrooms with a port wine jus.
The duck was cooked to perfection - still a little pink and juicy and the vegetables and jus complimented it, nicely.
My boyfriend had the roasted fillet of cod - which was delicate and light with celeriac, peppers, courgettes in a mussel broth.
For dessert I chose the Chocolate brownie and Whiskey choc' sauce and vanilla parfait - this was lovely and served more on a tray-style plate and was more like 3 different choclates than how it was decribed - very rich and lovely all the same.
My partners peat tart tatin with cinnamon parfait was - he assures me - yummy, as I didnt get a look in for a taster!
With a bottle of decent french red from the Limoge region and service charge, it was under £90 and that included both our show tickets!
The service was lovely and attentive without being too pushy, although they are VERY quick to top up your wine glass - speaking of which, was extremely light and flimsy that one of ours broke at the stem luckily no one was hurt - apart from my top with the red wine!
Although the meals were cooked well and thoroughly enjoyed, the portions were on the small size and the menu selection is limited to 3 per course.
I will definitely be back to The Pigalle!