Virginia Plain

I was invited to a bloggers lunch at Virginia Plain on Saturday and decided to give the whole blogger event thing a whirligig.

I arrived just after 1pm and was one of the last to be seated. Others were already there and seemed to know each other. Anyway, introductions and pleasantries were exchanged and first impressions of everyone were very good.

Mat was a charming host and kept the atmosphere fun and light whilst at the same time made sure things happened and we were well looked after which we were.

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We started off with an oyster shooter with a sake foam and dashi. As the shot hit, the intense saltiness of the stock was the first flavour note, followed by the creamy oyster with a different salty tang that ended with a sweetness that comes from seafood.

We had a choice of starter: salmon gravalax with apple and fennel, a  courgette salad and a fig, bresaola and mozzarella salad.

I chose the salmon and it was a light summery start to the proceedings. The sweetness of the apple complimented the salmon and I ate a little of the fennel although it's not really my kind of veg. I think it needed a bit more citrus tang other than the apple so maybe the fennel should have been pickled lightly. However the slices of silky salmon were delicious.

I opted for the Wagyu steak for my main course and it was cooked medium rare. Tender and tasty and the accompanying fried straw potatoes were a moreish delight as well as the sides we shared of fries and two different types of green salad - a rocket and parmesan with green beans and lettuce with an anchovy dressing.

I found the rocket salad a touch underseasoned and the anchovy dressing a tad oversalty so when I mixed the two up it was perfect!

Dessert was a choice of warm chocolate mousse with cherries or strawberries and cream. By this time after a couple of glasses of red wine, I was good friends enough with my neighbour Rambling Relish, that we could do a spoon dip of each other's dessert.

My conclusion on the chocolate mousse was that it was very intense which would suit the chocoholic like my sister or friend Lucy but too much for me. I enjoyed the summertime delight of the strawberries and cream and it was a pleasant finish to a lovely meal. Perhaps not stellar stand out but still very enjoyable.

After lunch we were encouraged to move to the pass to take part in a master class with Andy and Flo. There are two Andys at VP and one is Andy Harmer ex Vue group for many years and he worked for Shannon Bennet with Flo.

The other Andy (Andy Wright) who demonstrated how to make chicken liver parfait is the other head chef and in spite of many years of international chef stardom still has a resounding Manchester accent that was a delight to listen to!

Flo kept us entertained with stories of failed souffles whilst working at Vue de Monde as well as his degustation menu he goes for at McDonalds!

Best part of the masterclass was that we got to eat a souffle each. Oh it was like eating clouds made by the sugarplum fairy, actually make that the sugar pistachio fairy. And the apricot foam was tart enough to cut through the sugar kisses the fairy bestowed on the souffle. The molten chocolate centre was like a delightful surprise. Now that's a standout dessert!

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Thanks for the warm hospitality Virginia Plain. I had a blast. I didn't really have expectations of the bloggers event but whatever they were they were surpassed and it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Thank you for reminding me that the time we came, we had a great time and that we shouldn't forget you. Love that you're doing some great things and that whole relaxed vibe thing doesn't mean standards are compromised. Instead you're doing relaxation and laid back so well that there's quality and consistency too. Until next time my sweet souffle!