Thursday 29 August 2013

" The New Age of Irish Chefs " ( Part 3 ) .Tom Walsh @SamphireDublin

 
Samphire Restaurant  at the Waterside Hotel  , is located in the seaside village of Donabate , on the North side of Dublin . Shortlisted in the Best Hotel Restaurant Category at this Year Irish Restaurant Awards 2013 . Its Success relies without a doubt on its Executive Head Chef Tom Walsh  , and not surprisingly, who was also shortlisted in the Best Chef Category .
He is one to watch , with plenty of flair and his innovative Culinary additions that ensures each dish shines , not with cheffy attitudes but with perfectly paired flavours .
We were greeted warmly by the staff , who proved to be courteous , friendly and polite throughout the evening . We were shown to a window side table , where the views of Dublin bay were spectacular .
My only gripe is with the decor of the dining room , which I found to be drab . But I was soon distracted by the Menu on offer . It sang with seasonality and imagination .


We started our meal with an amuse bouche of Castletownbere Crab , lemon brulée and grapefruit jelly .


The light and lemony set cream was well paired with the grapefruit jelly , While one was deliciously creamy and smooth , the other offered a welcoming contrast in texture and with just a hint of citrusy zing which complimented perfectly a spoonful of herbed Crab meat .
A beautiful start and enough to get your juices flowing .

Our starter of Pan seared Moulard Duck foie gras , caramelised Mango , sherry vinegar reduction were two slabs of Foie gras , beautifully seared and seasoned . Bright , swollen cubes of caramelised Mango reflected the fragrant and fruity flavours on the plate and muted the buttery smoothness of the foie gras . With a drizzle of Sherry Vinegar reduction and lots of toasted brioche , the result was utterly delightful .


 

Our first main of Roast Guinea fowl , truffled peas , rainbow carrots , new potatoes , foie gras and Albufeira , consisted of a piece of Guinea fowl breast with perfectly crisp skin , sliced and drizzled with a rich and creamy albuferia sauce . A baillotine of its leg offered the darker and more gamey flavour of the meat . The whole ensemble was finished with a scattering of truffled peas , foie gras , rainbow carrots , new potatoes and for a decorative flourish , some sprigs of purple cress . While all this make for a complicated description , the combination of flavours and textures on the plate were faultless .


This was followed by Rump of lamb , shallot & rosemary rosti , red currant jus and micro veg .
The lamb had a delicate and almost floral flavour . It was beautifully cooked , moist and very tender , along with the ingenious shallot & rosemary rosti and red currant jus ,  it was a beautiful and rewarding dish. Cylinders of micro vegetables , looking elegant and inviting captured the season on a plate .   Utterly stunning.


For dessert , we had the Creme brulée , blood orange sorbet , pistachio and raspberries . Almost too rich but incredibly sensuous , with a light glassy caramel topping , the brulée was smooth and velvety . The blood orange perfectly matched it's sweetness , pistachio crumbs and nougatine offered contrast in textures as did the raspberries pops which exploded in one's mouth in a gigantic burst of freshness and fruitiness . Utterly divine and I never thought ,I'd say that about a creme brulée!!


The Caramel collection  with Apple , was a rhapsody of Caramel popcorn , nougat , praline crunch ,
honeycomb , salted caramel ice cream , apple jelly , apple crisp and butterscotch sauce . This was a heart stopping , jaw aching confection that was , beautiful to look at ,  fun to eat as it was tasty . A Chef d'oeuvre .


Bravo Chef !

It is hard to believe that Samphire is only celebrating its first anniversary next week . With such glorious food , may I wish them all the very best and I , for certain will be back .



A 3 Course dinner is very good value at  €29.95



To book : info@samphire.ie
Tel: 01 8436153



Samphire Restaurant
The Waterside Hotel
Donabate on the beach
North Co . Dublin





Tagged : robert jacob-samphire restaurant-fine dining-tom walsh-the new age of irish chefs





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