Hibiscus

There were three very distinct reasons why my dining companion (DC) and I stood out from the rest of the other diners in the packed out room at lunch today. Firstly we weren’t wearing suits, secondly we were probably the youngest diners in the room (now that’s saying something!) and lastly we were also the only table not to have ordered any alcohol as we were both teatotallers (every restaurateurs’ nightmare).

Without further delay I wish to declare that I had one of the best meals this year at Hibiscus, and to think it was only the set lunch that we had. Come to think of it I’m pretty sure that every table in the dining room opted for the same deal as well, so we’re all in inspired company. The ambience was gratifyingly classy but without the stuffiness, one needn’t whisper to each other nor feel severely awkward. The service was exemplary and an absolute masterclass in front of room affairs run by the gaffer’s wife. Usual quibble, although minor, included the usual incomprehensible Anglais spoken by the waiters.

My starter of Terrine of Welsh Mutton and Foie Gras was quite simply spectacular, the mutton was packed full of flavour and melt in the mouth. DC’s winter offering of swede velouté was deemed excellent. My fantastic mains of veal cottage pie wasn’t your everyday generic type but a posher bespoke version and in more ways than one a concoction worthy of bettering your mum’s version. DC’s Cornish Pollock was sublime and for a Monday dish, the fish tasted super fresh. The superiority of the starters and mains meant they were difficult acts to follow, but thankfully the puddings we had passed with flying colours and proved their equal to the other two courses. My Iced Date Parfait with Shortbread was inspiring and a memorable, and the companion’s Sweet Potato Tart was judged to be faultless and a perfect end to his own experience.

This set lunch thingy, a testament to M. Bosi, is also an absolutely brilliant ploy to ensure that we all come back for more. I can only imagine his à la carte or tasting menu as nothing short of profoundly enlightening. Hibiscus is at the very least 2 stars material or maybe even three in the not too long future. We Londoners; we’re indeed a worthy and lucky bunch.

NB Table 6, perfect for couples and people watching.
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bellaphon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 08, 2008

We visited Hibiscus for dinner on 15th August, having read the good reviews and we weren't disappointed. Despite booking three weeks in advance we could only get a 9.45pm table. However, when the restaurant called to confirm the booking they asked if we'd like them to call if they could accommodate us earlier and they could and they did.

We chose the five course Summer menu and it was absolutely delicious, as were the accompanying wines. However, at £62.50 for the food with the accompanying wine at £50, I would expect it to be! Each course was beautifully presented and the combination of flavours was sublime.

Was it perfect? Just a few tiny niggles. Presumably because we were their last booking, the service was a little rushed with the first 3 courses served within 40 minutes. However, there was no problem when we asked for a little more time before the main course. Next time we'll wait until we can get an 8pm table so that we can really take our time. Secondly, I agree with the reviewer who criticised the atmosphere - it just feels a little formal and sterile. Finally if, like me, you don't enjoy foods such as tripe, sweetbreads and fois gras, you might struggle with the a la carte menu.
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Lesley - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 17, 2008

Simply fantastic food, perhaps the best meal I have had in London.
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AT
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I went to Hibiscus on Friday 8th August and overall I would say I was disappointed. The food was interesting and well cooked and the service was excellent. However, the room was devoid of atmosphere. Glancing around at my fellow diners, there didn't seem to be anyone who was having a good time. I'm not sure how this matter can be remedied. Sometimes I think chefs can take themselves a little too seriously and this cascades down to the dining room. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a relaxed fun night out but can see its attraction for serious foodies.
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The Colonel
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Sunday, August 10, 2008

We went to Hibiscus for our anniversary last night. Having gone for the 7 course tasting menu with wine selection, the waiter asked if there was anything we didn't like. Anything and everything is fine we said, apart from mint, which I don't like. Weird I know, but that's me. Anyway, pre-dinner smoothie turns up and is fantastic. All good so far. Then the first course turns up served in a minty sauce. Eyes roll. To be fair, the use of mint is subtle, but even so it's all I can taste. Likewise the desert, which was fantastic other than the fact that it was also mint-based! In between everything was great, and my non-mint-hating spouse enjoyed every bite, but the start and end of the meal were a disappointment to me. At these prices I expect the kitchen to listen to my dislikes (especially if they're going to take the trouble to ask), or at least warn me if they can't accommodate them. The warm and friendly service at Hibiscus makes a nice change to the cold efficiency of some Michelin starred eateries, but they need to listen more and/or get the communication between kitchen and front of house sorted out.
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David
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

There was a movie some years ago called "a bridge too far",about how Montgomerey had an over-ambitious plan to capture a serious of bridges across Holland with paratroopers, hold them and others would rush up the road and into Germany. Naturally it was a disaster. This restaurant suffers from "an ingredient too far" in most of its dishes. The ambition to do something really unique involves adding lots of ingredients, which usually results in failure as there is invariably one ingredient that ruins the rest of the dish. This is a very personal style of cooking,and reflects what the chef thinks goes well together. Either you buy into it,or you wish you could spit it into the napkin(cabbage soup with runny egg yolk for example ). What is on offer is well executed and prepared with care,but just doesn't go well together,and is not something you would want to eat more of any time soon.

Seems the chef was a hit in the country up north, and decided if he was a hit there, well he would be in the big city too. This usually does not work (like his concoctions) because being a hit in the country is usually because there is no place else to eat; or the locals will eat anything; or the locals accept any concoction because they think it must be sophisticated. In London, there is lots of choice,and people won't accept anything just because the chef thinks it might go well together. The chef knows his stuff and how to cook and would probably be hugely successful with more restraint.
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C.Elder
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, July 10, 2008

On Friday 13 June I, along with three other people were "kicked out" of this restaurant because the fourth member of the group was a last minute addition. The maitre refused to add a fourth place to the round table where three of us were already sitting and left us with the choice of either one of us leaving (which was of course out of the question) or for the four of us to leave (which we did). What an unpleasant, unhelpful young man that maitre!! Appalling.

This has never happened to me before and it surely is not happening to me again in that place. One expects a certain level of courtesy when walking into a restaurant like that to spend some money, even if it has lost a Michelin star this year. Kinda see why...
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Leopoldo
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Although the food served shows proficiency, it lacks in passion and love. Same sentiment prevails in service. I am not inclined to return and would pause to recommend as missing in warmth. A big shame.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Monday, June 09, 2008

A friend and I enjoyed the most blissful lunch here last week.

We had the incredibly cheap set lunch menu (two choices on each of the three courses + an amuse bouche for £25) and were overwhelmed with the wonderful meal we were served. It was clever, delicious, filling and beautifully presented.

Often the 'good value' set lunches that top restaurants serve are deeply disappointing, left-over type, meals. Having this lunch at Hibiscus is a completely different experience. I'm telling all my friends and I can't wait to go back!

The service was friendly AND supremely professional.

As previously mentioned, the wine list is good very good value.

It all made for a relaxing and memorable afternoon. Highly recommended.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 05, 2008

We contemplated whether to have the surprise 7 course tasting menu or the Taste of Winter menu but finally settled on the surprise menu because it only cost slightly more but we can sample more dishes. If there is anything on the surprise menu you prefer not to have, just let the chef knows and they will accommodate you. I requested not to have foie gras and was given a substitution of parmesan & coffee polenta with shavings of Tuscan truffle which is not on the menu. Claude Bosi is a very creative chef and ingredients paired in each course are unusual but delightful and produce fantastic taste sensations as well as visually appealing. My favourite from the surprise menu was the tartar of Scottish scallops & green mango,

sweetcorn & shellfish broth and scallop Cracker and the roast Cornish John Dory seasoned with Herefordshire Ham, root vegetables with ras el hanout, chestnut & gherkin sauce. The only thing which was I didn’t like was the goat’s cheese ice cream that was paired with the dark chocolate tart but it was only because I don’t like goat’s cheese. Other than the wonderful food, the nice thing about Hibiscus is that it is one of those rare Michelin star restaurants that offers fairly reasonably priced wines. The wine list is extensive, but there is a good selection of wine ranging from very reasonable to extremely expensive. On their house wine list, there is a bottle of Taja Monastrell for under 20 quid. This is a gastronomic experience and should not be missed by anyone who considers themselves a foodie. This is a 2 star Michelin restaurant in London with more reasonable prices than a lot of other high end London eatery. The only downside is that Hibiscus is only opened Monday to Friday.
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Tiffany
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 17, 2008