***Note to our Esteemed Readers***
We are going to try some different formats for our blogs - please let us know what you like :-) L & S
Rootdown: http://rootdownlondon.com/#home
Why did we go?
We've been here before - and not that long ago - read about that here. We wanted to see how things were going because this place holds fast to the side that simple ingredients can make great dishes with care and ingenuity.
Rootdown is also one of the most adept social media savvy places we've visited. It's all about their fantastic Facebook page - even down to our menu for the evening. So go here - love the menu and 'like' the page.
Rootdown is also one of the most adept social media savvy places we've visited. It's all about their fantastic Facebook page - even down to our menu for the evening. So go here - love the menu and 'like' the page.
Where is it?
This time we took the train to Clapton (10 minutes from Liverpool Street); much better than the rush hour bus we suffered last time. It's a 5-10 minute walk south from the station across the roundabout and behold, a garden of earthly delights. Hackney is on the up and there's a sense that this kind of place has to stay one step ahead of bars, restaurants. Happily it does so, thanks to the sense and creativity of those running it.
What is it like inside?
This has to be a versatile venue and Ben and Becca manage to alter the mood a lot with the lighting. But it's as useful for a business brunch as it is for a romantic night out. And the music and the busy flow of dishes from the kitchen mean it has a feeling of purpose, but in that charming way they have, the bar is not a barrier but a workspace where more magic occurs.
This has to be a versatile venue and Ben and Becca manage to alter the mood a lot with the lighting. But it's as useful for a business brunch as it is for a romantic night out. And the music and the busy flow of dishes from the kitchen mean it has a feeling of purpose, but in that charming way they have, the bar is not a barrier but a workspace where more magic occurs.
Starters:
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| SN's Salmon & Octopus |
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| LM's Burnt Goat's Cheese salad |
LM: Burnt goats cheese salad with heritage tomatoes and leaves was a joy - really light, simple tastes but the charred texture and taste of the cheese really gave it something else. Gorgeous.
SN: my starter hit me with both barrels. The home smoker now works at a prodigious rate on a range of items including the home made butter below. The smoked salmon was wonderfully full flavour but without the oiliness which plagues commercial packs. The Octopus Salami was thing of beauty but such a surprise. Ingenuity showing through again. And finally the caper berries sealed this treasure of a dish - try it while you can.
Drinks: SN: my starter hit me with both barrels. The home smoker now works at a prodigious rate on a range of items including the home made butter below. The smoked salmon was wonderfully full flavour but without the oiliness which plagues commercial packs. The Octopus Salami was thing of beauty but such a surprise. Ingenuity showing through again. And finally the caper berries sealed this treasure of a dish - try it while you can.
Cocktails were essential to put the week behind us!
SN: I had a vibrant Amaretto Sours - which looked as gorgeous as it tasted.
LM: I can't remember which cocktail I had (which may say as much about my week as the potency of the drink!) but it was delicious - sharp and refreshing and setting me up nicely for the meal to come.
For wine we went for the Pinot Noir Estate, Johan Vineyards, Oregon 2011 (US) - a lithe wine of great flavour and the depth to hold up against or main course flavours.
Service: At the front of this house Becca moves between the tables with enthusiasm and all the gen on the marvellous food and the tricks of it's preparation. It's lovely when there is a crowd in to see each table getting in the Rootdown vibe and having their tastebuds and curiosity engaged. The staff here are well acquainted with each dish, each cocktail and all the wines. The pace of service matches the relish and interest of the diners, time as so often in the best experiences seems to melt away.
As friends of Rootdown we're bound to be biased but it is a special feeling to go back and find their energy undiminished and the kitchen's latest miracle greeted with the same surprise and wonder by the staff and their customers.
Main Courses:
SN: My Lamb Chump tumbled over itself with exciting textures and tastes and mingled flavours. The meat itself was divine, but the crab apple and tahini were surpassing neighbours.
This dish of beetroot upstaged the lot - needs to be sampled!
LM: I missed out on the dish of polenta with mushrooms and asparagus on my last visit so was excited to try it this time. Comfort food at its best, with lashings of parmesan to cut through the soft polenta and a fantastically light truffle oil to give it even more depth
Desserts:
SN: We are getting horribly addicted to this pudding - there will be weeping when it disappears. It is just astonishing. Flourless chocolate cake - once tasted never forgotten :-)
Overall
Food quality, drinks and service 5/5
Ambience 5/5
Magic 6/5 (that's allowed cos it's magic)
Ambience 5/5
Magic 6/5 (that's allowed cos it's magic)
Best Bit:
SN & LM: The whole menu was superb but we have to choose one thing.
This za'tar bread and home smoked butter - it's mind-blowing
SN & LM: The whole menu was superb but we have to choose one thing.
This za'tar bread and home smoked butter - it's mind-blowing
Summary
We love Rootdown - they treat their customers as dinner guests and the kitchen tries so very hard to surprise us with foods we think we know: so far they have always intrigued and delighted us It's up there with the most ingenious places we have visited and we'll look forward to going again. Their food is special: the quality is high because they're determined to make their mark that way. Their produce is worth all their efforts each dish has that defining feature.....even down to their own smoked butter (gorgeous)!
We love Rootdown - they treat their customers as dinner guests and the kitchen tries so very hard to surprise us with foods we think we know: so far they have always intrigued and delighted us It's up there with the most ingenious places we have visited and we'll look forward to going again. Their food is special: the quality is high because they're determined to make their mark that way. Their produce is worth all their efforts each dish has that defining feature.....even down to their own smoked butter (gorgeous)!
