Peer pressure is a terrible thing. I went back to Delamina East (review here from previously) last Saturday with our friends S&M. S is an avid follower of Nigel Noshes, and due to the 19th Century tech setup chez S&M, M is also forced to read the occasional review. They were completely horrified that I wasn’t intending to re-review the place, and I have been wrestling with the ethics of a second, proximate, review for the last few days. However, having now removed both head and stick from my bum, I couldn’t resist a second bite of the cherry.
I’m not a fan of dogs in restaurants, and I definitely think that, as in the old days of smoking, there should be a separate section for them. However, I have come to realise that we need to deal with the issue of Americans in restaurants before we get to canines. I can, at a pinch, take a large dose of anti-histamines to relieve the symptoms of a dog overdose. But tables of people who broadcast at 110db? There is no known cure. It’s a small country, chaps, and we have got used to talking to each other over small distances. Unfortunately, when you come from a place where each end of the table could be in a non-contiguous state, volume control is seemingly an issue. Let it be said that even for those around the table with super acute hearing, mutual comprehension was not a hallmark of the evening…
Anyhow, my first encounter with S that evening was not to thank me for recommending such a fabulous restaurant, but to complain about the state of the loo. Could have been soap or loo roll or both. I was zoning out a tiny bit at this stage (and I fear she will be putting me right in about 10 minutes), but I think this is probably a reminder that it is always worth bringing a pack of tissues to any restaurant you visit!
We had a different server on this occasion, and whilst she did bring not the laugh out loud hilarity to the meal we experienced on our previous visit, she was very, very pleasant and helpful.
For Brunch, before, the menu consisted of a large number of very small plates, which suited us very well. This menu (while “designed for sharing”), is still a bit more starter/main/pudding. And I would say, overall, stick to the earlier part of the menu.
Nothing on the starter side was anything less than excellent. The cauliflower (Medium, naturally, after our last visit) was great. The Tahini and Zhoug was absolutely outstanding: What a combination! The Hummus also was great, and an unexpected left-field favourite were the mushrooms, which were exceptional.
Mrs Nigel has hoped to have the whole Sea Bass last time we came, but it is not on the brunch menu, so that had to be rectified, which she was very happy about. The chicken thigh was (unlike at Imad), more than one thigh (I hated having to ask), and was really tasty, the one main I would recommend ordering. But the Koftas were dry and pretty inedible. I wanted to leave one to show that we were not happy, but M, ornery bastard that he is, swallowed it whole as soon as I said that.
We were pretty full, but a pudding was called for, which was supposed to a cheesecake, but was actually Shredded Wheat topped with Philadelphia. I was (reluctantly) allowed one spoonful and rather enjoyed it, but that is because it was anything but sweet, much to the chagrin of the intended recipients.
The hot drinks are a bit of a rip off. I had a Turkish Coffee, which had very little coffee, and came in a wholly inappropriate cup. But M had some sort of herbal tea, which, gram for gram, worked out slightly more expensive than gold.
Apart from being a bit loud, and a little challenged in a few areas, it was excellent, and well worth a (re)visit. We are off to Covent Garden next to try out that branch to see how nit picky we can be there.
For my overall conclusion, go back to my last review! Might drop the service and food to a 4.5, but overall, still great
