North Picadilly. In case you were wondering. Which to me is a bit silly, but hey, Nopi it is, with none other than Yotam Ottolenghi driving it. If you haven’t been to either Ottolenghi or Nopi, you’ve no idea what you’re missing. I’ve written gleefully on Ottolenghi and now I shall attempt to write about North Picadilly, a globally inspired tapas-style restaurant just off Regent Street. The last time I went was during my food detox, so could only watch my friend eating what only looked and smelt like the worst temptation in the world, but now I was going to have my revenge – I will order that very dish and devour it with much gusto.
One is advised that 3 dishes per person is an ample enough meal and after ordering, you’re told that dishes will arrive as and when they’re ready, although as and when the kitchen pleases seemed to have been a more fitting explanation.
Broccolini
Barramundi
Quail
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We were the first people in the restaurant with no other tables in sight. The Broccolini with chilli and skordalia came in about 10-15 minutes and the rest came 40 minutes later. That by any standard is a mighty fail! Nevertheless, the broccolini with the dried chillies and the garlicky mash was a simple and fresh appetiser, and would have been great with the other dishes if they all showed up on time. The Barramundi, salsify, peas, Chinese sausage did, however make up for part of the waiting time. Even if the vegetables are out of season, it’s a winner especially with the drizzle of curry oil. Miso quail, grapes, verjuice and honey was by far one of the most tastebud buzzing dishes I’ve had in a while. There’s saltiness, sweetness, tanginess, pungency….could you want anything else (maybe chilli, but not every dish is perfect!) Along with the grapes are tiny little onions that along with the chives add an lovely and light pungency. And as for the miso – almost anything cooked with miso is a dish worth eating, this one went even further.
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Chocolate and Hazelnut Slice, Mahlab, Cherries. Surprisingly light and rich at the same time, what made this dish special was the Mahlab ice cream – Mahlab is a spice made from the seeds taken from the cherry kernels. I found the taste to be reminiscent of light coconut oil, but only more aromatic.
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Nopi, I will be back! Just hope I don’t have to order my food a day in advance!
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Overall experience: 5
Food: 7
Recommend you go: 7
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