Main for lunch was a braised ox cheek and red wine – from Argentina and impeccably served up in London
LONDON LUNCH: Founded by celebrity-chef Jamie Oliver years ago to help unemployed young people into work, Fifteen restaurant is still going strong after all these years and they serve some nostalgic flavours built on seasonality and innovation at this fine dining concept tucked away behind the bustle of City Road in Shoreditch only five-minute walk away from Old Street Tube Station. My visit ended up as a long London lunch.
The Menu changes
The Fifteen menu changes regularly. Our choice was Chef´s Menu started with Burrata, roasted Quince, Treviso, lemon thyme and honey. The gin cured trout was excellent. Third came as ricotta & sweet onion Ravioli with smoked pumpkin and pistachio before the main appear on the table, a six hour braised ox cheek served with roast celeriac purèe and pickles. What a treat the meat was. Not to forget, the dessert we were served Vanilla panacotta with a French dessert wine. Cost-wise, it´s £60 for the five courses menu. Yet, you can have a daily plate of lunch special for just £15
Good service from international staff
Excellent. My company at this lunch was the famous Swedish food writer Mia Gahne. She fully agreed the perfect taste, flavours and the creativity performed by the chefs. Basically, we loved all five dishes and voted the Malbec red wine Amalaya 2014 from Argentina on top of the table. So was the service from the international staff. Food and wine were superb – the long lunch excellent – and our score topped up to at least Fifteen stars. To be honest, a small setback to be said: The well-known food saint and proprietor of Fifteen wasn´t spotted.
On the other hand, if you prefer vegetarian food in London, feel free to try Kimchi Vegan Yes in Shoreditch, Hackney
Fifteen Restaurant: 15 Westland Place, Hoxton, London N1 7LP
Get there: Old Street Tube station
