Summer Lunch/Montgomery

Summer Lunch

at

The Checkers on Saturday 13^th June 2015.

For the Manchester Branch's Summer lunch, we braved the rain and went to mid Wales to 'The Checkers' in the centre of Montgomery. This is a Michelin starred restaurant with rooms and old world charm. Run by the chef proprietors Stéphane Borie together with his wife Sarah and her sister Kathryn Francis, they gave us a warm and friendly welcome. We were on two tables, so as only the aperitif was included on the menu, each table had different wines.

We started off in the bar, where we had a glass of Di Maria Prosecco Doc, Famiglia Botter, Italia, with canapés of Arancini saffron and mushroom and also toasted brioche with parfait foiegras sandwich with Agen prune chutney. We knew that if these were the shape of things to come, we were on to a good thing, as they were delicious.

We moved into the dining room, where we started with a small cupful of Asparagus vellouté, topped with truffle cream and toasted hazelnuts, There were also the very tips of asparagus in the soup. For the first two courses, our table had Vouvray 2013 Sec Bel-air Domaine de la Robin 1ere Cahors. The other table had Green Lip Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Jackson Estate Malborough

Next was lightly smoked salmon with flat parsley coulis, a beautifully coloured dish. The salmon was hot smoked 'á la minute' to order,over oak chips, and was as good as it sounds. A courgette flower stuffed with crab and scallop followed with sauce Nantua, a creamy shellfish sauce made with langoustine shells. With this and the next course, our table had Domaine La Berangeraie 2009 Cuvėe Juline, whilst the other table had Macon Vergisson 2014 Domaine Guerrin et fils Les Rocher. The shellfish was excellent.

There followed a palate cleanser of Passion fruit with lime juice and coconut granite with a foam plus lime zest powder. This was quite sharp, but just what was needed.

We then went on to perfectly cooked Grilled new season Welsh Lamb, with Violette Artichoke, Aubergine purée, and a thyme and garlic jus. There was also a tiny little gem lettuce leaf, stuffed with shredded confit of lamb shoulder. With this, our table had wine from the same vineyard as the last one, but this time, Cuvée Mauvin, whist the other table had Vina Salceda Rioja Crianza 2011. No wonder Wales is famous for it's lamb! It was superb.

Next was an extra course of mango and coconut egg with French toast. This looked just like a poached egg, but was of course, sweet. Very nice, and quite unexpected. The final course was a hot Strawberry soufflé with Basil Ice cream, very light and perfectly risen, not easy to produce for so many people at once. There was also some strawberry coulis to add to that if one wished.

The meal finished with coffee and homemade Valrhona chocolates.

This was one of the best, if not the best, meals our branch has had, and certainly worth the trip. What more can I say?

E Valerie Hall                                                                                                 15.06.2015