Petrus

All the drama of the Gordon Ramsay-Marcus Wareing relationship aside, I was excited to try the newly relocated Petrus, just a stones throw away from its previous location.

It has all the trappings of a team pitching at the Michelin star market. The decor is all neutrals and red, with an amazing cylindrical wine store dominating the centre of the room. Staff are completely charming and relaxed. We started with interestingly flavoured popcorn nibbles (lemon and pepper or barbeque) and excellent bread.

A richly flavoured amuse bouche of onion veloute followed:

Roast curried pollock fillet with braised lentils and cauliflower soup:
Crab and salmon cannelloni:
Pan fried sea trout:
Boiled beef cheek in consomme:

Although they lacked the bon bon trolley (seriously, an entire trolley from which you could select from a variety of differently flavoured bon bons -how amazing is that?) that I loved when it was Petrus at the Berkeley, the puddings were the stars. I wanted every single one on the menu. Spying on other diners, we knew that they were all gorgeously presented. Here we have spiced toffee apple which was served with a flourish at the table. Beautifully spiced, maybe a touch too sweet or could have done with a smidgen more of the sage yoghurt parfait, but ultimately, divine:

And the star turn was the Chocolate bomb - the house signature dessert. It arrives as a perfect chocolate dome cushioned in a pillow of white mousse. Hot chocolate sauce is drizzled over the dome so that it elegantly collapses, revealing it's centre of milk ice cream and honeycomb. Puddings like this can sometimes tickle the visual senses and leave the tastebuds wanting. This however, was amazing.

With coffee came the usual extras, this time armagnac ice cream balls served in silver bowls and sitting in tendrils of dry ice.

In the foreground, 72% chocolate thins that came wrapped and placed in individual slots in a gorgeous wooden drawer. In the background, a whole bowl of chocolate covered almonds :)

Should you still be hungry after all of that, something to take home with you for later:

Pierre Koffmann Restaurant on the Roof, Selfridges

From the Selfridges website: 'Pierre Koffmann Pop Up Restaurant. Legendry French chef Pierre Koffmann’s pop–up restaurant ‘Pierre Koffmann Restaurant on the Roof at Selfridges’ has caused so much excitement in the capital that it has been extended until Friday 27 November. The original plan was for Koffmann and his team to cook in the ‘pop-up’ restaurant on the roof of iconic Selfridges for the six days of the festival from the 8th-13th October. A fortnight ago however, due to overwhelming demand, that date was extended by one week. Now, with demand showing no sign of dropping off, Koffmann has surprised organisers by agreeing to give people nearly two more week of his fabulous cooking in what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about culinary events of 2009! Selfridges Food and Restaurants director Ewan Venters says: “Selfridges is thrilled to be a part of the London Restaurant Festival’s signature events. I am overwhelmed by the response to one of the greatest chefs of our time returning to the kitchen. Koffmann will be joined in the 80-cover restaurant by members of his original culinary brigade, including Tom Kitchin, Eric Chavot, Tom Aikens, Raphael Duntoye, Helena Puolakka and William Curley, now all highly-reputed head chefs in their own right The Restaurant will operate Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. '

Amuse-bouche: Carrot and Coriander

Pan Fried Foie Gras

Creviche of Scallop

Challan's Duck Roasted with Herbs and Spices

The signature Pig's Trotter

Apple Tart

Chocolate Fondant

Petits Fours