CORE by Clare Smyth in London's Notting Hill, W11 has been awarded the most coveted of all accolades, three Michelin Stars, bringing the total of sites with three to 7 in the UK and Ireland.
There is a choice of two different tasting menus – ‘Core Classics’, which features dishes that chef patron Clare Smith has continually refined over the years, and ‘Core Seasons’, which sees more contemporary constructions with a luxurious edge. Alternatively, there’s the à la carte, which lists all of the dishes from both.
Smyth is one of Great Britain’s most gifted chefs and the strength of her kitchen lies in its ability to create modern dishes that deliver superb flavours and textures but in a restrained, understated style. Elegance, unfussiness and a wonderful purity are her hallmarks and the resultant dishes are unrivalled in their sophistication.
Not one to take her success for granted, Smyth constantly refines even her most well-established dishes, and the terrific wine flights bring it all together to enhance an already outstanding experience.
These are some of the Michelin Inspectors’ favourite dishes:
Isle of Mull scallop tartare with sea vegetable consommé
A divine, full-flavoured, silky diced scallop, beautifully presented on a large scallop shell and surrounded by a raised bed of seaweed. Natural aromas and flavours transport you to the sea and the light sea vegetable broth spiked with herb oil has layer upon layer of flavour.
Beef and Oyster’ – Highland Wagyu beef and Porthilly oysters
A highly refined and sophisticated dish comprising a perfectly cooked, plump oyster and melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu beef with a flavoursome jus and oyster cream. Buttery mash and a rich mix of oysters and chopped beef in a dark, sticky jus fill the oyster shell – and the oyster cracker is exquisite.
Core-teaser– chocolate, malt and hazelnut
This stunning-looking dessert might look large but it’s actually incredibly light. A play on the flavours of a Malteaser, it has a hazelnut mousse core encased in a delicate chocolate shell and is topped with a malt-flavoured creation akin to candy floss, which crunches in the mouth before melting away. An imaginative and memorable dish.
