When my friends Tobbe and Malin came to visit last week, we had some really nice dining experiences. First up was Nopi, where I went for my birthday last year.
Back then we were a larger group so we sat at a big table on the lower ground floor, whereas this time we sat up on the ground floor.
The food served at Nopi is fresh small plates with unusual flavour combinations. The main menu has three sections; vegetables, fish and meat and there is also a dessert menu. Nopi recommends three small dishes per person, so that’s what we did. We got nine different ones to share.
To start we were served lovely bread to dip in a very grassy olive oil. Really nice but I did miss the dip we got last time.
Roasted aubergine with black garlic, harissa and pine nuts. This dish was nice enough but not spectacular in any way.
The heritage carrot salad with black olives, endive and orange vinaigrette was nice and fresh with nice flavours.
The courgette and manouri fritters with lime yoghurt were nice too, but none of the vegetable dishes we tried said ‘wow’ this time around. Last time those were the best.
But then this came out and blew me away: organic prawns with fennel, feta and Pernod. The prawns were wuite hot and it was really nice with the flecks of salt feta to take the edge off the heat. Also the sauce at the bottom of the pan was delicious. One of my two favourites of the evening.
Scallops with pig’s ear and a sauce made form black beans and ginger was also really nice, although the flavours could have been a little bit stronger. And you can see yourselves that the scallops were perfectly fried. Yu-um.
Malin ate this lovely fried seabass with smoked labneh and pickled lemon when Tobbe and I had the seafood.
She also had this twice-cooked chicken with myrtle salt and chilli sauce that I had last time too. I think this is a staple on the menu and so for a reason.
Tobbe’s choice of sirloin with baby leeks and pickled ginger with coriander and chilli salsa. Nice flavours!
The second of my two favourties was this incredibly tender and flavoursome ox cheek with horseradish cream and sour cherries. Amazing!
Although we didn’t over order we were still incredibly full at the end of our meal and struggled with the last few forkfuls, so there was no way we could have dessert. Instead we went to a nice bar and cocktails – less filling that way.
Nopi 21-22 Warwick StreetLondon W1B 5NE
Scandelights 
Wish I had been a birdie on your shoulder! This is quite my favourite way of eating and all those dishes would have ‘done it’ for me! Have oft made a meal just out of interesting first courses in my favourite eating places!