Last weekend I met up with my fellow Scandi friend Malin in Parson’s Green. I was rather tired this Sunday and it wasn’t until we walked past the restaurant in question that I remembered I really wanted to try this newly opened eatery. Claude’s Kitchen is situated on top of the champagne bar Amuse Bouche and has the same relaxed ambiance as the floor below. The decor matched the atmosphere with its mismatched wooden tables, stripped wooden floors and thick red and white napkins.
Both Malin and I decided to have two starters each. It was a warm day and the main courses was a little bit on the heavy side.
But first came the delicious bread and soft whipped butter. I like restaurants that take the bread serious. First impressions and all that.
We had the same starter to start; the variation of asparagus. It consisted of both fried and raw shavings of green asparagus, saffron mayonnaise, goat’s curd and sorrel and was utterly delicious.
Malin’s second dish was fried mackerel with pickled vegetables and grapes. Pretty as a picture and very tasty too.
My rabbit and chorizo with beetroot and hazelnuts was lovely too. The chorizo was of the meaty variety, packed with flavour. The rabbit was well-cooked but unfortunately on the bone, which proved tricky to eat when it was coloured dark purple from the beetroot. Otherwise I really liked the beetroot soup in this dish.
We really enjoyed the food and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The only thing I found a bit strange with our service was that all the dishes arrived almost at once. At first I thought it was because we came in late (after 3pm) and the kitchen was about to close, but when we got the pudding menu the kitchen seemed to have all the time in the world so that didn’t make sense. Probably just a communication error.
I will definitely come back and don’t be surprised if I become a regular; Claude’s Kitchen is after all only 10 minutes walking distance from the flat.
Amuse bouche | 51 Parsons Green Lane SW6 4JA | 02073 718 517