We were just admiring our plates when a rich scent of truffle wafted our way. Enter: the four-cheese pizza. Brie, Comté, Gruyère, and Emmental, all melted together and topped with paper-thin shavings of truffle. It was almost too good to share – almost. As we finished the last bites, still sipping wine, anticipation built for our mains.
Then they arrived – shiny copper oval platters filled with fresh pasta. One was pillowy gnocchi topped with parmesan and fresh basil, coated in a smoky tomato cream sauce with a subtle sweetness that was moreish after just one mouthful. The other: spaghetti alle vongole, the shells wide open, the pasta delicately coated in garlic, olive oil and just a hint of chilli for a gentle kick. If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine myself on a beach in Saint-Tropez, salty breeze in my hair, forkful of this unforgettable pasta in hand.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, it did. A 700g Dover sole arrived, cooked in lightly browned butter, lemon juice, and parsley. The maître d’ deboned the fish tableside, plating each tender fillet with care, finishing it with toasted almond flakes. It melted in the mouth like the butter it was bathed in. Accompaniments included creamy potato gratin and vibrant ratatouille.
Then, tender lamb cutlets marinated in herbs, served atop soft pita slices with spiced aubergine. Perfectly pink in the centre, the lamb was delicious on its own – but paired with the aubergine spread, it was next level.
To close the evening, we cracked through the caramelised sugar top of a silky vanilla crème brûlée. The saffron milk cake was airy and rich, soaking up its fragrant, golden sauce. On top, a melting scoop of mascarpone ice cream made for the perfect, palate-cleansing finish.
La Maison Ani… we will be back, save us a table!
Photography courtesy of La Maison Ani.
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