Xen
Google
We had three dishes served to us first, they were all an exploration of flavours and textures:
The dashi, ponzu and Radish was Punchy, sharp and crisp
The charcoal, squash and yoghurt was Bold with a mild centre
The mushroom, barley and walnut was Crunchy, earthy and crunchy in texture with a pleasantly earthy aftertaste
The milk bread with cultured butter was the next dish served to us, the bread was warm, seedy and inviting with a soft, pillow-y texture and the cultured butter was cool with a slightly tangy undertone which brought out the flavours in the bread
The main dishes and drinks were then brought out in this order:
Dish #1 and drink #1:
The tofu, turnip and shimeji dish was compromising of chewy mushroom, delicate and subtle turnipthat elevated the textures of the melt in your mouth tofu with a crispy but light exterior which which was topped with an earthy sharp, smoky and pleasantly bitter Kimchi dashi broth
Paired with a drink with a citrus-y aromatics that was sharp and zesty in flavour.
Drink #2:
We were then served an alcohol free apricot liqueur that was mellow, lightly sweet and slightly floral in taste.
Dish #2:
The sweetcorn, chili and black sesame dish was creamy, crunchy and garlicky with a mild but flavourful chilli punch and a delicate and easy to palete base that made the whole dish warm and comforting to digest
Drink #3:
It was an in-house drink made from their own spices with a spicy aromatic that makes the tumeric the star that gives a gentle tingling sensation to your throat, making you feel like you have cleansed your tastebuds. It also provides a gentling of the gut, making it easier to digest more.
Dish #3:
The squash, Thai green curry, shallot and tamarind dish was the third served and the squash was sweet and extremely tender -- the thai green curry was smooth and had a spicy kick, the tamarind was spiced and fruity and the rice cracker was light and salty when combined they all harmonise flawlessly to create a flavourful and well balanced dish.
Drink #4:
The green stuff drink was served to us made from a variety of different greens. It had a natural yet perfume like aroma but a mellow yet bitter taste to it.
Dish #4:
The tomato, tapioca and wild garlic dish consisted of a tomato that had a fresh and natural flavour to it with a gentle and floral undertone from the wildflowers that was amplified by the strong yet slightly chewy garlic and the acidic base to dish.
Drink #5:
The fifth drink had a bold and full bodied aroma. With a rich, slightly bitter and smoky taste to it.
Dish #5:
Our fifth dish was the watermelon, rice and furikake dish: The watermelon was firm, smoky and charred with a dark,rich sauce and a creamy yet light and crunchy rice it was complimented with a salty and savoury furikake topping.
The main dishes and drinks were followed up by a sweeter selection, served as follows:
Drink #6:
The cherry truffle drink had a sweet cherry and vanilla aroma it tasted mild and fruity, it was easy to drink and smooth.
Dish #6:
The cherry and chocolate dish was made up of a mousse that was mild, fluffy and airy it made a lovely base for the tart cherry sauce and the chocolate underneath it was crunchy, mellow and sweet.
Drink #7:
The peaches drink had a delicate and subtle flavour that really leads way to the carbonation of the drinks themselves.
Dish #7:
The pear, amazake, elderflower and ginger dish had an ice cream made a wonderfully mellow base for the crunchy ginger pieces and the wafers sat atop the ice cream melted into your mouth to merge with the dish as a whole. The berries in the sauce added a welcoming tang to the whole dish as it was smooth but crunchy.
We were served petit fours also in 3 different flavour varieties; a soft to touch bitter jasmin and mandarin jelly, a crunchy, spicy and cocoa rich gochujang and sea salt brownie and a high quality matcha and blackberry chocolate which had an amazing snap and earthy strong matcha paired with tart and refreshing blackberry.
Overall, I'd say land is a multi sensory meal - it's a must visit at least once in your life!
