After the grimmer than grim effort at Waterloo Brasserie, I'm pleased to say that my faith in soupe de poisson has been almost instantly restored. The example I had at the quirky Queen's Head & Artichoke just off Regents Park was among the best I've had, certainly outside France. The soup was gloriously warm, both in temperature and in colour, the saffron not overpowering, the fish base long and satisfying and the pre-loaded rouille and Gruyere toasts just the ticket. See? It's not that hard...
Other highlights from this long and slightly boozy Sunday lunch included an immensely satisfying plate of roast beef that only suffered through a slight gravy shortage, a fish tank in the upstairs loo and a well-priced wine list that boasted some very entertaining three-adjective descriptions. All of which I've completely forgotten. The roast, incidentally, included some of the finest roast potatoes I have ever eaten.
Highly recommended.
Queen's Head & Artichoke, 30-32 Albany Street, London NW1 4EA 020 7916 6206
I always think the Queens Head deserves more plaudits than it generally gets. So I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed it.
Posted by: Silverbrow | 23/01/2008 at 10:02 PM
Soup is such a difficult entity to match with wine. Liquid pared with liquid...(!)
Posted by: Douglas | 08/02/2008 at 03:31 PM