maze, London

Tasting Lunch at Maze, London

Over the summer it was my boyfriend and I's 3rd year anniversary but due to busy schedules we never got to celebrate properly. So as a belated celebration (on the 3 and a half years day) he planned to take me to a 5 course tasting lunch at maze in London.

It was raining on the day but this didn't dampen our excitement. After nearly walking straight past the michelin star restaurant by Gordan Ramsay, we managed to our way  inside and it really was a different world! We were seated to our reserved white sofa corner table and served champagne whilst we browsed the tasting menu. As it was a 5 course tasting menu, we only have to make a choice out of 2 of the plates and this made it easy for us because I picked one and my boyfriend ordered the other. This meant that we got to taste every single dish on the set menu.

Each time the food arrived, I took so many pictures so that I could share them all on my blog and I can't wait for you all to drool over your keyboards as you scroll through!

Whilst we waited for our many courses to come, we were given miniature puff pastry cheese biscuits and a very unique breadstick dish, which had prawn crackers, sesame and herb biscuits, squid ink biscuits, a chocolate biscuit and white bean paste seasoned with paprike. It really just looked incredible!

Not long after, our English Breakfast starter arrived and this had to be by far the best breakfast I've ever had! It looks so amazing as it arrived to our table and after taking loads of pictures, we took a taste and it definitely surprised us both. The dippy-styled egg had beans, mushrooms, tomato and egg all stuffed into the eggshell and then was topped off with a crispy pancetta. It was hard to believe considering the size of the egg.

Following that we received our first course: I had a cured salmon with pickled onion beneath and tempura crisp and mango and wasabi balls decorated on top. Sam had octopus with tomatoes, rocket and drops of squid ink, lime and gel. As you can probably understand from the pictures, our jaws literally dropped when they arrived at the table. The presentation was so on-point and the textures of the food were the best combinations. 

Next on the menu was lobster, tiger prawn and salmon dumplings and sea bream with enoki mushroom, ginger and dashi. These dishes had an asian style to them and looked so elegant as they arrived. 

The last savoury course was pork belly and tiger prawn in a miso broth and duck breast served with romanesco and wild mushroom. My duck was such a beautiful contrast on the plate and was cooked so perfectly that the meat was tender. Sam's pork belly had a perfect crispy top over the tender meat and the broth complimented it so well. 

By this point, we were really getting quite full but desserts were next and I knew my second stomach had already kicked in. We were firstly given crumble sundaes and they were served in cute shot glasses. Then our white chocolate cheesecakes with sliced pineapple and szechuan powder arrived and it was a lot different to what I imagined. The different shapes made it look so much more interesting.

As I was so immersed in taking photographs of my dessert, we were surprised when our waiter presented us with a celebration plate to commemorate our anniversary. It was such a lovely touch from them and really made our time very special. 

We devoured our desserts and shared our mini cake as we slowly slipped into food comas. But even after that, that wasn't the end of our amazing tasting meal. We were given cute madeleines with cream and as first I didn't know whether I could eat mine, but after one bite it all disappeared before I knew it.  

The whole menu at maze was truly incredibly in terms of plating, taste and textures. I could try and begin to describe the tastes of each dish but I seriously think that its something that needs to be experienced personally! I couldn't even pick a favourite because it would be a list of them all.
We had such a wonderful time and it really was an unforgettable visit. The price of the set menu was steep but it was so worth it as a one off treat! Also going to a michelin star restaurant is unquestionably something to tick off my currently non-existent bucket list so I'm so happy we went. 

To top it all off, we also taken around the kitchen, where we got to see some of the behind-the-scenes and I got to speak to one of the chefs. 

The tasting set menu lunch was such a fun and delicious experience and I loved every moment spent there. It's a place that needs to be tried out so if you are looking for that occasion to indulge then this is the place.

If anyone has been to a Gordan Ramsay or michelin star restaurant, please do link me! I'd love to check out photos and read your reviews. 

Love, Anna x