The Clove Club
We started our experience in The Clove Club in a slightly awkward way. Running late (consequence of cramming 4 restaurant visits in a weekend), breathlessly taking off our coats, scarves, gloves and jumpers, passing through blue-tiled open kitchen, we were introduced to the chefs, who greeted us placidly and then asked if we wanted a photo with the kitchen by overly-considerate waitress; Deciding to be polite, we said ‘oh yes’, arranging ourselves stiffly near the chefs.
What’s the matter you may ask? We’ve seen you taking photos with the kitchen, not once, twice, but many times.
The truth is despite our habit of taking photos with the kitchen and chefs, we would normally do this at the end of the meal since firstly we don’t want to disturb the procession of the professional kitchen which we know too well how at times can be fast-paced and heated; secondly we only want to take photos when the meal wins us over. Call us selective.
We were then led to our table which overlooks both the dining hall and kitchen. Ace!
Soon we realised that our worry is not at all necessary.
By the time the Orkney scallop dish arrived we were in euphoria. ‘That’s the most delicious scallop I’ve ever eaten’ I exclaimed! So fresh that I could taste North sea. Prior to that I had just declared the thinly-crunchy Pink Fir potato chips served with hey smoked trout tartare are the best potato chip I’ve ever tasted.
The sardine sashimi is again a topper. So neatly presented over origami plate and tasted almost un-sardine but more like the leaner otoro.
The pre-dessert made with Japanese and Naples citrus fruits, deceivingly ‘sgroppino’-like but so much lighter and bitingly refreshing.
So a happy ending: it was then we warmly stepped towards the kitchen uninvited, asking shamelessly if we could have another photo, adding ‘we are now convinced, thank you so much for a great dinner!’
Only minus point, the chef owner Issac Mchale was not present; but then tonight when customers went to our own Rossi, they would not find their chef Felice. Just like us, they might feel slightly in loss, but then gathered their smile again.
… so long as it’s a wonderful dinner with finest execution by a great team.
