Da Terra Revisited

This was our fourth visit to Da Terra and based on the food and service we received on saturday it has to rate as our best. Since gaining the honour of holding a Michelin Star you can clearly see how they are now pushing the boundaries with the food to an even higher level. Just in case you haven’t been yet and you really must the restaurant is situated in the Bethnal Green Town Hall Hotel and just a very short walk from Bethnal Green Tube Station. As you enter the hotel you will find the restaurant on your immediate left with the cocktail bar on the right. We arrived on saturday and were welcomed back by Chef Rafael and a couple of members of the team before enjoying a pre lunch cocktail in the bar. We then crossed the hallway and entered the restaurant where we received a delightful welcome before being escorted to what I can now say is our regular table. Once seated we noticed that that back part of the restaurant had a little make over where the round table theme has continued. Then it was nice of Rafael to come over for a quick chat and also reveal he had a couple of surprises in store for us. We then made our Tasting Menu choice by opting for our usual eleven course. The other menu is the shorter eight course. It was then nice of Manager Charlie to start us off with a complimentary glass of Rathfinny 2015 Blanc de Noirs from Sussex to enjoy with the snacks.

Rathfinny Blanc De Noirs 2015

Snacks

Now it was time begin with the fabulous Scallop / Fennel / Granny Smith which had been given a little twist with the addition of coconut which we thought really enhanced the flavour of the dish. This was followed by the amazing Stracciatella / Panzanella / Basil which on this occasion was served in a bowl and we believed added a lot more flavour. It really is surprising that just by changing the plate or bowl a dish is served in how much the flavour of the food can change.

Scallop / Fennel / Granny Smith

Stracciatella / Panzanella / Basil

Next to come was our first surprise as we were given the privilege of taste testing a New dish. It was the Mussel / Trout Roe / Elderflower and I can can honestly say it was amazing so therefore passed the test with flying colours. This was followed by The Chicken which had the addition of truffle that once again added to the fantastic flavour that already existed in this dish.

Mussel / Trout Roe / Elderflower

The Chicken

We now moved onto the bread course of Sourdough / Bone Marrow / Cultered Butter and the new addition of an Olive Oil spread. This led us to our next surprise and another New dish we had the privilege to try. The Tortellini / Duck / Wild Garlic with the addition of some Duck Charcuterie really was a taste sensation so yes another success.

Sourdough / Bone Marrow / Cultured Butter / Olive Oil

Tortellini / Duck / Wild Garlic

Duck Charcuterie

Now we moved onto a fabulous Wild Halibut / Hispi Sauerkraut / Bagna Cauda before it was time for the main course. This was the New Forest Pork / Black Beans / Farofa / Herb Bouquet which is an absolute stunning dish.

Wild Halibut / Hispi Sauerkraut / Bagna Cauda

New Forest Pork / Black Beans / Farofa / Herb Bouquet

All these dishes were matched with a delightful Portuguese Aphros Loureiro 2018 Vinho Verde. Next to come is the cheese course which is titled Romeo & Juliette a mixture of a light Goat’s Cheese with a Guava Gel. This led us onto the pre dessert of Zacapa Rum Ice Cream / Oscietra / Mole.

Aphros Loureiro 2018

Romeo & Juliette

Zacapa Rum Ice Cream / Oscietra / Mole

Now it was finally time to finish with the fantastic dessert of Sorrel / Pistachio / Acetaia San Giacomo 40 year old Balsamic. This led us to finish with coffee and Petit Fours to truly round of a fantastic afternoon culinary extravaganza.

Sorrel / Pistachio / 40 yr old Balsamic

Petit Fours

This really was a fantastic dining experience where the flavour of each dish whether old or new was sensational. If you’ve yet to visit Da Terra then you really are missing out on something special. The Latin American food with an Italian twist is to die for. I’d like to the Rafael and his team for the amazing food and to Charlie and his team for the fabulous service. I really would highly recommend a visit and I’m already making plane for my next trip to this amazing restaurant.