Entrée

Claire V. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

My parents are a tough crowd. I know this, I grew up with them. So, when they're impressed by a restaurant, someone's doing something right.

Enter, Entrée, in Clapham Junction. Apparently it's been open for almost a year but having moved from the area I'd somehow missed it.

The restaurant, at the top of Battersea Rise, is relatively small, with a cool little cocktail bar downstairs and a Manhattan Bistro feel to it. What really makes it stand out from other eating places in Clapham is head chef Omar Palazzolo's CV, which includes some top restaurants including Le Gavroche and Nobu.

Food was, for the most part, excellent.

We were pleasantly surprised by a carrot soup amuse bouche. The soup was good, although the presentation was a bit under par.

Most of our group opted for the scallop and crab lasagne, with chive buerre blanc to start. This was one of the best starters I've had in a long time. Full of flavour, rich but not too heavy. My sister opted for grilled mackerel with fennel remoulade and orange glaze. This was well cooked and fresh tasting.

A main course of hake, mange tout and courgettes with sauce vierge, was beautifully presented. Fish was perfectly cooked and the flavours nicely balanced.

The cumbrian chicken breast, enoki mushrooms wrapped in bacon, Jersey Royals and corn purée was also excellent, with very tender chicken and the unusual enoki mushrooms adding a point of interest.

Pudding was a mixed bag. I loved the sound of the rhubarb bakewell tart but unfortunately it was really disappointing. It was very stodgy and had a weird savoury taste to it, as though it had taken on cooking smells in the kitchen. The flavour of rhubarb didn't come through at all. Nil points. The sticky fig and ginger pudding was excellent though, very moreish.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Service is top notch, the wine list was reasonable and the food (rhubarb bakewell aside) fantastic. Will definitely be going back.