Rommel's review of Launceston Place

Launceston Place has been on my list of restaurants to visit for ages, so when my parents visited from New Zealand I thought this would be the perfect time. They are not used to fine dining but they were made to feel completely at ease the second they walked through the door.

The restaurant has such an elegant feel and perfect for a long lunch. The staff were immediately friendly and curteous. Whilst my parents went for £20 lunch menu (amazing value) I opted for the dinner menu as scallops are my absolute favourite. But before I get to the started, let me say how beautiful the canapes of Devilled Potato Crisps tied with a Launceston Place bow were, and perfect to nibble on whilst discussing the menu, such a huge amount of choice to discuss. Then after ordering, and asking the waitor for his opinion, and he knew the tastes of every dish, we were given an amuse bouche. A lovely little surprise, so full of flavour and gets the taste buds prepared.

My starter was scallops – two of the biggest scallops i have ever seen, perfectly cooked and wonderfully seasoned. My dad opted for Duck egg on toast with Somerset truffle. The egg was just soft enough and the truffle sauce and shavings were so delicious and well match. My mum went for the Isle of Wight cappuccino which is the most inventive soup with a lovely beautiful rich tomato flavour and a herb foam on top.

For main course, again all absolutely perfect and such a lovely speed of service. whilst the restaurant was busy, not once did we feel rushed or that we had been forgotten. We all opted for different dishes again. I went for Denham Castle lamb, my parents went for Cornish mackerel and Duck leg confit. All great sized portions for a lunch and the flavours were extradorinary.

Then another little treat followed after we had ordered our dessert (again i went from the dinner menu – well worth it). A pre-dessert of Pimms and Lemonade Granita, wonderfully British summer.
my parents shared the apple tart with home-made clotted cream. A whole tart to share, served at the table sliced by the waitor. It was all too much for them but the waitors were more than happy to box it up for us to enjoy at home. My dessert, i opted for the Chefs Signature of rice pudding souffle with home made raspberry rippled ice-cream. The waitor helped me by popping the souffle and adding the ice-cream. It was gorgeous, the wonderful end to the meal. Which i thought was over, however, with our coffee they brought over French madelenes with vanilla cream.

I will definitely be returning to Launceston Place, the lunch menu is such wonderful value that i'm sure it won't be too long until i revisit. Although i will make sure i go again in an evening for a special occasion to have the tasting menu with wine pairings – we did not get to have enough input from the Sommelier – although the help that he did give us regarding champagne on arrival (a must) a to pair a glass of wine for the main, was spot on.

Highly recommend.