MELT-in-the-mouth, bursting with flavour and exquisite attention to detail are the words which come to mind to describe the food served at the Michelin-star restaurant, Peel’s.
The restaurant, situated in the century-old Hampton Manor, received the prestigious Michelin star for its high-quality food and ‘original combination with some playful elements’.
The Observer’s Aisling Kiely took a trip to the restaurant to see what all the fuss is about.
Greeted with a glass of complimentary champagne on arrival, we were taken to the intimate tasting room to start our culinary experience.
Perched in front of a glass window, we sat and watched our 5-course meal being brought to life.
First on the menu to wet our appetite was a trio of dainty canapes; potted shrimp, smoked venison tartare and cheddar custard.
Next up, we were served a refreshing beetroot salad complimented by a whipped goats cheese quenelle – exactly what we needed to set ourselves for the tempting main course.
While our main course was being prepared, head chef, Rob Palmer stepped away from the heat of the kitchen to talk to us about his success.
The Castle Bromwich-born chef said: “I’m just starting to come back down to earth – but I’m confident we can push for our second star.
“Food is always evolving and we use it as an opportunity to experiment with new ideas and develop existing dishes.
“I always aim to use the finest produce to serve in the restaurant and find locally-sourced ingredients where appropriate – including freshly laid eggs from Chadwick End.”
Returning to the kitchen, he meticulously prepared our flavoursome main course.
Earthy flavours, a mixture of textures and perfectly cooked, the Beef dish was accompanied by smoky artichoke, mushrooms and parsley, finished with a rich beef sauce.
Making room for dessert, we had our sweet taste buds awakened by the Michelin-star spin on the classic apple and blackberry cheesecake – which made use of liquid nitrogen to create a sour and sharp tone to the dish.
In short, Peel’s Michelin-star restaurant truly deserves its place on the map for its world-class food and sterling service.
8th May, 2024
