The Goring had not originally been on my itinerary for London, but after doing some research, I decided to add it. I am so very glad I did.
Knowing that I would still be a little jet-lagged, I scheduled an earlier dinner. This meant I got to the Goring Hotel before the restaurant was opened. I was escorted to the bar while my coat was checked. After I was settled in with a glass of wine in hand, a tag was delivered to me so I could collect my coat later in the evening.
The bar was busy and people watching was fun. After a little while, the restaurant opened and someone came to escort me into the dining room. I admit, at first, I was a little intimidated. While I was dressed nicely, I felt almost underdressed for the venue. However, the staff made me feel welcome and were all attentive.
The amuse-bouche that came out was delicious. It was a light little bite of mushroom and cheese in a puff pastry. Then came the Cumbrae oysters. I’ve said it before – England does seafood right. These were incredible. The shallot vinegar was the perfect pairing with the juicy, briny oysters.
The next course was a roasted Orkney scallop. The vadouvan spice, William’s pear, and squash complimented the perfectly cooked scallop.
For my main, I went with the Rhug Estate venison loin served with BBQ quince, kohlrabi, and radish. The venison was done just right. It was tender and succulent. As a side, I ordered wilted greens. This was the only dish I did not care for during the meal. The greens were tough and hard to eat. I actually gave up on trying to cut them and left the dish mostly uneaten.
After the main came the cheese course. A trolley of primarily English cheeses was wheeled to my table for me to select from. A few moments later I had a lovely plate of English cheeses, honey, crackers, and jam. The Goring seems to focus on local providers and they are well highlighted here.
A complimentary close to the meal was delivered to my table consisting of two sweet bites. One was fruit-based and the other chocolate. It made for the perfect ending to the meal before I headed back to my hotel for the evening.
If you have the opportunity to dine at The Goring, do so. The staff is fantastic. The food is amazing. You’ll enjoy every moment.
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