Vinothec Compass, London

9.03.2015

The sounds of mixing golf and gastronomy seemed like a brilliant idea and it was. I never actually swung a golf club before and the disastrous thought of missing my first hit haunted me. I am not the most sporty person, and thankfully no one laughed at me because I hit every balls at the right direction and distance. Reluctant to think that I am actually better than I thought, maybe it is time to go for a golf course? Before that, we need food...

I have eaten at many places, but definitely not in a restaurant overlooking over a golf course. Vinothec Compass is co-founded by wine extraordinarie's Arnaud Compas and Keith Lyons, menu overseen by two Michelin trained experience chefs Jordi Rovira Segovia's and Daniel Rodriguez Navas. They've set to change the experience of golfing at this new state of the art 60 bays driving range (featuring a panoramic view of the Thames and Canary Wharf at North Greenwich) to including a gastronomy journey. What's more impressive, it has a cellar boosting more than 600 wines emphasising on the taste and not the price tag or region itself.

Pol Roger 2004

Pol Roger Reserve

Grilled Chorizo

Grilled Artichokes

Before swinging the golf club, we sipped on flutes of Pol Roger champange and snacking on some pintxos (chorizo and artichokes). Can't help to imagine, so close to the city and there's an unnoticed place to play golf. The Greenwich Peninsula golf driving range host 60 bays, with private seating and entertainment on offer.

Champagne over golf

Blogger Vi Vian playing golf

Blogger May from Eat Cook Explore, sheiss definitely an expert and swing her club fiercely. Meanwhile, Vi Vian a novice hitting her first golf ball.

Menu

Baby  Squid, Tomato and Coriander

Chardonnay, Château Burgozone 2012, Bulgaria

After some golfing fun, we went on a Catalan influenced journey of small plates paired with a selection of wines. Watching the chef in action with a simple flash cooked baby squid complimented with a ripe skinned tomato, garlic and olive oil with a small piece of coriander. The baby squid was cooked perfectly and the garlic went so well with it. Paired brilliantly with a Bulgarian Chardonnay 2012, Château Burgozone. It was light and crisp with a note of apple and pear.

Smoked Trout Salad

Volubilia 2013, Morocco

Back to the table, a smoked trout salad with fish roe, olives, asparagus, pea shoots and labneh stuffed in grilled leek. A lot was happening on this dish, maybe a bit too much. Paired with a wine from a country that I did not know it produces wine. A lovely pink hue Moroccan rosé, Volubilia 2013 with a slight tannin and fruity taste of wild strawberries. Goes very well with the oily smoked trout and it cuts through the saltiness of the olives.

Suckling Pig, Piquillo

Convent des Jacobins 2005, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The crackling on the suckling pig was amazing, thin and crispy with a juicy layer of fat and meat falling apart served with apple and piquillo pepper drizzled with a balsamic glaze, Hard to resist just to have the piece of pork in one mouthful when the flavour complimented each other with an old world wine. A 2005 Bordeaux Grand Cru from Convent des Jacobins, Saint-Emilion. Wonderfully aged textured wine with a plum flavour.

Cod Confit, Romesco Sauce

Dido 2013, Montsant

A playful dish of cod confit with a subtle and nutty romesco sauce. The white fish was beautifully firm and still retaining its juiciness with a hint of salt running through it. Washing down with a Catalan blend of Macabeu and Grenache, Dido 2013 from Monstant. A elegant full bodied wine with a tropical fruits palate and a lush, lovely finish.

Longhorn Onglet

Alpha Estate 2010, Greece

Star of the evening, the Longhorn Onglet. Onglet is a cut of beef that is not used widely and served rare with a shallot of its juicy seeping out, potato slices and a jus. The Onglet was a perfection, not easy when you have to prepare and serve for 30 diners simultaneously. Paired with not what was originally on the menu, ad-hoc Greek Xinomavro 2010 from Alpha Estate. The future of Greece may be uncertain, but the future looks set fair for Greek wines.

Vinothec Cheesecake

Domaine Sainte Lucie 1971, France

The disappointment of the sumptuous quantity of the de-constructed cheesecake served in an espresso cup made with Brillat-Savarin. Presentation wise was not the best, it tasted more exciting on the palate and I enjoyed it despite the 75% fat content in the cheese. All is well, I can never resist cheese and paired with a Riversaltes 1971 from Domaine Sainte Lucie. It was a taster menu we sampled, in respect your meal would be a bigger portion than the photos.

Vinothec Compass is a place to for celebratory golfing experience if you managed to swing perfectly everytime, followed by matching food and wine.  My only complain is the location being on the Greenwich peninsular, which is a tad far for me. Otherwise, there is no where else in London where you can find such a unique golf and gastronomy journey together.

Score: 3.5/5
Price: £30-40/person

I was invited to review.

Click to add a blog post for Vinothec Compass on Zomato

http://wwww.vinotheccompass.com

0 comments :

foo

Post a Comment