“A tasting menu that delivered course after course of ballsy, precise cooking.”
Cuisine: Creative, Modern
Website Link: https://www.musebytomaikens.co.uk/
Overall Rating: 9/10
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Atmosphere: 9.5/10
Would I return: Yes.
What you need to know: Bar seats (facing open kitchen) on either floor is a must. As is the wine pairing. The restaurant is very well suited for a date or 2 friends.
The verdict: Situated in a quiet little mews is the magical Muse by Tom Aikens, an intimate fine dining restaurant which exceeded my expectations and wowed me with a tasting menu that delivered course after course of ballsy, precise cooking.
Favourite courses were the poppadoms made from leftover bread, the bread with cep and chicken butter (so pleasure-inducing you’ll want to snort the crumbs), and the most buttery saddleback pork with beetroot and endive – where you are first presented with a knife selection and invited to choose your weapon. Dessert – a cheffy take on a “FAB” ice lolly was also well conceived and executed – mellow fig leaf ice cream is surrounded by raspberry and topped with puffed quinoa – made to evoke memories excite tastebuds. You are sent home with pastries and jam – much appreciated the morning after!
Staff compliment your experience with a confident, personal, and knowledgeable service. Wine pairing well worth the investment. The “Chefs Counter” seats give you the opportunity to watch the theatre of the kitchen as it unfolds. During my visit Chef Tom Aikens was in the kitchen (and usually is). The experience represents the very top of a 1 Michelin Star experience – with minor tweaks a second star would be very much deserved.
A strong recommendation from me, I will be back.
Sabrina Goodlife.
