Texture Restaurant | Aggi Sverrisson and Xavier Rousset at 34 Portman Square

Aggi Sverrisson and Xavier Rousset were head chef and head sommelier respectively under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir. It was there that they created their vision for a new restaurant where food and wine would have equal importance: the result is TEXTURE, which launched at the end of September and looks set to be a real Mecca for out and out foodies.

They confidently claim that the food will be outstanding – simple yet beautiful, but also light, healthy and with an extraordinary blend of flavours. Early reports suggest that Texture is taking the challenge directly to Heston Blumenthal of the Fat Duck.

Aggi and Xavier are without doubt a most exciting and talented duo. I believe it is the first time that a top sommelier has joined forces with a head chef in a 50:50 partnership. Xavier has obviously had a lot of fun sourcing the majority of wines from interesting and/or small producers. So here are a few lunch menu items to whet your foodie appetites:

Alsace Bacon and Ambrose Hen Egg Slow poached, crispy, watercress, tomato relish ***
Late Summer Vegetable Salad Cooked, raw, salad leaves *** Icelandic Cod Brandade, tapenade, chorizo, crispy bread ??? Cornish Skate Wing Pan-fried, orange, beetroot, caper dressing *** Black-leg Chicken Roasted leg, pearl barley, broken Ambrose hen egg *** Mediterranean Tuna Tartare, Asian flavours *** Summerset (sic) Lamb 24hour cooked shoulder, herb fregula, roasting jus *** Lancashire Old Spot Pig Crispy belly, spiced baby cabbage, turnips, cooking juices. All Dishes £8.50 each – Available at lunch time only

Texture – 34 Portman Square W1 T: 020 7224 0028

www.texture-restaurant.co.uk

Clifford Mould October 2007