Spring Dining at Brasserie 108 with Jo Good

On this Wednesday night, I was invited as the guest of my great friend, Jo Good, one of the capital’s most coveted and in-demand presenters and fashion influencers. I am both in awe and beguiled by my friend’s energy and passion for her work, and when we get together, it’s guaranteed to be an evening of non-stop chat, laughter, and really good food.

Firstly, let me introduce you to Brasserie 108, and if you haven’t yet visited, this is one to add to the list. It’s nestled in the heart of Marylebone – one of capital’s most exclusive enclaves. It also happens to be part of the impeccable Marylebone Hotel; a real gem of a place, offering a warm welcome, and the perfect meeting point in the heart of central London.

Outside is the place to be when the sunshine makes an appearance, and Brasserie 108 has one of the most sought-after outside terraces in London – the quintessential spot for alfresco dining. However, I must add that dining inside is just as enticing, with an elegantly designed space, replete with plush burgundy seating, ornate mirrors and beautiful parquet, courtesy of interior designer, Alexander Waterworth. It’s a chic affair whichever seat you take at the restaurant.

Jo and I were booked to sample the new spring menu, which offers an extensive array of brasserie classics, including Risotto with garden peas and asparagus, British lamb rump, Haddock and chips, as well as organic salmon and salads. Before I even glanced at the menu, Jo was telling me about the excellent fish and chips and their famous crispy batter, which was making the choice of my entrée that much easier, I have to say. It’s unashamedly my all-time favourite meal, so other options – while deliciously tempting – never stood a chance.

So, what did we order?

Devon Crab Crumpet, brown shrimp, kohlrabi, apple

A decadently topped crumpet sounded like a too-good-to-be-true starter; after all, crumpets – while delicious – are mainly a vehicle for an indulgence of butter and not much else, so spotting a dish topped with my favourite Devon Crab sounded right up my street.

I was presented with a generous abundance of sweet, flaky crab, alongside savoury brown shrimp, complemented by tart, crunchy apple and a well-thought through addition of Kohlrabi which offered great texture – there wasn’t a morsel left on the plate.

Superfood Spinach Salad

If you’re a regular visitor to Plate & Place you would have noticed that salads rarely make an appearance in my reviews, so it won’t surprise you to know this was Jo’s healthy order, and certainly not mine – although I’ve been known to order the occasional salad during the warmer months.

This superfood spinach salad – bountiful on its arrival – was topped with a protein-rich sprinkling of chia seeds, edamame, sesame and chilli. Admittedly, I didn’t try the dish myself, but my friend certainly gave it the thumbs up. If I was to order this dish, I would add a side order of Crispy Tiger Prawns with spicy cocktail sauce, which was another dish I was almost tempted by.

Fried fillet of Haddock, pea puree, tartare sauce and chips

The promise of crispy fried fish and chips was too good to pass up, and Jo’s rave reviews earlier meant this dish was – of course – my instant entrée of choice.

The haddock arrived, a crispy golden brown and practically overflowing off the plate. Inside, a pillow-soft, milky centre of the freshest haddock fillet – sweet, creamy and melt in the mouth. This magnificent piece of fish was sat of a bed of warm, pea puree with its sweet and earthy notes which complement the fish so well. The chips – fluffy on the inside with a delectably crunchy outer coating – were gobbled down quicker than any other element of the meal.

If you’re looking for a classic fish and chips – this one is hard to beat. Over the course of the meal, I even surprised myself with my restraint as I resisted my usual habit of dousing the fish and chips in vinegar – which admittedly, I have a frequent habit of doing. The dish was tasty enough on its own.

Roasted fillet of organic Salmon, tenderstem broccoli, hollandaise

My delightful friend always chooses the healthier option –something I rarely do, but this dish was one that I would have gladly ordered myself. As soon as our waiter mentioned the salmon would be cooked, leaving a slightly pink centre, hinted to us as to just how good the fish would be.

The salmon arrived with a pleasing char on the outside, giving a slight crispiness to the outer texture, inside revealing a blush pink centre. A decadently rich and velvet-soft hollandaise was the perfect sauce accompaniment, alongside a portion of crisp, fresh broccoli.

Classic Lemon meringue pie, clotted cream ice cream, raspberries

There’s nothing quite like the lip-smacking zest you get from a good Lemon Meringue Pie. Often, you’ll find that one component of the dessert will be lacking – not here, you’ll be pleased to know.

First off, the delightful buttery pastry had the ideal amount of ‘crumble’. The Lemon curd topping was both tangy and deliciously creamy. The crowning of meringue, with that heavenly marshmallow consistency, made it a winner of a dessert in our eyes. It’s also great to share if you’re full after the savoury feast and just want a little something of the sweet variety.