Second Visit

On the whole nothing much has changed since my last visit to The Cristal Room 6 months ago, well, except now they are bestowed with a star in the latest edition of Michelin Guide. It's well-deserved, by the way, and certainly helped their cause to become one of the hottest restaurant openings in town in recent times. 

Of course, with the menu rotation they did bring about a few new dishes which we were presented with in my second visit to the restaurant up in Gloucester Tower at The Landmark. A few amuse bouche bites to start with were cute, and I particularly like the South Asian touch with the Pie Tee with sea urchin, French apple and coffee. I love the soft airy texture with the sea urchin mousse with a touch of acidity. The Yunnan peas tartlet with Kaviari Oscietra Caviar, showcased the creativity and clever combination of Asian and Western ingredients by the team, with Roasted Geranium Leaves and Gyokuro Green Tea infused in the crispy shell. The IG-worthy presentation wouldn't hurt its course to become of the more recognizable dish at this young restaurant. 

A couple seafood courses followed, with both featuring ingredients from Brittany with bold flavor. First was the blue lobster tail was fire roasted with rhubarb tartlet and tumeric and pink pepper sabayon on the side, with a nice combination of sweetness, smokiness and exotic spices with a slight kick. The John Dory fillet which came next was prepared with an even more distinct flavor profile, cooked Meuniere style and served with smoked beetroot and barberry and watercress coulis. The main course of tender and young Aveyron Lamb from Provence gently grilled with a spice rub with cinnamon and eucalyptus leaves, and on the side, baby eggplant and olives. It's so perfectly executed. 

The unique cheese course with St Marcellin Cheese mochi and smoked vanilla that I had the last time made a return, and that was followed by a beautiful chocolate dessert with cherry sorbet and local beer cremeux as our main dessert. I enjoyed the mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairing last time and gladly did the same with an entirely different flight. The glass of Buddha Amacha infused with beetroot was a refreshing one to go with the rich John Dory fish, and I love the Barolo Chinato as the perfect pairing to the chocolate dessert and as a digestif at the end. 

More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/g4gary/albums/72177720319519005/ 

When? July 24 2024
Where? The Cristal Room by Anne Sophie Pic, Forty-Five, Level 45 Gloucester Tower, Central
Menu Highlights? Wild John Dory from Brittany, Cooked Meuniere, Smoked Beetroot, and Barberry watercress coulis
Drinks?
Champagne Billecart-Salmon "PIC" Brut
2022 COS Zibibbo in Pithos Terre Siciliane IGP 
2021 Vanguardist "V" McLaren Vale Mourvèdre, Barossa, Australia
Giuseppe Cappelano Barolo Chinato NV
Web: cristalroombyasp.com