The Petersham on a sunny Sunday lunchtime – a special occasion.
We were seven, two families celebrating a double birthday, one in each family. Tipped off about the double birthday, they had kindly given us the best table in the house.
Our table was at one o clock. By one thirty the place was completely full – it was apparent we had been wise to book well ahead.
We pushed the boat out. Montagny Premiere Cru to start, Mercury 2007 (Faively, Riversniffers’ favourite Burgundy shipper) to follow.
Four had oysters to start, and three had pidgeon and sweetbreads.
Our main courses were two roast beef, two guinea fowl and three sea bass. Mr Riversniffer had the roast beef. Pink, accompanied by a wonderful horseradish sauce and proper, perfect roast potatoes (not dunked in semolina to crisp them up).
The room is elegant, reminiscent of say the Savoy in the fifties (that’s last century for any youngsters reading this). The service is urbane, correct, flawless. And the cooking is bang up to date. All the main course were pronounced delicious.
Then the puddings arrived.
Here are some examples:
Apple Financier
Vanilla Ice Cream
Rice Pudding with Prunes and Armagnac
And coffee to finish:
With lovely chocolates of course...
Three hours had flown by very enjoyably – it was nearly four o clock when we asked for the bill.
Ah, the bill. Including pre-dinner drinks, service and lots of the aforementioned Burgundy, it came to £66 per head. Not cheap – maybe it’s a good thing that birthdays come but once a year.
But nobody said perfection comes cheap. And the Petersham on a Sunday lunchtime is as near perfection as makes no difference.
You owe it to yourself – but do book ahead.
The Petersham,
Nightingale Lane,
Richmond,
TW10 6UZ
Tel: (restaurant) 020 8939 1084
