So, here is my first restauraunt review and to be truthful it is my first experience of French dining (well Belgian really). I have been
quite absorbed into reading about and playing with food of late, borderline obsesion really which will come as no surprise to those who know me well. (I am sort of an obsessed type, it is only the nature of the obsessions which comes as a surprise).
So here goes:
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I know that Chambar occasionally gets hammered on online reviews for its service. I paid my first visit last night, the last evening of Dine Out 2007.
Perhaps we were lucky. Despite arriving 15 minutes before our reservation the two of us were seated immediately and made to feel welcome. First surprise.
As my dining companion is pregnant and I rarely drink neither of us ordered alcohol. I had expected a bad attitude in return but we were blessed with a very lovely server, I believe his name was Ben. There was no attitude whatsoever.
There was good timing between courses and the plating was splendid. For an appetizer my companion ordered the butternut squash and apple soup with creme fraiche. Wonderfully light and very nicely spiced. Just one spoonful for me and I was longing for more. I had the skewered prawns (I'm sorry but I did not take notes as to the names of the dishes nor the subtle details) and they were solid though I longed for the soup.
For the main course we both ordered the Truitte aux almondes. Beautiful and for me the first few bites were highly flavourful and really quite exceptional. Though this feeling did not last throughout the process of eating the whole piece of fish it was a very nice dish. Although I am a big eater and am never satisfied with portions my dining companion was more than satisfied as she slid half of her fish over to me once I had finished.
At this point, while awaiting the arrival of dessert I felt a slight high that I might normally associate with mild drunkeness and this sensation only confirmed that I was enjoying a good meal.
The finale was a bit of an event for me as I had not eaten a sugary dessert for 15 years. We both orderd the Belgian waffle with vanilla-bean ice cream. Let me say right off that the presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Hestitantly but with no small amount of anticipation I started with the waffle and it was fantastic. I savoured the waffle, the ice cream, the chocolate and the other small elements and fell into a quiet reverie which concerned my companion. There was no need for her concern.
Our server at several tmes during our meal showed a warmth that surprised me and which really topped off the evening for me. We retired home and I enjoyed a headache which was in no way the fault the cooking but more due to the affront to my Spartan relationship with food.
