We say thank you with bellinis, scallops and quince
IF you ever receive an email from Confidential asking if you fancy a free dinner with cocktails and wine, make sure you RSVP, ASAP. We send them every now and then to our Heroes and the most loyal customers of our Privilege Gift Voucher scheme. They get you and a friend a place at a dinner like the one hosted by gorgeous Italian restaurant Don Giovanni on Oxford Street last week.
We like this place more every time we visit – it feels fresh and chic, and you know the food is going to be good. At Hero events, you can be sure of good company too: Confidential readers all have one thing in common after all – a higher-than-average interest in food and drink. If you like eating out, these are your people.
The night started with a peach bellini in their Italianate cocktail bar, before we were taken into their private dining room for a four-course, wine-matched dinner. They used the evening to show off some of the stunning seafood dishes on their new summer menu (and who can blame them? From what we tasted, it's a quiet triumph for their chefs).
For example the starter of tender, purple pulpo (octopus) paired with braised celery and roast new potatoes, scattered with parsley and chilli. Simple, light and unusual, it was the perfect summer salad.
The lobster ravioli kept enthusiasm high – soft parcels of home-made ravioli, with a scattering of red peppercorns, fennel and chilli, and a creamy tomato sauce. It was an exciting dish with intriguing flavours. Order it if you're going there.
Our main stayed with the seafood theme: juicy, plump scallops with samphire and rocket. Whoever is supplying the seafood to Don Giovanni is doing an excellent job. It was all super-tender and fresh. The kind of quality you expect in a harbour-side restaurant rather than an hour inland.
We ended with an Italian cheeseboard including a creamy tangy taleggio and gourmet accompaniments such as candied orange and quince.
If you want to get involved in the Heroes Club, find out more here.
Fancy trying Don Giovanni yourself? Book a table online.
