As you might remember, I have recently had the pleasure of enjoying Basque food on our trip to South Western France. The Basque cuisine is really quite something! It is influenced by the sea on one side and the fertile Ebro valley on the other. With fertile ground for grains and vineyards in an area called Álava, and good land for livestock breeding in Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa, Basque country has a rich culinary heritage. It is no wonder then that today the region boasts almost 40 Michelin starred restaurants!
One Aldwych Hotel in Covent Garden
Obviously I got really excited when I found out, that I didn’t have to jump on a plane to enjoy a beautiful Basque meal, as Eneko actually has brought it all to me! What I really love about this place is, that you can enjoy Michelin Star food at a reasonable price! You see, Eneko is a transplant outpost of one of the Basque region’s leading chefs, Eneko Atxa, whose restaurant, Azurmendi, outside Bilbao, has three Michelin stars and on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List.
Before our dinner at Eneko, we decided to enjoy a pre-drink at The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych Hotel
The new Showtime Cocktail menu celebrates the passion and drama of London’s great theatre productions
Enjoying my cocktail and snacks at a cosy spot! (look at the funky high chairs behind me!)
I have to agree with the reviews of this place! This really is one the most beautiful hotel lobby bars in London!
Just around the corner you will find the entrance to Eneko!
I entered into a cool, modern, elliptical space. Design firm Casson Mann have surely done an impressive job reimagining the subterranean dining room in this grand Edwardian building (built in 1907 as the Morning Post headquarters). Furthermore, they have introduced a shiny copper staircase from street-level to mezzanine (talk about making an entrance) – and revealed and restored the original steel columns. It was love at first sight for me!
Even though the room was quite big, the atmosphere was still cosy and relaxed decorated with beautiful sculptural flowers
Time to have a look at the menu card…
and enjoy a glass of wine…
– served by the lovely Janelle
We had a delicious bottle of G22 by Gorka Izagirre. (Eneko and his uncle Gorka use local grape varietals to create four unique wines at their winery, Gorka Izagirre)
The butter was mixed at the table with basil and chopped chives! It was so good that we had to ask for more!
Frenchie won the price of having the most beautiful dish of them all! His starter was simply out of this world. This is the signature dish “Memories of the Bay of Biscay”: Diver scallop, daikon and chive emulsion
Another very well-presented starter! Basque Duck Liver Parfait: Txakoli wine-soaked apple compote! It tasted so good, that I might just order the same again, next time I visit Eneko!
As Basque as it gets! Txipirones en su Tinta: Basque style squid in ink sauce! Frenchie was very happy!
And I went for more duck! Simply because this dish could not be more beautiful (and delicious)! Seared Duck Breast: Julienne of king oyster mushrooms and pickled red onion! You simply have to try this one!
There are several side dishes to choose from. We had a bacon, potato, idiazabal gratin and stuffed piquillo peppers! Lovely!
It was hard to say no to dessert after these amazing dishes…
And yes, it was definitely worth the extra calories! I enjoyed every bite of this fabulous Salted Caramel Mousse
Frenchie went for a very traditional Basque dessert! This is Torrija: Basque vanilla sponge with caramel crumble ice-cream (it tasted so good, that I had to steal a bit from time to time!)
We had a wonderful time here – and were pleasantly overwhelmed by Eneko’s cooking (and also just how good value for money it was) As something new Eneko also offers a brunch menu with the option of unlimited Cava, Bloody Mary’s or Kalimotxo!
Would we return? In a heartbeat!
X Louise
I love Eneko. You need to try the Traditional Talo next time you are there. Always a winner!
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for the tip! I agree – the Talo does look very, very nice indeed 🙂
X Louise
I’ve been a few times to Eneko and it’s the best restaurant at the moment in London. Just perfect! Glad you to see had a pre-drinks at One Aldwych bar – lovely!
Hi Rosana,
Yes, I agree. Eneko certainly deserves their good reviews!
X Louise
Wow my mouth is watering from all that food! What a delicious menu and I am sure the wine flowed all night =o)
https://dreamofadventures.com/
Hahaha – let’s just say, that Frenchie and I were in a very good mood, when we left the place. Thanks to the food – but certainly also the wine 😀
X Louise
This looks delicious! I am going to be in London in three weeks, so I’ll have to add it to my list
xx
Lizzie | Takeoffs & Landings
Hi Liz,
You certainly won’t regret it. Eneko is the place to be in London these days! Have fun while you are here! 🙂
X Louise
Sounds like a wonderful restaurant! I will definitely check it out next time I’m around Covent Garden. It’s amazing when you can get Michelin star quality food at a reasonable price x
Agreed! Nothing better than excellent food for a good price! 😀
X Louise
What a gorgeous restaurant! Such a a great place to dine and the food looks delicious and so beautifully plated! Have a wonderful week babe.
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Hi Amy,
Yes, the interior is quite spectacular – and the food as well! 😀 win/win
X Louise
I’ve still not been to Eneko and I really must. I love how they are taking classic Basque cuisine and giving it the full on modern aesthetic and michelin-starred treatment. Everything looks beautiful, but I’m stuck on the scallop dish!
Well, the scallop dish seems to have that effect on most people 😉
Hope you will have time to visit Eneko in the near future!
X Louise
OMG this has got me drooling. It look so incredibly amazing. Duck liver parfait? Sounds like my kind of dish.
It got me drooling as well! (Just not showing it on the pictures) 😉 Yes, the duck liver parfait was one of my favourites… It is usually always a winner – and this one doesn’t let you down for sure! 🙂
X Louise