Artistry and imagination at Da Terra
As some restrictions begin to start lifting in the UK, here is a bit of inspiration for your return to the London dining scene this week. Da Terra Restaurant is a culinary partnership between Chefs Rafael Cagali and Paulo Airaudo, born from their roots and the relationships of where they come from; nature, soil, knowledge and people.
Both Chefs Rafael and Paulo have extensive Michelin star experience at the helm of renowned kitchens around the globe including The Fat Duck, Aulis, Fera and Arzak to name a few. Head Chef Jing Wang is part of this culinary dream team and has worked with Rafael since their days at Fera.
Da Terra has recently gained its second Michelin star in 2021 for its experimental cuisine which incorporates many flavours and techniques from South America and Europe. Located inside the Town Hall Hotel, a beautiful Victorian building in the Bethnal Green area of London, Da Terra is definitely a culinary destination not to be missed when visiting the city.
Da Terra offers only tasting menus with a short format (7 courses), long format (10 courses) or a lunch tasting (5 courses) along with wine pairings. The menu is very creative with many dishes presented like a simple work of art.
The first dish on the tasting menu was the Smoked mackerel with beetroot ribbons, creme fraiche and trout roe. The dish was light though packed a smoky punch and paired nicely with le Oche.
The diver scallops were served by our very own Lego man diver who presumably caught these fresh scallops earlier. The Paolo e Lorenzo Marchionni Rosato 2017 made a surprisingly good pairing with the scallop. Normally I would have chosen a traditional French Chablish or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to go with this dish, but the Italian Rosato worked well in this instance.
Next up was the chicken, and no ordinary chicken this was. First came the egg then the chicken, or is it the other way around? When it tastes this good, the ordering really doesn't matter. The thin crispy chicken skin added a really nice crunchy texture to the overall dish.
Next up was the Roasted Bone Marrow with bread and Lego butter. I'm still yet to understanding the underlying meaning behind the Lego theme on this tasting menu and forgot to ask Chef. There is nothing really to fault when it is a roasted bone marrow, rich in flavour eaten on its own or spread onto a piece of bread. The Lego butter was an emulsion made from extra virgin olive oil.
The rich and creamy langoustine risotto was sublime. The risotto was swimming in a fragrant langoustine bisque and succulent morsels of langoustine. The light acidity from the Julien Guillot Bourgogne Blanc en Rimont 2016 perfectly cut through the richness of the bisque.
One of my favourite dishes on the menu in both taste and presentation are the Truffle Nests and Squid Ink pillows. So beautifully presented, almost too good to eat...well almost.
The Roast Cod in beurre blanc was served with a crispy seaweed rice cracker, and charred cabbage.
And for the last main, a succulent piece of short rib topped with tiny mushrooms was presented with a side of buttered bread crumbs, chard and a dollop of mayonnaise. This lovely creation was paired with Julien Guillot's Ultimatum Climat 2016. By this point we were so stuffed we nearly didn't make it to the desserts.
Zacapa Rum ice cream was presented on a beautiful shell like dish with a spoonful of caviar and avocado cream. Caviar for dessert? Why not, caviar can pretty much go with anything in my humble opinion.
And lastly the Topinambur White Chocolate dessert. Topinambur is a form of Jerusalem artichoke and the leaves of the Topinambur were used in this dessert with white chocolate crumbs.
The fresh and sweet bubbly texture of the Ca' D' Gal Lumine Moscato d'Asti 2018 added a nice touch to accompany both desserts.
Just when we thought we couldn't eat anymore, we were presented with the Petit Fours of Pâte de fruits, chocolate truffles and little triangles of lemon tart.
The tasting menus at Da Terra are innovative and beautifully presented with interesting wine pairings, well deserving of its 2 Michelin stars. I would certainly return to Da Terra on my next visit to London.
LOCATION
Da Terra
8 Patriot Square,
London, E2 9NF
UK
RESERVATIONS
Reservations in advance recommended online, email at or by phone at 020 7062 2052.