Tuesday 2 September 2008

Mmmm..... Murano

I know. I've been away. I've let you all down. I disappeared without trace, without warning, and hid behind an 'invitation only' sign. Truth is, nobody was invited. I just needed some time. Things have not been fun around here lately, and I didn't want to bore you all with it. It's just not me.

Sadly, things are still not that great. A couple of close family members are pretty sick, and one of my cats has been very poorly for the last month or so. And on top of that, I'm really busy with work stuff - in a good way, but on top of everything else that's been going on this year, I'm just mentally and physically cream-crackered.

So I decided to put the blog on hold.

But then... Then I went and had a meal at Angela Hartnett's long-awaited new restaurant, Murano. And I couldn't resist taking my camera. And then I thought I might as well share the photos. So here they are. (Apologies for the overall standard - the lighting wasn't that great for a point-and-shoot, plus I took the photos in a bit of a hurry, because it really wasn't the kind of place to be taking snaps, and I didn't want to incur the wrath of fellow diners.)

If you want the words, I suggest you read a review here. It says everything I would have said. I'm actually wondering if the reviewer stole my brain.

Murano ham and bread

carta da musica, focaccia, wonderful ham, and fine olive oil

Murano Swiss chard tortelli

Swiss chard and sairass ricotta tortelli, sage and butter emulsion



Murano prawn raviolo

ravioli of king prawn with pickled fennel, raisin purée

Murano lamb

roasted Welsh lamb rump, white bean ragout, smoked pancetta



Murano red mullet

grilled Cornish red mullet, crushed peas and mint, fresh almond and white grape vinaigrette

Murano sorbets

dazzling pre-dessert sorbets incl. basil (the star), blood orange, blackcurrant, mango, banana, strawberry, chocolate


Murano posset

lemon posset, raspberry salad, fromage frais sorbet


Murano roasted peach

vanilla parfait, chocolate cream, roasted white peach

Murano post-desserts

post-dessert desserts: tiramisu with coffee granita; sugar tuiles, salted pralines, dark truffles, and cherry bombes


Murano chandelier

the interior - with spectacular, specially-commissioned chandelier


Murano interior 1

the lovely interior


Murano interior 2

the lovely interior again

I hope that gives you something to be going on with. I'll try to be back soon, but I can't promise anything, ok? Be good in the meantime, and take care of yourselves.

AFoS x




Murano on Urbanspoon

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to see you back! I just got your comment on my blog and I was just about to e-mail you and ask why i wasn't invited! I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time. Hopefully things will improve for you soon. I can empathise with you, believe me.

The meal looks stunning. Tht ravioli looks really pretty and the pickled fennel is a great idea. I might have to try that myself actually. Cornish mullet with almond and grape vinaigrette sound so interesting too. Anothe rone to add to my ever growing list...

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad your're back, I've missed your posts. Sorry to hear things aren't going very well for you, hopefully they'll improve soon and you'll be back for good. Lots of lovely dinners in good restaurants is obviously what you need right now.

I'm a big fan of Angela Hartnett and the food and interior look wonderul. Pretty impressive photography too for a "point and click".

G

Maggie said...

Pleased to know that you haven't left us on a permanent basis.
The food and restaurant look stunning.
It's the desserts that have won me over!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Glad to see you back if only just once in a while. Life has a way of getting in the way of blogging. The restaurant sounds fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heather said...

Oi! I don't know what got me worse: the pre-dessert , the dessert or the post-dessert! Eesh.

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who felt left out. I thought you'd gone exclusive. Like one of those fancy restaurants you go to. Won't bore you with well wishes (ha! got ya), but I'm glad you're back.

michael, claudia and sierra said...

ok - i'm moving. do you have a spare bedroom? because i totally want to eat with you...

beautiful meal. hope things get back to a more tolerable state soon...

Pia K said...

Sorry to hear that life hasn't treated your near and dear too well as lately, do hope things will look better soon!!

That ravioli and those desserts look spectacular, oh my...

Cynthia said...

I am so glad that you are back!

I pray that things will get better soon.

Manggy said...

Sorry to be late-- I had to delete the RSS feed when it kept bugging me for a password that would ultimately fail anyway. I'm adding it back so I don't miss the next time. Sorry to hear about the family problems-- I hope you guys get through this difficult situation.

I didn't know Ramsay had a female protege. I thought he ran a patriarchal kitchen ;) Everything looks good, especially the prawn ravioli. Oh, Lordy. I do have a recipe for Lemon Posset from Claire Clark but I will have to find a way to dress it up as Hartnett's patissier has. (oh, and get superior cream. :)

Browners said...

So glad you're back - your photos are fantastic.

I was worried I'd been banned from reading your blog!

Rosie said...

Welcome back and it's great to see you blogging again! I am sorry to hear things are not good at the moment I do hope things will improve soon!!

Wonderful photos of the food and restaurant.

Rosie x

Sarah said...

:::hugs:::

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Sorry things have been crummy lately--hopefully things turn around soon. Glad to see your back

And that meal looks awesome. Lots of great ideas there

lorraine@italianfoodies said...

hey, was wondering too what was going on. Sorry to hear about the bad stuff, hope everything goes ok. The meal looks fab, really like angela, would love to try her new place out!

hugs and xxxx

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments, and apologies again for going AWOL. I hope to post more stuff soon, but can't make any promises. I'll make the most of reading your blogs in the meantime!

David Hall said...

Good to see you back - and eating MORE fine food you jammy devil!

Cheers
David

Maria Verivaki said...

coming back to cooler climates here in crete...

thanks for sharing these mouth watering snaps

Anonymous said...

i've never heard the phrase "cream-crackered" before, but now it's my new favorite.

all that food looks lovely. take care of you.

Chou said...

The food looks lovely. I hope that the things that are stressing you work out for the best.

Frequent Traveler said...

The food looks delicious, and the review by are you ready to order was helpful too, thank you ! I've wanted to try that, so will add it to my list :)

Who would you recommend for authentic italian the most ? I've got Zafferano and Locanda Locatelli on the 'try' list as well, but feedback from someone who knows always helps the most ! i'm craving a wonderful plate of pasta...

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Vincent said...

Creativity here from Angela Hartnett on the supervision of Mister Ramsay, went just before the restaurant has been awarded 1 start on Red Book. Very please overall, the creativity and the games around the full tasting menu are transporting you to the high quality of “high class” cooking. The quality of products is just perfect. A special attention to the sorbet painting pallet with the dessert. So impressive.
I’ll be back.

Edwina said...

Really useful information, thanks so much for the article.