Mrs Marmite Lover, the Underground Restaurant, the book
I recently had a delectable time at Mrs Marmite Lover’s – her underground restaurant is certainly the most famous in London.
The Supperclub scene offers a wide range of choices. Some will focus on a unique menu, others on the artistic side of the evening. I have tried quite a few in the last couple of years but this one remained my favourite. The themes always amaze me – up to a farmers’ market!
On my first visit, we re-experienced our senses. I remember particularly eating Indian food with my fingers (I never found such an excellent dahl afterwards), the aromas of the stinking bishop cheese and the durian, the desert discovered blindfolded, which was folded by multiple spoon kicks on the table (and my neighbour’s hand) and was followed by a cascade of laughs.
This time, cacao was the guest of honour, from starter to desert. Yes! You can have a all-chocolate balanced diet! Of course, this is well known for Mexican dishes although I never had the occasion to taste this. The chipotle, spiced with chilli, was quite something, the cacao linking the ingredients together. Chocoholics could even grate some more on their dish. My favourite alliance definitely was the one with cheese, very refreshing. Why not try it at home? We had parmesan-pecorino-dark choc chips, little balls of goat’s cheese rolled in cacao… Makes you feel like experimenting even further!
The famous Trish Deseine, Irish by birth but adopted with delicious admiration by the French, also brought her ray of sunshine to the evening by preparing three deserts. Her excellent chocolate fondant cake – her signature dish -, delicate yuzu and caramel truffles… and a marvellous, exotic soup of white chocolate, coconut milk, lemongrass and a spoonful of passionfruit. The thai touch brings a taste for holidays and tropical sunshine. How sad to reach the bottom of your plate!
Dinner always ends with a relaxed chat with the host. Most of us cannot resist getting a look at the kitchen – laboratory of the marvellous concoctions of the day. The AGA fascinates the guest, many caress it in admiration. I particularly loved the “Mauvaise Maman” jars, and cannot wait to get one of those from this brand new range!
Soft lightning, French details here and there, the house has such a warm, welcoming feeling to it. It is, literally a “home” restaurant and not a business pop-up.
It takes one meeting to love the woman behind it all. Cheeks pink with pleasure, irresistible smile, elegant yet amusing fashion details, this super-heroine just exchanges her super-cape for a super-apron.
Her talent and culinary experiences naturally led to a book. Literally – a paper version of Mrs Marmite. One opens it just to have a quick look… and finds oneself completely absorbed by it. It all comes from her writing style – her frank, clear choice of words, her sense of humour, it is all there, as if you were listening to her, sitting in her kitchen chair. You jump right into her world, you can picture her walking through the house putting the plates on the table.
Yet, it isn’t just another collection of recipes. Underground restaurants are very much the trend, it looks so easy to manage yet, where to start? Page after page, you will discover her own adventure, the challenges, the perfect timing, the legal details ( a supperclub cannot legally sell alcohol but guests can bring their own bottle of wine, for example). Here and there, retro illustrations, as well as fabulous and very appetizing pictures (don’t miss the Flower ice bowl page 290): a very cheerful book that leaves you hungry or a pice of the action.
Yes, of course, recipes, cooking, seasoning tips are shared too. We love the little twists to classics such as flavoured butter. I often add hebs but never thought of eatable flower. What a beautiful visual effect! Drinks are in there too, including Butterbeer, a Harry Potter & the gang’s favourite. The last chapters propose themed dinners - flowers, gothic, Elvis… What’s to expect? Your notebook will explode, your number of friends double, just go for it!
Mrs Marmite Lover:
The underground restaurant
The book: Supper Club
9 Responses to “Mrs Marmite Lover, the Underground Restaurant, the book ”
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Je me demande si le concept existe aussi à Paris : j’en avais pas mal entendu parler à Berlin, mais Paris ?
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Chocoralie says:
Mais oui! Regarde donc la liste à travers le monde par ici:
http://www.saltshaker.net/underground-dining-scene -
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Je ne connaissais pas du tout !
Merci pour cette superbe découverte, je dois aller à Paris prochainement, je vais vite regarder
Belle soirée, bises.
M. -
The all chocolate meal sounds divine ! Maybe better for the winters though, when the multiple layers of clothes can cover up the chocolate deposits
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My Little Discoveries: ah, on est vite accroc, fais gaffe!
Margaux: belle decouverte a faire.
Trisha: focus on dark chocolate, much better for the diet!
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J’aime l’idée … Le mole, au Mexique, j’avais trouvé ça très chargé en épices … Pas trop piquant mais saturé en épices et très vite écoeurant. On était pourtant allé le manger à Puebla, dans sa ville “natale” ! ;o) Ta dame l’a peut-être adapté une peu plus à l’européenne. La tendance actuelle à la cuisine fusion est une tendance que j’aime bien … Sinon, l’accord du cacao avec le fromage, il faut que j’essaye … Quant à cette “soupe” de Trih Deseine … je vais en rêver ! ;o)
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