THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Farm to table has been trending for some time. When the farm is an estate in the heart of Tuscany, it takes the concept to another level.
From what I've seen online, the five star Il Borro Estate looks like paradise. The Ferragamo family have spent 3 decades restoring it and converting 1100 hectares to organic land producing wine, beer, honey, olive oil, vinegar, fruit and veg. The restaurant was created to bring high-end Tuscany first to Dubai and now, Mayfair. Location, location, location!
The restaurant is a luxurious mix of old school and contemporary Italian. It's enormous! The 2 floors are connected by a curved staircase, perfect for making an entrance. White linen tables with upholstered seats are given enough space for additional side tables. A place to put my man bag! The atmosphere is beautifully calm while the open kitchen offers a bit of theater.
Executive Head Chef Fulvio Opalio has created a huge menu of Tuscan classics. It is mouth-watering, as are the prices. We were lucky to catch the special white truffle menu which runs until December.
It wouldn't be Italian without a basket of bread. Grissini (crisp North Italian breadsticks), whole meal and focaccia came with Il Borro olive oil, tomato relish and tapenade. A feast in itself.
Perfectly cooked asparagus, gratinated with parmesan and topped with a sunny side up egg and white truffle shaved at the table (£42) is classic for a reason. This combination of beautiful ingredients can't be beat. Had the egg been poached, it would have been perfect.
Josper grilled prawns (£23) with a garlic, lemon zest and herb oil were heavenly, though a tad over. Thankfully I saved a piece of focaccia to sop up the oil. I should have saved 2!
Tagliolini with butter sauce and white truffle (£62) showed off the coveted tuber to its best. The perfume alone was enough to make me swoon and the delicate strands of pasta were perfect.
Sea bass fillet (£35) came unadorned, with just a dab of cauliflower puree and perfectly al dente vegetables. No frills, just a beautiful piece of fish. My Irish guest needed spuds, so we added a side of triple cooked chips with rosemary salt (£9). Crispy outside, fluffy in the middle. Just the way I like them.
I was keen to sample something from the Il Borro Vineyard and a bottle of Polissena 2018 sated both my curiosity and my palate. In the Chianti style, this pure Sangiovese has spice, oak and tannins that bite. And it's organic!
Rum marinated pineapple carpaccio with coconut sorbet (£22) is a Piña Colada on a plate. Sweet and boozy. Warm apple tart with vanilla ice cream (£15) was a sight to behold. Reminiscent of a Tart Tatin, the puff pastry crust was crisp and buttery and the apples caramelised beautifully.
Service is impeccable. As a matter of fact, if the Il Borro Estate is as good, I would be happy to review!
