I am generally a pretty casual diner, preferring a lip smackingly good bowl of soup noodles in a street side diner as opposed to the stuffy pomp and circumstance of a Michelin Star restaurant. However, when the fish is this fresh and cooked to perfection as it is here you can't help but relish the opulent surroundings and want to come back again and again.
The place isn't cheap but the secret with this one is to book on Sunday with the Taste London card which gives you 50% off all food! There is no limit to the number of times you can use it too. Wow. This is the best food deal yet I have found in London.
We started off in the bar with an aperitif. A solid Manhattan for me. We moved into the dining room where we were seated at a large table for four with very comfy seats. You would be quite happy to sit here all night drinking and eating.
First up for me, "Norwegian Red King Crab Legs from the Barents Sea (£24)". There was a choice of how you could have these served. I opted for plain and simple, on ice with a light mayonnaise and lemon. This crab was the sweetest I have ever had. It was insanely good. I was in a posh restaurant and couldn't stop myself from picking up the legs and munching on them. The ends were like large crab claws, meaty and so delicious. 10/10.
A friend had "Pan-Fried Hand Dived Scallop with Onzen Quail Egg, Charlotte Potato Mousseline, Crispy Pork Belly and Jus Gras (£20)". A waiter added the Mousseline at the table for added theatre. I was lucky enough to be given some of the scallop which was sweet and cooked just to the point.
As a main dish, I opted for the recommended signature dish of "Roasted Norwegian Halibut with Tiger Prawn Dumplings, Paimpol Coco Beans and Truffle Cassoulet, Pork Belly, Sauce Nantua (£27)" More complex than my starter, I loved the earthy truffle against the firm milky flesh of the fish which both tasted great with the saltier fried prawn dumplings.
"Ocean Fish Mixed Grill, Sauce Choron, Mediterranean Vegetables (£27)"
All fish perfectly cooked, simple and elegant.
I am not a huge desert man and the cheese cart looked to be supporting an attractive array of stinkers so we went for cheese instead. My favourites were the Munster (bottom left) and the liquid pool of cheese you see in the middle, whose name I forget. They literally scoop it out with a spoon (see below) and it melts into a cheesy dream on the plate. It packed a real punch and was great with the accompanying grapes.
Coffee was served with an array of petit fours including white chocolate truffle with lavender and chocolate with cinnamon.
I can't compliment the restaurant enough. Fantastic food, obscenely fresh fish and lots of innovative ideas on display. I can't think of any other fish restaurant in London I have enjoyed more (although I still need to try J-sheekey which it critically acclaimed). The service was first rate too. With the 50% discount, this place is a steal. Go now before the offer ends.
Monster Munch Rating: 95%
One-O-One Restaurant
101 Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7RN
http://www.oneoonerestaurant.com/
