Archipelago Restaurant: A British Treasure
Archipelago Restaurant in London is one of the most famous restaurants in the world and it is a considered to be the height of adventurous cuisine in London. It is also one of the favorite restaurants of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The experience of eating here is compared opt a journey amid the exotic local of Buddhas, dwarf palm trees and huge peacock faethers. There are all kinds of interesting things on the menu starting with the appetizers. These include a crocodile fillet seared in vine leaves with a plum dipping sauce, Nepalese spiced Zebra roulaide with mango and raspberry chutney and Japanese unagi in horseradish cream and pine nut sauce. Everything is presented in a very interesting way. For instance the croc is served on a hot rock, and the whole locusts are served a top a dandelion leaf salad.
The main courses are very startling and include Alpaca Ropa Viega with injera pancakes, zhug marinated kangaroo fillet with water spinach and choi, wok-seared frog’s legs with cashew and ginger, bison steaks with mushroom ketchup and Durban “Bunny chow” with Sri Lanan lentils, bean curry and tomato chutney.
At lunch the restaurant, whose motto is”Exploring the Exotic” also features a tasting menu. This consists of African crocodile bites, manouri cheese, basil and pineut parcels, and spice Australian kangaroo filets. For the less adventurous the menu also features lots of salads, Indonesian chicken curry and Chinese style crispy duck with hoi sin salad. The weirdest salad offered is the love bug salad that features pan fried locusts and crickets in chili and garlic.
The desserts are also very interesting include creations like the Baby Bee brulee which is a rose water Brule with lemon and lime tuille. There is also the African sunset which is a mix of granadilla baarois topped with 24 carat gold and champagne glaze.
The restaurant is also known for it’s very bizarre drinks. It has a small bar where you wait to be seated called The Peacock Lounge. A favorite is the Pond Life, which includes vodka, vermouth, elderflower, lime, Cointreau, fresh mint and a little edible fish.
Another amazing offering is the “Visit from the Doctor.” This is a medicine chest of 12 digestive potions that include such interesting shot drinks as vodka and vanilla earn, chocolate liquor with cherries, schnapps with 24 carat gold flakes and sambuca and liquorice.
Archipelago is located at 110 Whitfield Street in London and near Euston Square in London.