If you're a foodie with a penchant for locally sourced, creatively crafted dishes, then this is a must-read. Starling, which opened its doors in August, offers an earthy, ethereal decor and mouth-watering dishes. Chef Nick Beardshaw, formerly of Kerridge's in London, has launched his own restaurant in Esher, Surrey, where he showcases his best culinary creations.
The menu features Nick's famous A Moon Shaped Pool, a dish that won him accolades on the BBC 's Great British Menu. I had the pleasure of dining there on a Sunday afternoon, and I can confidently say: this restaurant is outstanding. My boyfriend, Owen, and I had a delightful time exploring the incredible menu.
We were warmly welcomed by general manager James Shaw, who guided us through the menu and promptly served our drinks. I began with a refreshing peppermint tea, followed by a luxurious Sussex sparkling wine, while Owen opted for a bottle-aged Negroni. To start, we ordered the steak tartare hash brown with black garlic for £9, and the truffle cheese crumpets for £7 to share.
With its irresistible truffle scent, crispy exterior and dense crumpet, we could have devoured an entire plate. I was taken aback by the hash browns — they were so dense, topped with whipped bone marrow and thinly sliced steak. This was another perfect quick bite before our starters.
The Pigs Head was not a traditional roast hog with an apple in its mouth, but rather a pulled pork dish with a crispy outer layer. The pork was so smooth it .
