Floating Islands - Ile Flottante - French Dessert

First time we tried this french dessert was in the L'Eglise restaurant. It was so yummy.

Ile Flottante means "Floating Islands". As you can see from the photo, the meringue "islands" float on a sea of custard sauce. It is a French traditional home cook dessert. We are not sure why but it is not usually served in French restaurant in UK. May be the presentation doesn't look attractive?!

We miss it so much so I googled some recipes. And here is the result.

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Sago Pudding with Red Bean Paste 豆沙西米糕

My first sago puddings.

After talking to Sa Sa yesterday, I planned to make it myself. I just miss sago pudding so much.

Very yummy! Thank you Sa Sa.

Rhodes W1 Brasserie Bar - Gary Rhodes

Today we went to Rhodes W1 Brasserie Bar for lunch. This brasserie is part of the The Cumberland Hotel which is very close to the Marble Arch underground station. The interior is very contemporary and spacious.

Rhodes W1 Brasserie Bar

We had the lunch menu but have to say that when first looked at it, we thought it was a bit boring and were a bit disappointed. However it was good value for money considering it is a celebrity chef brasserie restaurant. It was £24.95 for two courses and £29.95 for three courses including one drink.

The food was presented well and taste very good, what we would expected from Gary Rhodes. The waiting staff on the other hand was not as high standard as other celebrity chef restaurants we've been to. Our reservation was at noon and the brasserie was empty. During our dining, only one other lady was having lunch there.

Grilled mackerel with orange and fennel salad

Fresh figs, Parma ham, Gorgonzola and basil butter

Medallions of beef rump with braised red cabbage and horseradish cream

Roasted chicken breast on butter spinach with tomato and thyme fondue, melting Swiss cheese, and shallot white wine and cream sauce

The Rhodes W1 Restaurant is in the same premises but they have their own entrance at the corner. It is under refurbishment at the moment. I am sure we will give it a try.

16/08/2008 Saturday

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Links to our other postings:
The World Best Restaurants 2008
Le Manoir aux Quat - Raymond Blanc - Two-Michelin-Starred Restaurant - UK
Craig