Photo of
Jonathan Trew
April 4, 2017
spring menu at Malmaison
Fresh burrata – creamy-style mozzarella, herb purée and heritage tomato salad from the new spring menu at the Chez Mal Brasserie.

The trees are beginning to bud; the birds are thinking of nesting and the flowers are about to bloom. It must be spring menu time.

The 5pm Dining blog sashayed along to the Malmaison Brasserie in Edinburgh to check out the new Mal spring menu.

You can book in at the Mal Brasserie in Leith via 5pm. £19.95 will see you comfortably seated in the smart dining room looking forward to two courses from the prix fixe spring menu plus a glass of wine.

Spring menu at Chez Mal Brasserie

Here is a selection of dishes from the menu. We didn’t sample all of them for fear of having to be rolled home.

spring menu at Malmaison
Spring lamb Benedict – slow-braised Dorset lamb shoulder with American glaze, brioche and mint Béarnaise.

As spring comes in and the new season’s ingredients arrive in the kitchen, dishes often become lighter. This is an exception. Hale and hearty, this is the sort of sturdy lamb dish to tuck into after being caught in an unexpected and icy April shower.

spring menu at Malmaison
Grilled masala spiced mackerel – sweet potato and lime pickle, cumin raita.

This was a light, zingy dish. Mackerel has a big flavour and it was matched by the masala spicing and then tamed by the raita. Lime pickle added a little sourness and the sweet potato lent it a little crunch.

spring menu at Malmaison
Fresh spring vegetable and wild garlic risotto – topped with pea shoots and extra virgin olive oil.

We didn’t try this one but it is the dish that probably best demonstrates the new spring ingredients.

spring menu at Malmaison
Pan-fried river trout – served with pea and broad bean purée, Anya potatoes and truffle vinaigrette.

This dish had a very appealing presentation and would be perfect for anyone looking for a light lunch.

spring menu at Malmaison
Gloucester old spot pork belly – served with braised gem heart, fresh peas, Ramsay black pudding and Bramley apple purée.

Melting pork, crunchy crackling, rich black pudding, fresh peas and sweet apple sauce – very satisfying dish.

spring menu at Malmaison
Chicken Milanese – breaded chicken breast with Burford Brown fried egg, truffle mayonnaise and rainbow chard.

Comfort food – pure and simple. Crunchy bread crumb coat on moist chicken with an unctuous mayo and oozing egg. The Swiss chard makes a pretence of adding adult sophistication but this is an honest dish where the pleasure comes from the simplicity.

spring menu at Malmaison
Warm Valrhona caramel chocolate brownie – served with brown butter pecan ice cream.

We don’t need to say any more about this. The dish description says it all.

spring menu at Malmaison
Iced coffee and praline parfait – served with chocolate sauce.

Similar to the brownie above, this a whole hunk of pudding love.