][1]We know. We know. The weather has perhaps been just a little-thunder-bolts-and-lightning, very,very frightening of late.
However, we have been consulting the weather charts, reading the runes and doing a sun dance. Rest assured that the recent rain is just a tiny blip in what look set to be a glorious summer.
So let’s hear three cheers for Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens as they have just launched their new summer al fresco menu.
Culinary summer hit list
Available in both the Secret Garden at the back of the hotel and on the terrace at its front, the menu reads like a culinary feel good hit list for the summer.
You can see the full menu here but we would start with the gravlax which comes with a cucumber salad and mustard sauce. Although we could be persuaded of the merits of the Treul Serrano DOP ham with grilled nectarines.
Had we started with the gravlax then the main course would have to be the Normandy chicken breast with pommes frites and a Longueville cider sauce. If we had started with the Serrano ham then we would choose the poached Scottish salmon with hot, buttered Sharpes Express potatoes, watercress and a Hollandaise sauce.
Summer lunch
The lemon tart with mascarpone would be the perfect finish to a summer lunch.
While on the subject of lunches, check back on our Big Deal site next week when an offer on a Champagne lunch for two at One Devonshire Gardens is scheduled to run.