Sponsored post in association with American Express®
Over the past couple of weeks I have teamed up with the folk at American Express® to experience some of the amazing rewards that are available to their Cardmembers, and to say I have been having a wonderful time is a bit of an understatement… (Sorry. Not sorry).
One of the many rewards (and these include incredible experiences around food, film, music and theatre etc…) includes having access to their wonderful events at the London Restaurant Festival, and I went along to the very special Desert Island Dishes event, held at chef Chris Galvin’s restaurant, Bistrot de Luxe on Baker Street.
I’d never been to the restaurant before but had heard all about it, so was very excited to be attending on such a special night.
The restaurant itself is a bit of an institution – inspired by the traditional ‘Bistrot Modernes’ of Paris, the London restaurant has gorgeous globe lighting, banquette seating, Bentwood chairs and that beautiful crisp, white linen draping over every table…. Stunning.
We were welcomed with a glass of champagne (thank you!) and presented with a bespoke signed menu of Chris Galvin’s very own Desert Island Dishes. Each course had a story behind it and had been chosen by the chef for emotive reasons. Perhaps it was something his grandmother used to cook for him, or inspired by one of the many farmers and artisans he’s met on his culinary travels over the years….
MENU
Welcome drink
NV Galvin Champagne
Gougère
Salad gourmand
Artichokes, smoked duck breast parfait, French beans, truffle
Lasagne of Dorset Crab
Beurre Nantaise & Chervil
Slow cooked Pyrenées Lamb
Basque vegetables & wild thyme
Apple tart tartin
Normandy crème fraiche
I loved discovering that Chris Galvin’s Desert Island ingredient is olive oil (that might be mine too) and that if he could take a cookbook with him, he’d choose ‘Great Chefs of France’ by Quentin Crewe and Anthony Blake.
Interestingly, if he could only eat one cuisine on the island it would be Italian, and his luxury would be a Gibson blues guitar!
Learning these little personal titbits about the chef really brought the whole meal to life. It was absolutely delicious and Bistrot de Luxe is now right up there on my favourite London restaurants list.
The evening was a total treat and I can’t wait to go back!
I’ve been dreaming of that tart tartin ever since…
Everyday Perks with American Express
With American Express Invites®, Cardmembers can get exclusive access and pre-sale tickets to some of the hottest venues, events and gigs around, such as London Restaurant Festival, the BFI London Film Festival and the National Theatre.
But American Express doesn’t just make special experiences more memorable, its range of Cards is packed with ways to get more from your everyday spending*; from Membership Rewards® points that can be used to treat yourself to virtually anything, to discounts at top restaurants and hotels, money back on everyday purchases, or collecting frequent flyer miles to help you get on your next getaway sooner. To find out more about how American Express can help you get more out of every day, visit amex.co.uk/whyamex
* Selected Cards only. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.
Promoter: American Express Services Europe Limited has its registered office at Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX, United Kingdom. It is registered in England and Wales with Company Number 1833139 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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I LOVE listening to Desert Island Discs, so I find this concept very lovely too – what a fun idea! The apple tart looks especially tasty..! xx
Laura // Middle of Adventure
What a delicious menu! I wasn’t aware of the American Express Perks, something worth looking into x