Imagine what it would be like to be served an entire piglet. Imagine it roasted to a golden point, with crusty and salty skin, juicy meat, and truffled adobo rice and lemongrass stuffing. This famous dish is the lechon. You need to order it two days in advance, and it is ideal for a group of six to eight people. This is the experience proposed by chef Ferdinand Montoya at his restaurant Sarap in London.
Montoya is originally from the Philippines and has been working at London restaurants for about ten years. He always had the dream of serving authentic Filipino ingredients in a non-authentic manner. The lechon is a perfect example of that. The restaurant welcomes you with bamboos decorating the terrace. It is the chef’s expression of his culture, who tailored it to impress and provoke those who come to dine.
The interior design is simple, not the caricature-like environment people usually expect when entering an eastern Asian establishment. Blue walls contrast with the wood furniture and the white ceiling, and the decor is minimal. Dim lighting shines over the tables and booths. A green, back wall filled with plants completes the visual aspect of the restaurant.
Aside from the renowned lechon, the menu is not extensive. It highlights each dish and its complex flavor characteristics with a beautiful presentation. The Trout Kinilaw consists of tender fish pieces with coconut vinegar and rhubarb to add aroma to the plate. There’s also the grilled poussin with juicy meat, accompanied by lemongrass and calamansi (a small hybrid lemon from the Philippines) paste.
There are also plenty of vegetarian options. The Ensaladang Talong is made with eggplants, tomato, and duck egg. The vegan Ginataang Kalabasa consists of butternut squash and mung beans served inside a pumpkin. In contrast to the food, the wine menu is long, with bottles from different vintages and regions of the world.
Sarap Restaurant Bookings
Capital A List members can make bookings for Sarap below.
Sarap Restaurant London Dress Code & Address
Cuisine: Filipino
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Area: Mayfair
Address: 10 Heddon St, London W1B 4BX, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.saraplondon.com/sarap-home
(6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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