One of our frequent haunts, No 97, closed recently, but has now re-opened as Mem's. We had a free prosecco and raspberry as a promotion just before it opened, and we have sat outside before for a drink. But after a farmers' market - which it is right by - we now decide to go there for lunch.
It's a nice day, so we decide we will sit outside - there are a few others outside too. We order a bottle of Chenin Blanc which at £24 is pretty good value, though it takes a little while to arrive. It transpires that our waitress was new. One of the downsides to No 97 had been that there were only 3 choices per course. At Mem's it's not much different - 4 or 5 choices - though they all sound lovely.
We decide we would share starters - bluefin tuna and cured sea bass. I order the guinea fowl as main, but B decides on just having a second starter, beef tartare. The waitress seems dubious as to whether that would be allowed! Of course, there is no problem.
The tuna is nicely seared and pink. The accompanying wasabi slaw is not too strong, sesame and basil are good clean flavours. The sea bass comes with white crabmeat spiced with chilli - again quite subtly. Both are attractively presented, as No 97 used to do.
B's second starter is beef tartare. This comes beautifully presented on a slice of brioche toast. My guinea fowl is rather more ordinary in presentation, but lovely and moist, very well-judged cooking. We also have a truffle Caesar salad - not much truffle but fine otherwise.
A young couple come to sit outside with the remains of their wine and we get into a deep conversation about local restaurants. It's been very pleasant sitting in the sunshine, and after the false start the service was fine. With a second bottle of wine the total comes to £132 including 12.5% service.
