The Upper Deck – Hispaniola

Dining on the Upper Deck – Autumn Menu Launch

It’s always fun to be invited to try a new seasonal menu.  Even more fun when the venue is the stunning Hispaniola, moored up on Embankment opposite the London Eye

It’s a genuinely romantic setting.  And, luckily the preview was on a fine evening, when we could enjoy a range of delicious canapes outside on the deck.  Tiny croque monsieurs, confit of duck, thai crab cakes and more.  All washed down with Laurent-Perrier champagne.

Inside the Hispaniola is beautifully fitted out.  You can just tell you are on board a boat – there’s a gentle rocking.  And the dining areas are comfortable, elegant and spacious

The Autumn menu was served with Domain La Croix Belle, Chardonnay.  I picked the pressed smoked chicken – grapes, baby scallions, brandy mayonnaise and melba toast.  While the butternut squash risotto alternative sounded delicious I thought the chicken might be a slightly lighter option.  There was a wonderful truffle and sage smell from the risotto and had the weather been just a little colder I think I would have been tempted.

As it was, the smoked chicken was light, moist and really rather good in an almost retro way.  Or perhaps that was the presence of melba toast on the plate, something I haven’t seen in a restaurant for years.

There was a choice of three main dishes.  Belly of Pork is a perfect autumnal dish, served here with cauliflower puree, spring greens, crackling and red wine jus.  And homemade tortellini sounded delicious too.  But, given that we were, at the time, right in the middle of an Indian summer, I chose the Lamb Loin, with fondant potato, beans, carrots and rosemary puree, served with Madeira jus.

With the lamb a hearty pairing of Spanish Bodegas Ponce Clos Lojen Manchuela.

Finally dessert, though I don’t believe anyone actually needed more to eat.  Pear Anise with peanut butter parfait and a chocolate and Grand Marnier sauce was delightful and genuinely not too heavy.  There were appreciative noises too from the recipients of the Chocolate Pistachio Pot.

The autumn set menu (without matched wines) is available for £28 per person.  Excellent value for a charming, slightly retro evening where the setting is as important as the food and wine.

R.S. Hispaniola Bar & Restaurant, Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 5DJ