terroirs

fruit trees are in blossom but it is still cold enough for gloves. london is very pretty on nights like these.

went to the terroirs restaurant and wine bar (http://www.terroirswinebar.com/) near trafalgar square. very french, in a good way (give or take a insincerely cheerful waiter or two). we ate: a terrine with pistachios and duck rillette (him), smoked eel with celeriac remoulade (me), roast quail (both), and cheese. we drank burgundy and coffee.

i woke up this morning thinking about the quail with pancetta, artichokes and gremolata we had for the main. it was baked in its own little lidded pot, swimming in savoury juices. the waitress caught us both sucking on bones with napkins tucked in collars, cutlery abandoned on the side. don't think she minded.

altogether - a very nice place, and not expensive though i imagine it sounds it, from reading this.

PS what's with the gremolata anyway? didn't know a mixture of parsley, lemon zest and garlic could be so good. might have to anoint some meat or fish with it this week.