Aqua Shard reopens and launches the "Forgotten British Menu”

Bringing a host of obscure dishes to one of the world's most famous landmarks, the "Forgotten British Menu" offers something a little different to diners at Aqua Shard. Executive Chef Anthony Garlando enlisted the expertise of lauded food writer Matthew Fort, who allegedly spent a number of months scouring various sources (official and otherwise) to uncover some of the nation's most intriguing lost plates uncovered from different regions. Garlando and his culinary team then revamped these dishes with a touch of the contemporary polish that fans have come to expect from the Aqua restaurant group. 

The menu changes quarterly, championing the very best in seasonal ingredients while demonstrating interesting ways in which long-ago generations would have used them. At the time of review, we dined on "Lady Llandover's salt duck", which was served with goat's curd and pickled cauliflower - unusual but it worked; easily our favourite dish of the meal. The delicate native lobster dish that came next was in fact inspired by Mrs Fort, Matthew Fort's own mother, packing a well-balanced punch with a touch of Yorkshire mustard. The perfectly cooked roasted lamb saddle was given a novel twist with onion jam and smoked ham, while the Windermere tart's sharp gooseberry and summer fruit notes were softened with a scoop of coconut ice cream. 

For autumn, expect such dishes as roasted cep mushrooms on toast with mustard dressing and marigold leaves, followed by a succulent Cornish red mullet with crisped potatoes, lemon and a white port sauce. Red-legged partridge pudding sounds nothing short of intriguing, combining confit leg, vegetables and a herb-infused sauce in a suet-based dough, while pudding will take the form of a fruity Nesselrode ice pudding. 

The "Forgotten British Menu" is available Monday-Thursday priced at £78 p/p, with an optional £50 wine pairing supplement. aquashard.co.uk