Many have grown fond of Monica Galetti, watching her as the fierce female judge on Masterchef the Professionals. Food critics knew her for her important role as senior sous chef at 2-star restaurant Le Gavroche. With her first solo restaurant, Mere, recently open in London’s Fitzrovia I imagine she will now be hoping for the same esteemed reputation, but for her own cooking.
I visited the smart eatery last week with a group of bloggers to try out a menu of Monica’s favourite dishes.
The menu for the evening included:
- Tortellini with Wild Mushroom and Marmite Butter
- Steam Skrei Cod with Jerusalem Artichoke, Monk’s Beard and Seaweed Emulsion
- (substituted with Tomato Tart for vegetarians)
- Rhubarb Glazed Breast of Squab with Ras el Hanout Pastilla, Cauliflower and Chard
- A Selection of three artisan cheeses with Red Pepper Jam and Seeded Cracker
- Chocolate Cremeux with Peanut Praline and Roasted Cocoa Nib Ice Cream
The menu at Mere indicates the French influences of Monica’s training with a hint of Samoa, where her family are from. The basic benchmark of fine dining is present at Mere, but there is also a warmth and energy which illustrates how much this solo venture means to Monica.
The first course was perhaps my favourite of the entire night, perfectly made parcels of pasta with woody wild mushrooms and a salty, aromatic marmite butter sauce, it was delicious.
I always think a good vegetarian option is a sign of a brilliant chef… the Tomato Tart was beautifully constructed; a light and vibrant dish garnished with seasonal salad leaves.
For main course, neat portions of pigeon arrived coated in a rich and indulgent sauce, with a smooth and creamy cauliflower puree. It was accompanied by a mouthful of Ras el Hanout Pastilla, gently spiced with a satisfying crunch from the thin layers of pastry.
Chocolate fans around our table coo-ed and wooped as the chocolate desserts were placed in front of us all. The cremeux mousse was even lighter than I expected, topped with a sugary peanut crumb and subtly flavoured cocoa nib ice-cream.
Wine throughout our meal was immaculately paired with the recipes, we tried delicious varieties from Greece, France and New Zealand. Monica met her sommelier husband at Le Gavroche and unsurprisingly David joined her to start their Mere adventure together.
Mere is a lovely restaurant which suits this upmarket area of London, showcasing Monica’s passion for food and skill in the kitchen. I’m looking forward to returning to try more of her menu.
More information and book a table at Mere here.