Today we’re heading out into the pretty suburbs of Greater London – to the Surbiton/Kingston area. It’s to enjoy the international tapas menu at 360 Restaurant.
Well, the restaurant also does the usual sort of a la carte menu but a tapas lunch is right up my street. And there were six dishes on the menu, so the perfect amount for two.
Actually, portions turned out to be pretty generous so our tapas lunch turned into something of a feast, with some old favourites and inventive new dishes to savour.
What’s on the menu
Like the olive ascolane. These little masterpieces are stuffed olives surrounded with a crunchy crumb and served with shaved Parmesan. A real surprise with the great mixes of textures and flavours and a juicy olive centre.
Tiger prawns and garlic are one of my absolute favourites – a match made in heaven. Tossed in the classic garlic, chilli and olive oil combo and served with freshly made, flavoursome sourdough. Pretty as a picture and melt-in-the-mouth, too.
Crunchy truffle aranchini and a delightful dip – another first for me – Parmesan cream. A really great combo with risotto flavours and ingredients in a different form.
When you have great ingredients, keep it simple. All you need to do with Galician patron peppers is fry until blackened and dust with sea salt. I love these peppers with their sweet and spicy flavour, I could have polished off the whole bowl myself.
Another fishy option with the sweetness of lemon sole goujons. With sides of tartare sauce and a bowl of crushed, minted peas. Fish and peas, well you can’t go wrong, another match made in heaven.
Our final dish is a meaty offering. The grilled lamb cutlets on a bed of saffron potato mash drizzled with a rich, silken jus. The only downside of tapas is that you only get a small amount of every dish (obviously, that’s the idea) – I wouldn’t have said no to a main-course size portion of this one.
There’s also a great selection of exotic-sounding mains and a comprehensive grill menu.
With its recently refurbished stylish interior and great range of dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world, this is a great local venue. Lucky locals.
Today’s price point
Six tapas dishes which were ample for a delightful lunch for two came to £46.35.
360 Restaurant is at Kingston Tower, Portsmouth Road, Kingston KT6 5QQ.
