Until the 30th of January £17.50 gets visitors to the Design Museum's Blueprint Cafe a Burns Night feast of yummy proportions and proper Scottish favour. A candlelit, riverside window sampling (upon invitation by the restaurant) of the menu pleased our palates thoroughly, while a few bites from the non-Burns menu had us keen to return for more.
Starting with a simple, wholesome smoked haddock broth, we were glad for this warming and chocked full bowl and appreciated the chef's discrimination which allowed the broth's ingredients to stand on their own without the distractions of too much salt or over seasoning. The haggis (oh the haggis) was as savoury as any we've had in London and disappeared far too quickly. Served upon a creamy mound of clapshot, we'd give an 'aye' to it being a regular winter feature on this resto's seasonal menu. Not up for the haggis? That's a pity; but a beetroot salad with mustard, horseradish and soft boiled egg substitute from this week's non-Scotch menu was more than adequate at proving you don't always have to add meat for a dish to be savoury.
Almost overdoing it, onglet, potato cake, pickled walnuts (weird but nice) and horseradish was a lovely combo with plenty of robust flavour. For those eschewing the onglet, the brill, mussel,crab broth and rouille was tasty and ample too. Shortcake, rhubarb and vanilla cream offered a pleasant end to our feast.
Alongside our dinner, a most quaff-able bottle of Riesling Qba Trocken, Hermann Donnhoff, 2009 (£39) held deliciously steady through all courses (well, maybe it wasn't ideal for the onglet but it was hardly an off-putting match). Holding up the integrity of the haddock broth and cutting through the fatty, peppery haggis with precision, it's one we noted for future splurges. A commendable range of wines by the glass and bottle ensures that Blueprint diners don't have to splash out though (or indeed can big it up to a much great extent than the 40 quid price mark).
Blueprint Cafe is located upstairs at the Design Museum, 28 Shad Thames, SE1 2YD. Whether in need of some nosh after taking in an exhibition or simply looking for a quality meal with a fantastic riparian view, it's a good one to consider. Visit the restaurant online at http://www.danddlondon.com/restaurants/blueprint_cafe/home.
Photo/Chris Osburn
