Celebrating at Restaurant 27

Helen and Sam

Restaurant 27 is situated near the Seafront in Southsea, Portsmouth. It has been opened for a few years, but we have only just heard about it from friends who have recommended it. Being rather expensive we chose it as the best place to celebrate our daughters’ graduation and birthday.

Goat’s cheese mousse with pistachio shortbread, feta cheese and toasted cumin honey

Pre-dinner drinks were served at a table by the bar allowing us to study the menu. We were served with canapés, the waitress explained what each of them were, a process which was followed throughout the meal. After our order was taken we were shown to our table. First up was a lovely warm butternut squash ‘soup’ topped with a mousse-like parsnip whip served in a long shot glass with fresh bread rolls and butter. It was delicious. Our starters were beautifully presented and looked so pretty on the plates. The high standard of presentation was maintained as we moved onto the main course. My main meal was lamb with a beetroot mash and caramelised onions cut in half served with baby courgettes. Helen had 30 hour-cooked pork belly with sweet and sour glaze served with buttered veg and a circle of mash. As we had two pieces of each meat we swapped one as we were both undecided of which to choose. Between the main meal and the dessert we had a sorbet of lime which was a little strong and tangy but not unpleasant.

30hour belly of pork with sweet and sour glaze, roasted veg and mash.

And now we come to the desserts!

Crème Brûlée with lemon jelly, shortbread, basil and berries

Everyone had Crème Brûlée apart from me. I had chocolate mousse. The chocolate mousse was served in a cocktail glass and topped with small squares of marshmallow, caramelised toffee shards and tiny crystallized ginger cubes. The mousse was dark and rich with quite a thick consistency, not a light airy mousse. There was a slight taste of ginger but not overpowering.

Chocolate Mousse with mocha marshmallows

Friends had told us to let the restaurant know beforehand that Helen was celebrating her graduation/birthday as they were given boxes of chocolates as a gift. We did this but we were rather disappointed to discover that all she received was two home-made marshmallows in a box!

We did enjoy our food and it was well presented which we like. I wouldn’t rush back or decide to go there for my birthday but if a friend invited us along then we wouldn’t hesitate. The waiters are all very formal, a little too stiff perhaps. And the room needs to be somehow cosier and more inviting.  Restaurant 27 is Portsmouth’s only restaurant to be awarded 2 AA rosettes and although pleasant, not quiet worth the £40 a head (food only) price tag.

Living life, loving cake,

A x

1 Comment

  1. […] only from then. We’ve reviewed a few restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide, including Restaurant 27, also in Southsea, The Five Fields, just of the King’s Road in Chelsea (which was […]

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