Emma Winter Warming comforting food at Malmaison
Winter weather means hearty and comforting food and Chez Mal certainly seem to have this on their new winter menu. We joined a gaggle of Glasgow press who were lucky enough to try out some many of the dishes from the new Malmaison menu. Read on, or click here, for a look at some of these dishes.
Quick links to menus:
Menu
A la carte menu
Vegan Menu
Gluten Free Menu
Prix Fixe Menu
Food
Starters
Fried pickles (£4.50) to nibble on to begin our feast. Chunks of crisp vegetables with a vinegary tang coated in a tempura batter. We could have happily have nibbled on these all night.
Thai pumpkin and coconut soup (£5.50) next. Thick and creamy soup – it actually has rice and sour cream under the surface so it is very filling with a good kick, not too much that it blows your head off but enough for that warm tingle. Just what’s needed in this weather!
Sweet and sticky Korean tiger prawns (£11.50) with toasted sesame seeds, spring onion and a coriander salad. Thumbs up from both of us for this one. Large plump prawns, sweet and sticky indeed with the toasty sesame seeds adding a umami yum!
Main courses
Crab and sea scallop risotto (£18.50), carnaroli rice, white crab meat, crab bisque, samphire & pan seared scallops. A thick and creamy risotto. One to have if you are a seafood fan as the bisque is fishy and has lots of scallops. 😍
Lamb shank bhuna (£16.50). An impressive big hunk of meat on the bone served with pilaf rice, grilled Indian bread & yoghurt. Tender flaky lamb in a medium-hot sauce with pomegranate seeds.
We also sampled a version of the bhuna from the separate vegan menu, this time with Roast aubergine, winter squash and red pepper bhuna (£15). This was served alongside pilau rice and grilled Indian bread.
Pan-fried sea bass (£14.50) with winter ratatouille and chive butter sauce. Perfectly crisp skin and moist fish on top of a creamy lightly chive flavoured buttery sauce. Mrs Foodie would have preferred some mash instead of ratatouille (but that’s because she isn’t a huge fan of cooked carrot). Mr Foodie thought the veggies were cooked well and they and the fish went nicely with the buttery sauce.
Braised shin of beef & mushroom pie (£15), smoked mash & homemade gravy. Looking a bit like a large pork pie, this was a dense pie packed with beef and mushrooms and a good firm pastry too. Ideal with a glass of Rioja.
Valhrona dark chocolate mousse (£6.50), honeycomb, cocoa nib tuile & crème fraîche. A large indulgent portion of chocolate mousse topped with chunks of honeycomb and intense cocoa and a dollop of crème fraîche made this a desirable dessert.
Warm apple pie (£6.50) with Yorkshire rhubarb compote & custard. A ‘tart’ tart. Quite a ‘fluffy’ pastry texture, a bit like a frangipane. We enjoyed this a lot.
Mulled wine poached fruits & vanilla panna cotta (£6.50) with toasted almonds. A pudding ideal for Mrs Foodie. The pannacotta was clotted cream-like in texture. Smooth and luxurious, perfect not like a wobbly, tasteless jelly that we’ve had in other places. Wintery mulled fruits added a tang to the pannacotta.
Verdict
Like with previous Mal menu launches, the new dishes are impressive and filling. The menu covers a selection of tantalising choices to cater to all tastebuds, as there’s comfort food, seafood and French, Thai and Korean-inspired dishes. For vegan and gluten-intolerances there are separate menus and of course there is still steak, burgers and bar food. Good stuff. 😋
Where
Malmaison Glasgow
278 West George Street
Glasgow
G2 4LL
Chez Mal Reservations
