Last month we spent a week in Jersey looking after my Brothers' kiddies for a few nights while they went away, and then, as a thank you, they shouted us a night in a swish hotel while they looked after Madeleine for the night.
We wanted to make sure we used our free time wisely and wanted to go out for a special dinner that we wouldn't ordinarily take a toddler to. We did some research and I was excited to try Ormer, a Michelin Star restaurant by Chef Shaun Rankin.
It was our very first Michelin dining experience, and we've since decided that we'd like to collect stars now!
Ormer is the perfect fusion of France and Jersey. It is sophisticated seafood in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Without a toddler to be getting ready to get out the door we found ourselves with all kinds of free time and got to the restaurant ahead of our booking time (after having stopped for a martini on the way too) and so sat at the very cool Ormer Bar for a cocktail before we were seated. I started with an Aviator (gin cocktail with violet and maraschino cherries) and Pete had a smooth and rich rum.
And then had a melon cosmopolitan too!
I hadn't told Ormer that I was gluten intolerant until we were there, but they were brilliant about it and went out of their way to make sure I was looked after. They even had my own fresh bread to choose from when Pete was brought his artisan rolls.
Before our entrees were brought out, we had the "Chefs' taster" first. I didn't photograph my pea soup, because, well, it looked like most other Pea soups you've ever seen (but tasted much better than mine!); but Petes' Taster was amazing!!! It was mozzarella fried in a chorizo crumbing. Darn you gluten. I had a little nibble because you can't combine chorizo and mozzarella in my orbit and me not have at least a taste, and boy was it good! Definitely going to try replicating this one, sans gluten.
Our entrees came and were phenomenal. I had the scallops with parmesan crust, served with a cauliflower puree and chargrilled caesar flavours. I was blown away by the intense flavours and also by the size of our portions. I even had enough scallops to even share one with my darling Husband!
Pete ordered the crab cannelloni. The mango and grapefruit salad was divine and the perfect accompaniments for the crab. Not the most manly presentation, but I loved that it looked like art on a plate!
We were dining at Ormer on the Monday Bank Holiday and so pretty much had the restaurant to ourselves! Which meant we also had outstanding service. We were sitting near the kitchen and I enjoyed watching the chef's dance their magic through the kitchen window. It was incredible how quiet the kitchen was, the chefs were all so systematic and it was like watching a more delicious production of swan lake!
Our mains came and again, we were dazzled! I had the Duck Breast served with buckwheat, salted beetroot, celeriac, Pistachio crumb, citrus glaze. It was salted and packed with flavour. The duck was perfectly cooked and the pistachio crumbing was heavenly.
Pete had the Pork Belly, served with chorizo and tomato puree, pressed Asian pear, grilled calamari, chorizo jam, fennel and apple. Pork belly, calamari AND chorizo, oh my. Best cooked pork belly I've ever had. It was insanely tender and perfectly seasoned.
Served with Jersey Royal potatoes of course!
Ormer was amazing. The food was delicious and generous. The service was friendly and professional. It was one of those meals that we couldn't stop talking about how good each mouthful was, as we were eating it. If you find yourself in Jersey looking for some fine dining, give Ormer a try, it is wonderful.
I'm going to write a post about Ormer's sister deli store located next door soon too. We ate there the very next day, and it is deserving of its own post too, so I'll write about that next week!