Menu Tasting

With the opening of the café fast approaching we decided it was time to actually sample some of the food that Niroch was planning on serving. To add some credibility to the event we invited Lee Streeton, Niroch’s ex head chef and his beautiful girlfriend Jane. Niroch wanted some constructive criticism outside the usual “holy crap that’s awesome” and “amore the porketa you cooked last week was better” and Lee was only happy to help. This was also a chance for us to finally see how the food would be presented to the general public. Niroch had recently received a shipment of the utensils, plates and boxes we would be using and we knew all of you would want to see why Gastro café was going to be different from any other café you have visited.

· Baby Gem, Smoked Mackerel & Beetroot Salad

This was a huge hit with everyone in the room. The saltiness of the Mackerel complimented the Beetroot perfectly.



· Salt Beef Salad

Salt beef sandwiches were always going to be the centerpiece of the menu but the idea to add a salt beef salad was something Niroch was playing with. After we had a chance to try the salad we knew it had to be added to the menu. The sharpness of the mustard was a little too much for Jane and Sere but the guys loved it.

SANDWICHES

· Dorset Crab

In my humble opinion this sandwich is going to be Gastro Café’s bestseller. The crab is fresh and Nero’s decision to keep it simple is going to have people coming back for more.



· Salt Beef

From day one Priyan and Niroch wanted the Salf Beef Sandwiches to be Gastro Cafes pride and joy. The beef had to be braised for 5 hours but it was worth the wait. Soft Caraway bread, quality slow braised beef, mustard and a pickle…need we say more?



SRI LANKAN CURRIES

We were served not one, not two but three curries (Beef, Pork and Mutton). How could we open a café without paying homage to our heritage? At this point we were completely stuffed but miraculously each of the dishes were soon empty.

And there you have it.. Each of use were basically comatose for the two hours following the culinary extravaganza but it was considered a complete success. Lee and Jane were blown away by Niroch’s skills and Priyan’s cost cutting ideas. Hats off to Niroch..the food looked and tasted amazing. The packaging looked perfect and we finally got some pictures to share with you guys.

So lets have it ! What do you guys think? Does the food look good? Be brutally honest please..We are all adults and can take some criticism I think.