divide and conquer

I am a big fan of Anthony Bourdain. I like his blunt, quirky sense of humour and how he verbalises some things on television that some people only think about. I became especially familiar with Mr Bourdain and 'No Reservations' when we returned back from holidays a few months ago to find that our satellite dish had nearly blown off our roof, rendering the TV utterly useless.

For a week or so when we were without cable TV, I started watching 'No Reservations' via YouTube, streaming it through our internet TV - the joys of technology! These episodes, were a godsend and helped me pass a substantial amount of time. It's also left me wanting to eat where Bourdain has eaten, which won't be very good for the hip pocket or the waistline - hmm.

I came to hear of DiverXO through one of Bourdain's episodes on Madrid. Curious, I looked it up and saw some glowing reviews. It had also attained its second Michelin star this year after only being opened since 2007.

I made a booking for Mr GluttonousGoat's birthday seeing we were in Madrid anyways. There are hardly any photos on the web about this place. Many reviews give a description of the dishes consumed, but the chef prefers diners not to take any pictures in the hope to maintain the element of surprise for other future diners. I kept this in mind but packed my camera nonetheless. Maybe I should be so lucky!

When we arrived at the restaurant for our seating. I hesitantly asked the maitre'd if I was allowed to take photos, half expecting a resounding 'no', I was pleasantly taken aback when she enthusiastically exclaimed that I can take as many photos as I liked. Apparently the ban on photos has been lifted - bingo!

I cannot say I remembered much of the menu. All I recalled was that we elected for Menu DiverXO - which consisted of 11 courses and a whole host of other side 'snacks'. At 120 euros per head it wasn't overly expensive to stomach.

I didn't feel this was your run-of-the-mill Michelin starred establishment. Mainly because the food is more Asian orientated with Spanish influences and the fact that all the waiters were dressed rather casually but in line with the theme of the restaurant - Asian styled long black culottes and black long sleeved tops - I felt like I was eating at the Temple of Zen.

some prawn crackers to nibble on

edamame replaced the traditional offering of bread

green tea with strawberry pieces

baked mussels with breadcrumbs & tobiko

deep fried fish bones, prawn heads

raw baby squid - flesh is sweeter than it looks

dipped in tom yum like broth

hmm - sago of some sort

with more tom yum broth

fried, crispy fish skin

smoked eel with tomato and fish

bao stuffed with mushrooms & thin ham jerky

smoked tuna belly with fried wontons

fried duck tongues and sweet breads

'peking duck'

glazed monkfish with purple potato sheets

Apologies for the pictures with no captions. I tried my best to remember what they were but my short term memory fails me once again!

diverxo

calle pensamiento 28, madrid, 28020

tel: +34 915 700 766

http://diverxo.com/

a social setting

Firstly, let me apologise for being absent these past four weeks. You see, I have a very good reason. I went home to Sydney to see my family - sans hubby. He always draws the short straw.

I always dread the flight home. For all you fellow Aussies - I am sure you share my pain - the 23 hour flying pain that is. Unfortunately, we're not rich enough or frivolous with our money to indulge in business class (although hubby did suggest I upgrade on my way back from Sydney - to Premium Economy that is, not Business. I scoffed at his suggestion), so I suffered the cramp confines of economy in silence.

We journeyed to London before my long haul home so we can visit our close friend who recently gave birth to a baby boy. Well that was the excuse we gave, but secretly we flew to London to eat.

I've been meaning to try the new Jason Atherton establishment that was Pollen Street Social. Opened in 2011 to resounding success, I tend to abhor anything associated with Gordon Ramsey. Jason Atherton was the executive chef at Maze in London - A Gordon Ramsey establishment (ugh) and was smart enough to leave and branch out on his own. A very wise decision it has proven to be.

Mr GluttonousGoat and I sampled its fare on a sunny Saturday afternoon, when London was experiencing a rather early spring day.
Service was professional, efficient but a tad too stuffy for my liking. The food, however was the star of the show and definitely worth a repeat visit. I especially liked MrGluttonousGoat's 'full english breakfast'.

scallop ceviche, cucumber & radish, yuzu soy dressing, apple

full english breakfast - small but tasty!

roasted red mullet, spanish prawn rice, cockles, seaweed
potatoes with samphire

spanish prawn rice - served on the side

black angus ribeye, oxtail, charred eggplant,
smoked potatoes & carrots

pollen street social
8-10 pollen street, london, w1s 1nq
tel: +44 207 290 7600
http://www.pollenstreetsocial.com/