Gilgamesh | Restaurant Review

 

Last month Russell and I visited the internationally famous Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh to review their new set menu. 

Located in Camden Stables Market the restaurant is probably one of the most easiest recognisable places in the city thanks to it's unique decor and host a celebrity fans that are regularly papped outside.

Upon first impressions, I have to admit we weren't wowed by the interior. We felt it is overshadowed by its sister restaurant Shaka Zulu (read my review here) and with a view of a railway track and a rather dirty fabric roof it wasn't the glamorous venue we had envisioned. 

The new three course £55 set menu included a sharing starter of edamame, Salmon sashimi, prawn spring rolls and their famous duck and watermelon salad. The sashimi was served over dry ice which gave a buzz of excitement and provided some great picture opportunists. If you're planning visiting Gilgamesh you have to try the duck and watermelon salad, which honestly was out of this world! 

 By the time our main course arrived the venue was glowing orange with indoor heaters making it rather hard to photograph our dishes, so please excuse the poor quality snaps. 

Russell chose the slow cooked beer short ribs with parsley and chive potato for his main dish, which was cooked to perfection. I opted for the Thai yellow vegetable curry on the waiters suggestion and was pleased with my choice as it was delicious and filled to the brim with tofu and vegetables. 

We also ordered a side of pak choi fried with garlic and ginger which gave a much needed crunch to our dishes and a bowl of chicken Singapore style noodles, which unfortunately was so drenched oil it was inedible (for a £12 side-dish this wasn't what I expected).  

Dessert looked utterly beautiful when it arrived at our table. Russell tucked into a deconstructed yuzu meringue tart whilst I enjoyed a burnt milk panna cotta with pistachio sponge and lime sorbet.

The service at the restaurant was attentive and friendly, however we couldn't help noticing that many of the waiters and bar staff who weren't busy were walking laps of the restaurant whilst chatting to each other, which was a little off putting as they would squeeze past our table every 5 minuets. 

Although the set menu might seem like a steal for £55 each at such a notorious restaurant, once you add drinks, sides and a 12.5% service charge the bill is likely to come close to £200. We couldn't help but feel that our money would be better spent elsewhere, so I'm sad to say we won't be returning in the near future, although it was a wonderful experience and will be a great talking point with our foodie friends.