maze

London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square

10-13 Grosvenor Square

London W1K 6JP

+ 44 (0) 20 7592 1373

Wines:

NV Gosset Brut Grand Rosé    91

Food:

Sea bass, shiso, ponzu, truffle oil

Spicy tuna roll, cucumber, jalapeno miso

Sashimi moriawase, served on crushed ice

Spicy tuna tartare; chili garlic, sesame oil, wonton crisps

Sushi and Champagne. It doesn't get much better than that in my book. This recent lunch at maze in London was terrific.

It is great to be back in London, a city I have spent a fair amount of time in over the years. Maze, one of the many outposts of Gordon Ramsay’s global empire, is located in the Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, in one of my favorite London neighborhoods. Sushi and sashimi are also a welcome change of pace after a week in Chianti Classico, where the cuisine is hearty and rich in meat. All of our food is delicious, but I especially like the spicy tuna tartare and the selection of sashimi, both of which are pristine.

 

Spicy tuna tartare; chili garlic, sesame oil, wonton crisps

Gosset’s NV Brut Grand Rosé is the perfect lunch wine. Bracing, dry and beautifully perfumed, the Grand Rosé pairs beautifully with sushi and sashimi. I have to remind myself to not indulge too much, because this is the kind of Champagne that two or three people can polish off in about five minutes. As always, I find the blocked malo Gosset house style really blossoms at the table.

A quick but delicious double espresso rounds out this relaxing lunch. It’s time to get back to work. Kudos to the entire staff at maze and the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square for providing such outstanding food and service. I am sure we will be back.

-- Antonio Galloni