Birthday at The Bingham
Esher is now full of mouthwatering restaurants from Italian to Lebanese, Spanish to Thai, Indian to Nepalese but for my birthday I wanted to go somewhere even more special. After a little thought my mind wandered to The Bingham. Nestled by Richmond Bridge with an award winning restaurant, it's known as a restaurant with rooms rather than a boutique hotel.
The restaurant is small and intimate and once seated you are brought a glass of champagne which sets the tone for a real treat. The menu poses a dilema because their speciality is the gourmet tasting menu which consists of 6 mystery courses and TPH (the photographer husband) was really pushing for this. I have to admit to being tempted and somewhat intrigued but as it was my birthday I wanted to eat what I knew I'd enjoy!
To start I chose Scallops with cured pork belly, endive and lime caramel whilst TPH had Yellow Fin Tuna with Wasabi ponzu and compressed melon. Both dishes were beautiifully presented and for me the perfect portion for a starter although TPH was starving, having been at a football match all afternoon, and stated he could have eaten the tablecloth too. For my main the Line Caught Cod with summer truffle, girroles and chicken jus was utterly devine, so much so that I'm unable to remember for the life of me what TPH had. I do remember that the lovely, knowledgeable & very perceptive waitress brought him an extra plate of vegetables!
Whilst TPH enjoyed a selection of cheeses I, happily full, forwent a pudding but devoured the homemade sweets served along with my fresh mint tea.
If you want something a little special or a little different please try The Bingham, I love it!