DSTRKT, Piccadilly

Tucked away on Rupert Street in Soho, DSTRKT is small from the outside but positively cavernous on entry. Led down flight upon flight of stairs we emerged into the velvety darkness of the main restaurant, punctuated with beautiful pink lights suspended from the ceiling.Voted Best New Restaurant and Club 2012 (that’s right, it’s one of those hybrid eating/dancing establishments) I was expecting great things from one of the main players of Piccadilly’s gastronomic ‘regeneration’. Head Chef Geogi Yaneff is heading up the new spring menu – ‘Yaneff at DSTRKT London’ which is a smorgasbord of the freshest all-organic produce that Britain has to offer. After relaxing in the bar with a cocktail (mine a sweet blueberry amaretto sour with amaretto biscuit flakes adorned with a pansy) we took a quiet table in the corner and let the eating commence.I warn you now; as I reel off these dishes you may struggle to believe that this was just one meal. But believe it. There were an impressive 12 courses on the taster menu in total; no mean feat for two individuals with fairly small appetites.One of the first dishes was a Dunsyre blue cheese sphere, which we were instructed to eat in one go off a lettuce leaf (rather like a shot). Not normally a huge fan of strong cheese I was slightly nervous, but the whole thing was delicious. It burst in the mouth and gave the most incredible taste. Next up were oysters with finger lime and delicious yellow fin tuna with a subtly flavoured avocado mousse whipped so finely it melted in the mouth.

The warm asparagus salad was tender and delicious accompanied by a creamy yogurt emulsion. Next came tender jersey royals with red crab and Cornwall river sea trout with delicious celeriac purée.

We reached the halfway point and forged on bravely, fueled by delicious non-alcoholic cocktails with enormous watermelon slices, which were somewhat festive. Next to the table was venison with avocado sheets, Welsh lamb pancetta and delicious, ever so slightly crispy Gloucestershire pork belly which our rather lovely waiter informed us was everyone’s favourite.

Being something of a sweet tooth, I’d had the intriguing ‘edible chocolate soil’ on my mind since skimming through the menu right at the start and the delicious crumble of chocolate and strawberries followed by subtle pear sorbet was perfection. We may have sampled every type of meat and fish under the sun, but the real highlight for me was the abundance of unusual and delicate accompaniments in the form of avocado mouse, celeriac purée and rhubarb coleslaw, which pulled the other flavours back from the brink of seeming slightly over-rich.

We had a cheeky peek into the club area afterwards, which was still being set up and were regaled with tales of Rihanna and Jay-Z filling the place with their entourage(s). It certainly had that vibe: full of plush white sofas, and buckets simply crying out for champagne and ice. Being tucked away underground it felt like a hide out, a far cry from the streets of Soho just above. We waddled out full and happy, having gorged ourselves on food niceties from around the country. Definitely a lovely spring treat if you like your food fancy.

DSTRKT
9 Rupert St
Soho
W1D 6DG

Tel: 020 7317 9120