SEPTEMBER

STEPHEN TOMAN,
OX, BELFAST
Stephen is the chef and
co-owner at Belfast’s modern,
seasonally-driven one-
Michelin-starred sensation,
OX. @oxbelfast
“As a chef, you dissect everything
but you’re there to enjoy it – I didn’t
go in with a clipboard and pen.”
EAT
The Muddlers Club, Belfast
“The cool kid: dark 80s feel, loud music,
amazing cocktails and very fresh, seasonal
food. The beef carpaccio with tarragon, egg
yolk and burnt carrot is quite unusual.” Mains
from £14; themuddlersclubbelfast.com
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay,
London SW3
“This is a special occasion place – I ate there
in 2008 before my honeymoon. Gordon
Ramsay’s restaurants are the crown jewels
of the UK food scene and, having grown up
reading his books, to eat those classic dishes
such as his lobster, langoustine and salmon
ravioli, was amazing. I went on a beautiful
summer’s day, the room felt fresh and it’s more
relaxed than you might think. You’re a wee bit
nervous going to a three-Michelin-starred place
like that, but you’re made to feel at ease.
As a chef, you tend to dissect everything,
but you’re there to enjoy it – I didn’t go in with
a clipboard and pen. I had the tasting menu
and I particularly remember the lamb with
these beautifully turned artichokes that had
a Provençal garnish of olives and herbs. It was
quite classical in its technique, but current: very
fresh in its flavours. The plating is very exact
and on beautiful crockery. It’s all very confident.
There was some theatre, too; the petit fours
were white chocolate truffles served on dry ice.
There are other places that I’m still dying to get
to, such as Simon Rogan’s Fera and The Fat
Duck.” Three courses, £110;
gordonramsayrestaurants.com
Restaurant
Gordon
Ramsay
PHOTOGRAPHS: ELAINE HILL, JOHN CAREY
Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
“Dominic Jack is one of the UK’s best chefs.
His red mullet tartare is phenomenal.” Three
courses, £65; castleterracerestaurant.com »
September 2016 Omagazine.com 83