Maria Elia's chef's table

 
18 May 2012

Maria Elia, author of 'Full of Flavour' and 'The Modern Vegetarian' (both published by Kyle).

Where would you pay money to eat and how often? For a birthday or special occasion, probably Petersham Nurseries (Petersham Road, Ham Common, TW10, petershamnurseries.com) I totally adore Greg's cooking, first tasted in Melbourne at Maloufs many years ago. For something more casual, Pizarro in Bermondsey (194 Bermondsey Street, SE1, josepizarro.com) where I have been on numerous occasions.

Why? Petersham because the setting is so beautiful. The food is great but it just feels so calm and peaceful and green. It’s very special. Pizarro because it’s fun and the service is impeccable. The food is great but you could almost forgive average food if the service is that good.

Who would you take? Not too many people if I was paying at Petersham – it’s for a special occasion. My friends would come to Pizarro, though.

What do you eat there? At Petersham, I enjoyed winter tomatoes with Shankleesh, freekeh and sumac and duck bisteeya. Also the lemon posset pavlova with ginger caramel pears. They are beautifully presented dishes full of fresh clean flavours.

At Pizarro, my favourite dishes include quail with Romesco, hake with spinach and clams, then the lamb with Spanish lentils and radicchio is a stand out dish for me! The Iberico croquettes at Jose are sensational. And sherry of course - we must get rid of this idea that sherry is something you drink with your grandmother. Iit’s delicious!

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