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Conker your world: Chestnut menu at Rivea London
As a trip to the Bulgari Hotel will reveal, there's more to that old chestnut than you might think
Pardon the pun, but it is fair to say the Italians and French are truly nuts about this most humble of ingredients. As autumn rolls in and harvest season arrives, the chestnut inspires celebrations across the Riviera, as communities gather for annual "fetes de la chataigne" (chestnut festivals) in villages and towns throughout October. Here, local producers showcase their fare, transformed into delicacies such as tooth-shatteringly sweet marron glaces or simply freshly roasted – irresistible based on aroma alone.
It's little surprise, then, that chestnuts have provided the inspiration for a new collection of dishes at Rivea London, Alain Ducasse's restaurant in the Bulgari Hotel, which brings together the finest of the two European cuisines. The four-course menu, created by head chef Alexandre Nicolas, showcases the versatile foodstuff in a variety of forms, both sweet and savoury. Starters see a choice of a delicate chestnut veloute with ricotta ravioli, or gravadlax accompanied by chestnut blinis, while for the main courses, the nuts are paired with roasted sea scallops or the earthier flavours of slow-cooked boar shoulder. The dessert elevates the classic vacherin, layering crunchy meringue and ice cream in a modern take that also incorporates pears and – you guessed it – chestnuts.
The menu comes with a glass of Chateau Unang Ventoux Blanc 2015 or, to get completely into the spirit, opt for a bottle of Pietra, a Corsican chestnut beer.
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