No longer are we satisfied dining with simply the view of four restaurant walls or even the atmosphere of fellow diners around and beside us. As more and more high-rise buildings sprout, competing for grandeur over the predominantly low rise streets of London – so do their restaurants. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years you’ll be aware of the Shard which boasts its array of sky high culinary offerings; including Oblix.
One question that plays on my mind is whether Oblix’s dishes match up to its daringly competitive setting. We’re thrilled by our intimate table right beside the glass and as we take our seats it almost feels as we are sat on the city itself. Tearing our eyes away from the glisten of the big smoke we cast our eyes down Oblix’s tasting menu which attempts to stand its own ground.
Starting as they mean to go on – truffle flat bread with pancetta and ricotta paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs French Champagne, deliciously elegant and a distraction from our sensory sight overload directly to the taste buds as we nod in agreement. Equally impressive is their lobster and scallop ceviche finished with jalapeno and coriander whereby Oblix’s sophistication of ingredients start to rear their head to us, washed down with a glasses of Riesling.
More fish and coriander combinations with the third course of BBQ black cod and coriander salsa. I can’t advertise myself as any lover of coriander..far from it to be honest, but the subtle use of the herb is executed brilliantly; complemented by a South African chardonnay. Oblix’s tasting menu plateaus at the josper grilled Lake District sirloin and beef tenderloin and is as equally as impressive as it reads on the small menu. Who knew the Lake District had such talent for producing meat worthy of dining in one of London’s highest level restaurants? The tenderloin was served with a less locally produced Argentinean Malbec but a match that would be tricky to beat nethertheless.
Moving from savoury to over to sweet, ‘the big sweet one’ almost sounds as if it has been dropped out of an American diner menu. It lives up to its name and is worth digging into if you’re accustomed to a sweeter tooth and is paired with an Italian Vin Santo, Castello d’albola. For a £5 supplement Oblix will also include their cheese board to round things off in true style.
I understand why the Shard has and continues to make such a noise, and dining in the sky has peaked here at Oblix. Their tasting menus start at £78 all the way up to £145 per person for their premium matching wine menu. Moving away from this Oblix has also recently expanded their offerings into brunch and afternoon tea which also may be worthy of another trip up the lift to.
A true sense of special occasion and celebration, look away from the wrap around views and you’ll notice fellow diners are up there for one special reason or another. An evening that plays on all of the senses from taste and texture to the sound of the open kitchen over our shoulders and not forgetting the sight of the view, Oblix is undeniably special. True, it does essentially all boil down to its setting but the food is arguably as impressive.
Address: The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, 020 7268 6700, oblixrestaurant.com
Image at the very top of the article credit: Richard Southall @ Emphasis Photography
