The Saltoun Supper Club is home of Arno Maasdorp.
Every Wednesday and Thursday, he graciously shares his evening with strangers and takes them on a culinary and philosophical journey.
Situated on the top floor of a Brixton terrace, we clambered up some steep steps, which yield and sing a comforting note of well used timber, and lead us into a dining room containing an eclectic collection of artefacts. An array of traditional African woven baskets lined the wall. The room has a French provincial feel, intercepted by modern art; and amongst this, is a fabulous black and white still portrait of Arno, regaling a fantastically thick, velvety moustache.
We were served a scrumptious basket of sour dough bread, and a salad with jamon to start. Gnocchi with truffle and cauliflower was served next; followed by a Welsh lamb dish and dessert of roasted pineapple and mint ice cream.
None of these were as visually spectacular as I had hoped, given that Arno is a food photographer and caterer by day and all the amazing reviews we had read about this Supper Club. But nonetheless, the dishes were satisfying and the flavours were most definitely delicious.
Following an interlude and a wander around the gorgeous Brixton flat, Arno and his assistant John, pulled up some chairs and joined us for a drink at our table, accompanied with an endless supply of a chocolaty assortment of petit fours, and as the evening came to a close (at 1am on a Wednesday night), my most vivid recollections were not of the food, because simply it was not about the food; but more the sense of spirit and camaraderie the evening exuded.
Arno prefers to refer to SSC as a club as opposed to a restaurant. His simple philosophy is about good food, sourced sustainably, and good company in a genuinely hospitable space.
For a very different night out with decent food and great company, I would definitely recommend that you get in touch with Arno and secure a table at the Saltoun Supper Club http://www.eatwithyoureyes.net
For the full review and pictures from our evening, please refer to http://www.gourmetbelly.wordpress.com
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