CERU AT LONDON RIVIERA

My favourite time of the year has finally started - SUMMER with all the street food festivals, pop-ups and nice weather (on my to do list this year there is London riviera, Streatham's food festival, Pop Brixton, Taste of London , Street Feast...)

Last night I was invited to try the London riviera pop-up featuring Ceru.

Ceru London opened on  the 1st of June for 5 months on the Thame's riverside (right next to the City Hall). Executive chef Tom Kime is sharing his love for street food and vibrant flavours from Levant countries (Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel). From Sabrina Ghayour's supperclub to Chinatown's restaurant Palomar, I am a huge fan of Levantine cuisine, so when I heard about Ceru's pop up I was very excited to be invited to their bloggers events to try their dishes.
Yesterday I didn't have lunch before the event (that's something I learnt from my Sabrina Ghayour's supperclub experience - DO NOT EAT before a Middle Eastern feast, otherwise you'll feel full half way through the meal).

The meal started with some dips and freshly baked greek pita bread. We had the choice between three different dips: Pancar (roast beetroot, cinnamon, yoghurt, garlic and pistachio nuts), Houmous (topped with chickpeas, green chilli and lemon) and Muhammara (roasted red pepper and walnut). Usually my favourite is always houmous but this time the Muhammara dip won, it had such a nice sweet taste and was so moreish.

Pancar, Muhammara and Houmous

As an apéritif we had a 'Berry nice to see you' (Cîroc red berry, Cîroc pineapple, pomegranate and lemonade) - probably my favourite cocktail of the night, it was so easy to drink, it reminded me grenadine syrup (probably a dangerous drink if you have too much).

As a starter we had some herbed zucchini and feat cheese fritters, I loved this dish, the fritters were soft and crispy at the same time, there were also perfectly flavoured and spiced with cumin, cayenne pepper, dill and mint. The yoghurt served on top balanced the whole dish.

 Herbed zucchini and feta cheese fritters

We also had the crispy spiced squid served with a garlic yoghurt dressing. The batter was very light, spiced and crispy (and gluten-free). I think this dish was good but in a small quantity as the taste became a bit too salty at the end.

Crispy spiced squid

Our second cocktail was the 'Riviera Ginger Mule' (Cîroc vodka, ginger, lemon and demerara sugar). I really liked the mix of ginger and vodka. 

Everyone's favourite was the slow roast lamb shoulder flavoured with shawarma spices. The shoulder had been beautifully spiced and slow cooked. The meat was very tender and juicy with a chewy crust. The pomegranate and pistachio dressing had sharpness to the dish. This dish was a 10/10! I could have had the whole plate for myself. 

Slow roast lamb shoulder with shawarma spices

As sides we were offered some Spiced roasted carrots served with yoghurt and pine nuts and Roasted cauliflower served with walnuts and pomegranate. 

I enjoyed the carrot dish. It was an original way to sublime the carrot, bringing this vegetarian dish to another level.

 Spiced roasted carrots, yoghurt and pine nuts

I didn't enjoy the second side, it was an interesting way to present and cook the cauliflower but for me it didn't work...nothing to do really with the dish itself but more with the vegetable... I'm not a cauliflower fan ! I keep trying to eat cauliflower but it seems I never get a spark of love for them.

Roasted cauliflower, walnuts and pomegranate

The last cocktail was the 'Citrus Bulleit' (Bulleit rye, Aperol, lemon juice, orange juice and lemonade), it wasn't my cup of tea, it was too sour ! I also don't like cocktails with Aperol.

I'm usually not a massive fan of dessert but when it comes to ice cream...I'm your girl! Tom Kime served us a delicious Baklava ice cream topped with roast nut brittle and burnt honey caramel. It was a good and refreshing way to end the meal. I could have personally had another scoop or two of it. 

Overall I really enjoyed my experience at London Riviera, it offered a lovely atmosphere with nice cocktails and music for after work drinks, and great dishes from Tom Kime to enjoy as small cocktails snacks or dinner. I have already planned to come back very soon with my boyfriend (another Levantine cuisine aficionados!) and I am 100% slow roast lamb shoulder will be part of the party !!! 

9/10

Ceru London at London Riviera

Queen's walk, More London

London SE1 2DB

Twitter: @CeruLondon & @London_Riviera