Lunch at Galvin at Windows

view from the bar  click for a larger image

I had a lovely meal with my friend Ann on Wednesday. We went to Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of the Park Lane Hilton. It has a lot of big windows and panoramic views over London. Our table faced towards Hyde Park, the Serpentine and the Royal Albert Hall.

We both chose the same starter and main course but went for different desserts, all very good. The sea bream was good and served with black rice rich with flavours. 

Desserts were followed by some 'real chocolates'  and a jar of soft and fluffy marshmallows. The green ones were flavoured with apple and the orange ones with passion fruit, in my enthusiasm to try them I forgot about photos. We and the sweets moved to a comfy sofa in the bar, overlooking Buckingham Palace and gardens.

We were well looked after by the friendly staff.

Mackerel with Barley Risotto

Maybe it should be called barleyotto as there is no rice in it.
I didn't follow a recipe.

I mug whole grain barley
4 mugs water
1 onion chopped
2 large cloves of garlic
tomato puree 1 dessert spoon
passata or a tin of tomatoes puréed
soy sauce, a good glug
chilli as much or as little as you like.
Smoked paprika as above
2 mugs of chopped veg I used pepper, carrot, French beans peas and sweetcorn

Fry the onion and garlic in some olive oil.
Add the barley and chilli and continue to fry for a minute or two.
Add the water, cover and simmer for one hour.
Add the other ingredients and simmer for another half hour stirring every so often and adding more liquid if needed.

 Serve with fried mackerel.