Celebrations are always a lovely thing, even more so when they are done in style, so when we heard that Russell and Elena of Sienna in Dorset were celebrating the restaurant's 10 year anniversary with a specially created menu (10 courses, naturally), we jumped at the opportunity to go. If by any chance you don't know who Russell Brown is (@siennadorset on twitter), he is Dorset's only Michelin starred chef. His restaurant, Sienna, is located in the centre of Dorchester (sorry for using a picture of Weymouth above, but it is just down the road) and seating only 14 people, it is a small intimate affair but still quite buzzy, and where his wife, Elena, runs the front of house with an engaging friendliness.
We've been a big fan of Russell since we first visited Sienna back in 2011 describing his food then as 'clean, elegant and delivering full value on the promise'. And so it was with the 10th anniversary meal, where for example, the proximity to great locally caught fish is allowed to shine in a plate of brill with spring onion mash, saffron and red pepper. This, as with all his plates, are never unnecessarily elaborate, rather, good ingredients cooked well to gently coax from them all they have to offer.
While there are clearly influences of French and Italian cuisine running through his menus, this is in many ways the very definition of British cooking where Russell strongly supports local producers and the menu reads always like a list of things you know and want to eat. And when it arrives, the plate is uncluttered, the food classy. Sienna is the kind of restaurant we get great joy from eating at and instills in you more than a little pride that Britain does now offer quality restaurants across the country, many like Sienna tucked unassumingly far away from the predictabilities of Mayfair.
So if this summer you're heading down to the south coast for a holiday, and want to add a touch of elegance to your food itinerary, we whole heartedly recommend stopping by Sienna and checking out Russell's food. This monster 10 course celebration menu has now of course ended but no matter, for there is always something wonderful cooking in Russell's kitchen, for that's how you survive 10 years in the business and that's how you win a Michelin star to boot. Congratulations again to Russell and Elena, here's to the next 10.
We've been a big fan of Russell since we first visited Sienna back in 2011 describing his food then as 'clean, elegant and delivering full value on the promise'. And so it was with the 10th anniversary meal, where for example, the proximity to great locally caught fish is allowed to shine in a plate of brill with spring onion mash, saffron and red pepper. This, as with all his plates, are never unnecessarily elaborate, rather, good ingredients cooked well to gently coax from them all they have to offer.
While there are clearly influences of French and Italian cuisine running through his menus, this is in many ways the very definition of British cooking where Russell strongly supports local producers and the menu reads always like a list of things you know and want to eat. And when it arrives, the plate is uncluttered, the food classy. Sienna is the kind of restaurant we get great joy from eating at and instills in you more than a little pride that Britain does now offer quality restaurants across the country, many like Sienna tucked unassumingly far away from the predictabilities of Mayfair.
So if this summer you're heading down to the south coast for a holiday, and want to add a touch of elegance to your food itinerary, we whole heartedly recommend stopping by Sienna and checking out Russell's food. This monster 10 course celebration menu has now of course ended but no matter, for there is always something wonderful cooking in Russell's kitchen, for that's how you survive 10 years in the business and that's how you win a Michelin star to boot. Congratulations again to Russell and Elena, here's to the next 10.
prawns with avocado and saffron
new potato soup, wild garlic pesto
ham hock terrine with watercress and Pommery mustard
Wild mushroom salad, slow cooked Blackacre Farm egg yolk, truffle dressing
Parmesan and ricotta tortelloni with English asparagus
Roast fillet of brill with spring onion mash, saffron and red pepper
loin of lamb, shepherds pie, carrot and peas
Keen's cheddar rarebit with spiced cider apple jelly
Chocolate shot
Apricot and almond tart with clotted cream ice cream
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