Tasting tips

Need any more convincing? Let us whet your appetite with more about Tassili and Grand Jersey's range of restaurants...

Table talk: The hotel's swish Tassili restaurant has recently been awarded a Michelin star and was recently picked by Chef Magazine as one of their top five restaurants in the UK, so don't miss out on a memorable meal while you're here.

Good to know: Executive Head Chef Richard Allen has an impressive awards shelf - this year he was awarded 'Hotel Chef of the Year' at the Hotel Catey Awards as well as being named 'Restaurant Chef of the Year' by the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Look out for: The tantalising taste combinations on Tassili's menu. From seabass with a touch of wasabi to a banana and satay icecream dessert, expect a memorable meal.

And also: It's not just Michelin-starred food at Grand Jersey. Their brasserie Victorias serves a full menu every day, with a popular Sunday Brunch. You can also eat in the Champagne Lounge, and during the summer there's an outdoor grill with alfresco dining on the Terrace.

Book a table at Tassili
- Call +44 (0)1534 722301
- Visit the website

Restaurant Review

This review of Tassili appeared in the December 2008 issue of Gallery Magazine

Head Chef Richard Allen is renowned for his signature style of innovation and attention to detail.  Take for instance his venison served with, amongst other things, sprouts.  But these are not just any sprouts… In the hands of Richard, they're carefully cooked, hollowed out and stuffed before being painstakingly reassembled.  And so it goes on.  'I like to take traditional flavours and present them in a different way' explains Richard.  He also insists on the best produce.  The turbot is organically produced on a fish farm in St Catherine's, the sea bass is locally caught, and the wild boar really was wild and had a happy life foraging for acorns in the Cotswolds before he ended up on your plate. 

The menu is divided up into five choices for each course - ranging from the traditional fine dining classics; lobster, venison and pigeon, to the modern; tuna tartar, octopus and wild boar.   Whether classics or moderns, Tassili gives each dish a unique twist - my turbot starter came with a slice of soft pork belly, complete with crispy crackling. Turbot is a gorgeous meaty fish and has a great delicate taste of its own, but the punchy pork belly really lifted the whole dish into a blend of flavours to contend with.  It came with rich garlicky squash purée and soft baby spinach.  My lucky dinner date, living up to the indulgent theme, went for the foie gras, served as a parfait and a mousse scented with lemongrass, along with red wine jelly and delicious pain d'epices biscuits.  A perfect combination of the sweet and the tart, but still rich and melt-in-the-mouth, it's certainly a dish for gourmands. 

Our main courses were lobster and sea bass - both local.  The lobster was served beautifully prepared with no shell in sight, on a bed of tangy mango and soft avocado.  Fresh and ocean-tasting, you can't get much better than that.  My sea bass was full flavoured and came with roasted Jerusalem artichokes, chicken boudin and truffle gnocchi.  The chef certainly likes his flavours; each dish came with tiny cubes of intensely-flavoured jelly, dabs of delicious sauces and flavoured foams.  Every course feels like a tasting experience.

For dessert, we couldn't resist the chocolate fondant and the coffee sundae.  Look out for the incredible chocolate popping candy (remember Space Dust?!) that seems to be a Tassili signature touch, it's delicious.  The dark chocolate fondant came with pistachio mousse and a malted milk and cocoa melting ice cream that takes you right back to nursery days.  The coffee sundae is a dream for caffeine addicts with a rich espresso brownie, latte mousse and white coffee ice cream sprinkled with amaretto biscuit crumbs.  For indulgent, it's hard to do better than Tassili. It feels exclusive, luxurious and very special.  Go on, treat yourself…

Book a table at Tassili
- Call +44 (0)1534 722301
- Visit the website

Wine Dinners

A voyage of exploration, join Tassili's popular Wine Dinners to explore the latest wine discoveries, matched with a special menu.

Each dinner will includes a six course menu with six wines, and costs from £85-£99 per person inclusive. Make a date.

January 31st - South African Wines
South Africa's wine revival has been nothing but incredible in the last ten years and now produces some of the world's finest quality wines. (£85)

February 28th - Surf and Turf
Meat and fish pairings that you might not at first glance would make a whole lot of sense! Richard Allen offers some enlightened matches. (£90)

March 28th - The Austrian Wine Revolution
If Grüner Veltliner wasn't successful enough, then ever tried a Blaüfrankish? These are the new wines of the moment….. (£90)

April 17th - Sicily
Michael Palij MW introduces you to some of Sicily's best kept wine secrets. (£85)

May 30th - The Parisian Market
Based on the famous Rungis market in Paris, we offer the finest French artisan fare. (£90)

June 27th - Perrier Jouët Champagne
Our 'house' Champagne and great supporter, discover six wonderful Perrier Jouët Champagnes with a sumptuous menu. (£99)

Click here to see the rest of the year's Wine Dinners schedule

Book a table at Tassili
- Call +44 (0)1534 722301
- Visit the website

Location

Tassili
Grand Jersey
Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey
JE2 3QA
Channel Islands

Tel: +44 (0)1534 722301
www.grandjersey.com
reception@grandjersey.com