East London Food & Culture

A brief review of Milieu at Tina We Salute You

The food is near flawless. But be quick as MasterChef Michael Sanders ends his residency this weekend
Tina E20: a stylish backdrop for food from a master chef. Photo: Tina
Tina E20: a stylish backdrop for food from a master chef. Photo: Tina

Sure, it wasn’t so busy on our visit to E20’s stylish all-day cafe and restaurant the other Saturday night, but the food dished up by E11’s very own MasterChef semi-finalist Michael Sanders was faultless.

The short menu comprises British classics with Middle Eastern and Asian touches: without delay we wolfed down 2015’s vegetable du jour, griddled cauliflower, which, while not reaching the dizzy heights of Berber & Q in Haggerston, was an impressive contender, its anchovy vinaigrette lending a flawless seasoning to the dish (although I’m a stickler for the addition of pomegranate seeds). Prawn fritters, meanwhile, were crispy and tender in equal measures, ponzu dip ladling a needed tartness.

Confit duck: one of four delicious dishes we tried. Photo: SE
Confit duck: one of four delicious dishes we tried. Photo: SE

Most of the plates are well-priced; it is all about sharing, after all. Thus at £7.50 a bargainous onglet – cooked sous vide, apparently – was spot-on pink, with fashionable kimchee puree and crisps made from lotus root. Confit duck – the most expensive dish, still well-priced at £8 – boasted delicious skin and falling-off-the-bone flesh. Pickled cucumbers and spring onions added an Asian twist to the French classic.

One thing worth mentioning, however? We didn’t love the service. Staff were aloof, especially to begin with, failing to bring over menus or take a drinks order until we asked them. Forgiveable in a busy joint, of course (just), but odd since there was only one other table occupied on our visit – at 8pm on a Saturday night.

LOCAL ADVERTISING

That aside, it’s worth catching this quality residency before it ends on Sunday.

Find Tina We Salute You East Village at 2 Olympic Park Avenue, E20 1FT. Milieu kitchen opening times Wednesday to Saturday 6pm – 10pm until 19th Dec.

5 thoughts on “A brief review of Milieu at Tina We Salute You”

  1. I agree, food as excellent as always – and Michael came out to ask how things were – but the service was just, well, odd. I liked it better when he was at the cosy North Star.

Leave a Comment

5 thoughts on “A brief review of Milieu at Tina We Salute You”

  1. I agree, food as excellent as always – and Michael came out to ask how things were – but the service was just, well, odd. I liked it better when he was at the cosy North Star.

Leave a Comment