Review: Restaurant Deju Vu, Kendal (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Review: Restaurant Deju Vu, Kendal

8:58am Monday 20th February 2012 in Leisure By Helen Perkins, Reporter

I DISCOVERED this gem of a restaurant at the end of Kendal’s main shopping streets.

I couldn’t wait to tell everyone what a brilliant time I had, and describe the stunning food.

“Deja Vu,” said my housemate, “oh yes, their desserts are excellent.”

“You mean the French restaurant? Oh yeah, the owner does a good job with that,” said a reporter back at the office.

My friends in Kendal were way ahead of me in singing the bistro’s praises. They had all been there before, a fitting fact, given the restaurant’s name.

On my first visit, with a friend, we sat down in the candlelit interior, which has a cosy, intimate feel and a wide glass front, like something from an Edward Hopper painting.

The small and sophisticated Stricklandgate restaurant was busy, but had a relaxed atmosphere. We were served swiftly by smartly-dressed staff.

I enjoyed a thick root vegetable soup, which had a rich taste of herbs and parsnips.

My friend opted for smoked haddock and potato salad, mixed in a chive mayonnaise, professionally presented as a small round tower inside a large white dish. For main course I tried baked pangasius fillet, a white fish served with Moroccan-spiced vegetables and potatoes in a tomato sauce. This was extremely creamy and decadent.

My friend had an equally-rich braised Holker Hall beef bourguignon stew, with dauphinoise potatoes.

The star of the show was dessert. I had poached pears in white wine, cinnamon and star anise, served with mango sorbet. This was outstanding. My friend enjoyed an assiette of mini desserts, with raspberry meringue, rum and raisin crème brulée, and a chocolate mousse.

Our meals came to £35. The whole dining experience was first class, and I’d happily pretend I hadn’t been there, just to go again.