Popular gastropub The Paradise in Kensal Green has been hosting a series of supper clubs and events by high profile foodies and chefs, and this month, the irrepressible pastry maestro Eric Lanlard will be staging a "dessert takeover". Alongside the regular dinner menu, he's created eight special desserts. Strictly in the interests of research, we went along to try them all.
First up, a chocolate and earl grey tart with roasted figs: incredibly buttery, crisp pastry and a thick, dark ganache, perfumed with the bergamot tea. We followed this with a baked white chocolate and passion fruit cheesecake, creamy with just the right note of sharpness from the fruit. One of our favourites was the West Indies tart, a soft and smooth ganache fragrant with cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise, with a thin, crisp chocolate biscuit base and some lemon curd on the side. With very little room left on the table, we managed to squeeze in an upside down berry sponge with delectable custard - light and moist: old school pudding at its best.
Round two arrived. A thick, perfectly smooth creme brûlée spiked with ginger and lemon grass. A yuzu and matcha tart, sharp and luscious all at the same time. Another tart was piled with hazelnut creme patissier and slices of poached pear, with caramelised nuts. By this point, a bowl of frozen berries with hot white chocolate sauce seemed like the healthy option. There was an extra jug of white chocolate, though, just in case.
You've got just over a week to get down to the Paradise to try Eric's dessert takeover - you might not want to order them ALL, but you'll be tempted. Order several, to share. And don't blame us if you end up fighting over the last spoonful.
Eric Lanyard's pastry takeover at Paradise by way of Kensal Green, 19 Kilburn Lane, London starts Wednesday 8th October and runs to Friday 17th October 2014.
