Birthday dinner at Moro

I hate reading a good review. I don't really care about someone's fabulous meal where everything was perfect. Every Wednesday I flick through the Metro newspaper to Marina O'Loughlin's restaurant review and if there's any more than 2 stars I'm disappointed. If you're like me, you're going to hate this post.

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Last Thursday I entered the fourth decade of my life (I originally wrote third, but am now fairly certain that being 30 is in fact your fourth decade. It is not however your best age for maths). It seems my family and friends didn't expect me to reach 30 because they responded to this great feat of mine by showering me with gifts (mainly foodie related e.g. a gorgeous apple green Kitchen Aid mixer from the parents, scan pan saucepans, a butchery class at the Ginger Pig, the Moro & Ottolenghi cookbooks, £50 of Divertimenti money, an embosser which prints "From the kitchen of LexEat" onto paper and stickers with a little saucepan motif - it's ok to resent me; I almost hate myself for being so damn spoilt). To top it all off my birthday dinner was at Moro (for the non-Londoners, it's a well known London restaurant serving Moorish cuisine i.e. Spainish food influenced by Lebanese, Moroccan, Israeli, Egyptian and other parts of North Africa), and 2 of my favourite friends were there to meet Y & I as surprise guests.

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Everything about the whole night was fabulous - knowledgeable & friendly service, delicious & seasonal food, excellent wines, and a generally great, relaxed vibe. I shan't gush any more - who wants to read that? Check out my top quality iPhone photos instead.

Starter: Jamon with fresh figs.

Courgette, feta & dill fritters with crispy walnuts.

Charcoal grilled squid with harissa & salad.

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Mains

Wood roasted pork with pistou, pinenuts and churrasco sauce.

Charcoal grilled sardines with chopped salad and corn migas.

Charcoal grilled lamb with friend marrow, farika, almonds & seasoned yoghurt.

On the recommendation of Gourmet Chick I had the yoghurt cake with pistachios & pomegranate (but it only comes with a candle in it if someone sneakily asks the waiter). We also shared the rosewater & cardamom ice cream, and Malaga raisin ice cream. Of course, they were excellent too.

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Can't recommend it highly enough, loved it, will go back blah blah blah ...