June: What’s been on the menu recently

What we’ve been eating: Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin is a timeless French dessert built on a beautifully simple combination: apples, caramel, and pastry. Our version uses Pink Lady apples, slow-baked in rich caramel until tender, while retaining their natural sweetness and gentle tartness.

The apples are layered and topped with buttery puff pastry before baking, creating a golden, glossy finish. Once inverted, the caramelised apples take centre stage, delivering deep, comforting flavour with a delicate balance of sweetness and acidity.

We serve our Tarte Tatin warm, in a copper pan, alongside homemade vanilla ice cream. The cool, creamy ice cream melts gently into the warm caramel, creating a delicious contrast of temperature and texture.

First created by the Tatin sisters in France in the 1880s, this dessert remains a true classic and a perfect example of how caramelised fruit and crisp pastry can come together so simply, and so well.

What we’ve been drinking: Royal Tokaji Furmint, Hungary

Royal Tokaji was established in 1990 with a clear mission: to revive one of the world's most historic and celebrated wine regions. Working with some of Tokaj's finest First Growth vineyards and centuries-old cellars, the winery has earned international acclaim for the quality of its wines.

Furmint is Hungary's most important white grape variety, known both for elegant dry wines and the country's famous Tokaji dessert wines. Its naturally high acidity produces wines that are fresh, well-balanced, and distinctly mineral, a true reflection of Tokaj's volcanic soils and unique climate.

The grapes are pressed whole before fermentation, which takes place partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in oak barrels. The wine is then aged on its fine lees, building subtle complexity over time.

The result is a crisp, fresh white wine with aromas of grape flowers, apple, and pear, layered with flavours of ripe apricot and peach, finishing long and refreshing.

Royal Tokaji Furmint is a wonderful aperitif and pairs beautifully with seafood, white meats, and spicy dishes, making it a versatile addition to any meal.