Back in March, we fell head first, love at first bite style, with Forest Avenue, where we had the best meal of 2017.

The only problem? It’s in Dublin. So not so convenient if you want to pop in and treat yourself.

But, I discovered last weekend, that’s not too much of a problem, because Anglo’s right on my doorstep.

Nestled in the heart of Clerkenwell, Anglo is simple looking but universally acclaimed amongst London’s food critics and connoisseurs.

And with good reasons – our impromptu Saturday night meal was without a doubt the best food we’ve had in ages.

As many have said before, Anglo’s food – a daily-changing 8-course British-made-modern set menu – will not be to everyone’s taste.

Forget the classic ‘meat with two veg’. Here, the food is innovative, even borderline challenging at times but every morcel is absolutely succulent.

The pre-dinner snacks especially so.

Mushroom broth with thin mushroom slices and truffle.

So simple, deeply umami and absolutely brilliant. Starting strong with my favourite dish of the night!

Ika (squid) tartare wrapped in jellied dashi.

Delicate and textural.

Burnt leek tartlet with chive ‘snow’.

A creamy allium-on-allium creation that’s simply too good for words.

Needless to say, I was rather excited to move onto the proper dishes…

Cauliflower with smoked herring roe.

A beautifully saline dish, balanced by the deep, earthy notes of the cauliflower.

Pork belly with coco beans, cranberry and pickled fennel.

A very interesting combination of ingredients which was only let down by undercooked, slightly chalky coco beans.

Seabass with salsify and quince.

Probably the least enjoyable of the lot and the only dish I wouldn’t re-order again should I get the opportunity.

Wild fallow deer with white onion puree, nasturtium oil and meat jus.

Cooked to perfection and absolutely incredible.

Cheese and onion on malt loaf.

Or, as it should be called – cheese on toast on crack.

Very cheesy, veeeeery satisfying and incredibly comforting.

Pine parfait.

A refined take on the After Eight – I’d really love getting a box of those in my Christmas stocking!

Matcha cake with clementine and miso ice cream.

So festive.

And last but not least, lemon thyme granita, crème pât and apple.

Lovely and fresh – the perfect way to end the meal!

All topped off with petits fours (salted caramel truffles and chocolate mousse cubes with raspberry powder and lime).

So yes, a meal at Anglo is a bit of a blow to the Christmas budget.

But it’s worth every penny. The food is stunning and the service attentive without being stuffy.

The perfect spot to make the most of a special occasion with your favourite foodie(s).

Anglo, 30 St Cross St, London EC1N 8UH