A Fluid State 2010 (02-05 Dec 2010. London)

A host of King's Brambling cocktails

It was an exceptionally cold evening. Trudging around the Liverpool Street area looking for the secret location of ‘A Fluid State,’ I wondered where I was going to hide my wellies and surplus layers at what I suspected would be an uber trendy event.

In a move that highlighted my inability to be fashionably late, we were one of the first people to walk into the industrial 8,000sqft space which hosted this more-drinky-than-foody-festival. Unsure of what to expect, given that the website had rather obliquely described ‘Experiences’ and Art, I gratefully stashed all my surplus clothing into the cloakroom and enjoyed the efforts made by the organisers to transform the ticket desk into a 60s style airline. We were greeted by the air hostesses in gold lamé outfits, presenting us with 'passports' and boarding passes for our ‘flights’. Any sense of incredulity was swept away by our welcome cocktail –‘King’s Brambling’ – a fruity concoction (lime, blackberries and apple juice), with a kick of ginger liqueur (The King’s Ginger). I love ginger, and this boozy start was a sign of things to come...

 

Cactus Smoothies & Cherry Bomb Smoothies

We found ourselves in ‘The Garden of Eden’ the first of our ‘Experiences’. Still clutching our cocktails we welcomed a sample of soup from Crussh and chatted to the MD (Christopher Fung), who enlightened us as to the company’s philiosophy.  We also marvelled at the bravery of a scantily-clad ‘Eve’ (brave not only because of the freezing temperatures, but also because of the snake she had draped around her), and at a beautiful tree of forbidden fruit- dehydrated apples, which were shrunken but so sweet and fruity that the powder dry texture remained delicious, coated in a thick layer of dark chocolate.

Forbidden Fruit

The flight worked as follows: there were three elements to each experience - like three courses. The first was an Ocho Blanco Tequila Cactus Smoothie; green and mild, almost like you might expect a courgette to taste like if it was smoothified.  It was infused with a 'kiwi and starfruit jerky'! The tequila wasn’t strong, but I began to worry about the mixing that was going on drinkwise as we sampled the next drink/sweet combo, the Bourbon Acai Cherry Bomb with dark chocolate ganache by Damian Allsop. The dark chocolate and rich, sweet boozy cherry flavour was fantastic together. Allsop’s theory is that chocolate should be made with water and not cream, thereby creating a flavour more pure than others. The final course was the one that felt like dessert – an organic sorbet of wheatgrass (which was green and light) with a crispy, biscuity tuile of bees pollen (you could see tiny dark orange flecks on the tulle) served with more Kings Ginger Liqueur. Delicious!

After the ethereal nature of the Garden of Eden, it was time for something darker and more substantial. The ‘Twilight Hours’ proved a welcome contrast in terms of atmosphere, but the glamour of the evening continued as we were served Louis Roederer champagne, before entering a secret chamber, inhabited by irreverent monks. We were seated at tiny tables, and each encouraged to don hoods (conveniently sewn into the walls above our heads) and confess our sins. We were then served a deliciously dark Meantime London Porter which was the perfect accompaniment to the hearty Game Stew that followed. The brief sit-down meal, in what felt like a dark and secret small space, was a welcome change to the normal food festival nibbling that we’d been in indulging in.

Fantasy Island: Preparing the Dragon's Breath Popcorn

Then time for a complete change as we entered the kitsch ‘Fantasy Island’ area. Performers, lurid colours and green screen technology were just a minor distraction from the genius of the deconstructed pina colada cocktails on offer (it made my mind boggle, but Spherification was involved, and the result was amazing). The sense of wonder that accompanied ‘Dragon’s Breath’ popcorn (served with liquid nitrogen), Pink Pigeon  rum and pineapple crisps left us wandering out of the area in a bit of a daze. A hungry daze…

Deconstructed Pina Coladas (and the joy of spherification)!

Scotch Egg Joy

As we stumbled back into the cold London night we reflected on an evening which had been an experience quite unlike any other. Pricey – around £54 in total for the entry ticket and the three experiences, we felt it entirely worth the money given the quality, innovation and artistry involved in everything that we’d sampled. Having never experienced a food or drink event which was this imaginative or special, this is highly recommended, and we will most definitely be returning next year!



The final area we visited (we left out one area – ‘The Palm Upper East Side’- the Mad Men inspired gin bar having imbibed far more alcohol that food already) was the least visually exciting, but promised the most substantial food offerings. Alcohol, however, was still the primary focus of this experience. Entitled ‘The Reconciliation’, this was a tequila tasting zone, but each tasting was paired with a tapas sized tasty morsel. The first sample was Heradura Reposada Tequila matched with a light and beautifully citrusy seabass ceviche. It was easily the most delicious savory bite of the evening so far. More substaintial and much appreciated was the second dish of chilli, coriander and lime scotch egg created by Eat My Pies.  Beautifully presented and with a lovely consistency, this wasn’t spicy, but lovely salty and comforting food with more Ocho Blanco tequila. Finally, a dessert, a chocolate tequila slammer with more Damian Allsop chocolate – blissful!



Wheatgrass Sorbet with Bees Pollen and Tequila