Forgotten Palace Hotel
Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos
FOLLY: I really wanted us to go to RED at Eko Hotel this day but we got there and it was closed. After a bit of merry go rounding, we went to Federal Palace. I always forget it exists - hence the title.
The lunch buffet was actually still on when we arrived at about 3 pm. While the desserts and appetizers looked decent, the mains were very underwhelming, so we decided to go à la carte instead.
We started with Calamari Rings and a pair of cocktails: Imperial Flight for Nosa and something with Lychee for me.
Both were nice, but mine was pretty sweet. It also might as well have been a mojito cause it tasted just like one.
NOSA: The calamari had this weird after taste to it.
FOLLY: I may be wrong but I think the after taste was plantain. It's definitely possible they used old plantain oil.
Oh funny story, we initially ordered the breaded prawns and the calamari. Then our waiter came back to ask us if we were sure we wanted the breaded prawns because it's only ONE prawn. I just sharply told him NO thank you. N1600 for one prawn can't ever click.
NOSA: I got the BBQ Pork Ribs with a side of Garlic Mash.
FOLLY: I had the FPH Cheeseburger with a side of Wedges.
NOSA: The ribs were really tender and had everything you want in a quality rib, but something about it just didn't gel. The marinade wasn't really rich. Prefer Ginger Tapas and BBQ & Cravings. Tastes like something I could make, not something I'd pay a restaurant for.
FOLLY: I feel like Nosa is being incredibly hard on the ribs. We've had way worse and these were far from bad. They were so tender, you didn't need solid biceps and a steak knife to cut through them. The sauce wasn't artisinal or anything, and it probably came from a bottle.
I really liked my burger. The bun was ridiculously soft and fresh, and the patty wasn't tough.
I'll give it an 8/10. I'm knocking of two points, one for flavour and another for juiciness. The patty was far from dry but I don't think it was seasoned well enough - or at all.
NOSA: The mash was so lumpy. I think they just got a whole bunch of potatoes, put it in a mortar, and started pounding away. And the garlic, what garlic? It's as scraps as the one at Basilico.
FOLLY: Yup, the mash was pretty bad.
FOLLY: We ordered Creme Brûlée and got Creme Caramel topped with Ice-Cream. I was sad, that's all.
NOSA: I've only had Creme Brûlée one time, at Stranger with Chef Imoteda of Heels In The Kitchen. She is more or less my metric for this thing and the Creme Brûlée at FPH fell way short.
FOLLY: That's because it wasn't CB.
POSTSCRIPT
NOSA: This wasn't that great, but it wasn't "hotel expensive" so I guess I'll take this.
FOLLY: Overall, it was a so-so experience. Nothing was disgusting but nothing blew me away, so I probably won't be back. Oh well.
DAMAGE
Imperial Flight - N1800
Litchi Cooler - N1700
Calamari Rings - N2200
BBQ Pork Ribs - N4500
Garlic Mash - N1200
TPH Classic Cheeseburger - N3500
Vanilla Creme Brûlée - N1600