Spec me a Restaurant.

King Damager · 25 Apr 2012 at 19:18

Ok, so I'm basically looking for the best restaurant in the UK...

I'm thinking it might be a nice idea for my 21st to go and eat at a proper restaurant. Soooooo,as that's in December, I figure 8 months should be a long enough booking time for most places...

So yeah I'm looking for a nice restaurant. Cost is probably not an issue, but I'm not planning on buying a stupid bottle of wine or anything.Sensible would be nice...

I'd prefer something that has a dress code of 'smart casual' or something along those lines. Jeans would be heaven xD

At the moment one of my ideas is The Fat Duck. Probably a cliche, but I like the crazy food idea and I like the idea of it. I've always liked Hestons stuff on TV, and yeah, think it would be fun.

The other obvious options I guess are the three other three star restaurants... But was wondering if any had any particular recommendations of places to go, or places to avoid that are unfairly rated or similar....

kd

Ahleckz · 25 Apr 2012 at 19:39

Where do you live? How much do you want to spend? How many people will you be dining with? How far do you want to travel? Do you plan to stay overnight?

If you're just looking for awesome food, and going for the experience rather than to try out a particular style or chef then you'd be best going to your local 2 or 3 star restaurant.

It doesn't sound that you care enough to traipse across the country, will just result in a bit of a waste of money in my opinion.

oli collett · 25 Apr 2012 at 19:59

Money no object: The Fat Duck.

Nothing comes close. It's pretty unique out of all the restaurants I've been to, but it's only fault is that it's never as good on later visits as some of the magic is lost. If it's not too late, I'd advise not looking up anything about the restaurant beforehand, be happy to part with best part of £400ph if you're matching up wine, and have an awesome time. Make sure you understand the reservation policy and have a backup date, be persistent with the phone and you should be OK. There's no dress code, either, and jeans are fine (as long as they're not falling to pieces!)

Something a bit different: Sat Bains, L'Enclume

The benefit of these two is that they will probably get better on repeated visits - at least I find Sat Bains does, I've still not made it to L'Enclume. L'Enclume would make a good weekend too. You're looking at more like £200ph at either with wine

The others I would recommend will be stricter dress codes and a lot more french. Sat Bains and The Fat Duck are probably my 2 favourite restuarants in the UK so I don't think you can go wrong there. I've heard great things about L'Enclume too though.

glitch · 25 Apr 2012 at 20:29

oli collett said:
Money no object: The Fat Duck.

Nothing comes close. It's pretty unique out of all the restaurants I've been to, but it's only fault is that it's never as good on later visits as some of the magic is lost. If it's not too late, I'd advise not looking up anything about the restaurant beforehand, be happy to part with best part of £400ph if you're matching up wine, and have an awesome time. Make sure you understand the reservation policy and have a backup date, be persistent with the phone and you should be OK. There's no dress code, either, and jeans are fine (as long as they're not falling to pieces!)

I'll echo what this rather knowledgeable chap has said.

I got taken there for a special birthday and was utterly blown away with the whole experience. Not only did it change my entire perception of food and what could be done, it put me on a path to food obsessiveness and in a way helped me find out what I wanted to do with my life. It's an experience in every sense of the word.

That being said, one reservation of TFD is that you can never really experience it twice with any degree of success, and another is that it can and most probably will change your perception of other restaurants - although whether that is actually a bad thing is a matter of some debate.

Going on a special day is probably the best way to experience it for yourself and firmly etch that day in your mind forever, although actually getting a table can be a right bugger if you don't know how to play the waiting game on the phone line or can't employ any tricks to help you get through. So just Try, try and try again and don't give up.

Honourable mentions must go to L'Ortolan in Reading, despite its lowly Michelin status; Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham, assuming they still offer a tasting menu; The Vineyard in Stockcross, now that is has found its feet again and Launceston Place in that there London.

#Chri5# · 25 Apr 2012 at 20:44

oli collett said:
Money no object: The Fat Duck.

Nothing comes close. It's pretty unique out of all the restaurants I've been to, but it's only fault is that it's never as good on later visits as some of the magic is lost. If it's not too late, I'd advise not looking up anything about the restaurant beforehand, be happy to part with best part of £400ph if you're matching up wine, and have an awesome time. Make sure you understand the reservation policy and have a backup date, be persistent with the phone and you should be OK. There's no dress code, either, and jeans are fine (as long as they're not falling to pieces!)

Something a bit different: Sat Bains, L'Enclume

The benefit of these two is that they will probably get better on repeated visits - at least I find Sat Bains does, I've still not made it to L'Enclume. L'Enclume would make a good weekend too. You're looking at more like £200ph at either with wine

The others I would recommend will be stricter dress codes and a lot more french. Sat Bains and The Fat Duck are probably my 2 favourite restuarants in the UK so I don't think you can go wrong there. I've heard great things about L'Enclume too though.

Would second L'Enclume. The bill for two of us (with one bottle of wine) was around £220 (for the 12 course menu). I though the wine list had a good range of choices, sensible priced bottles for those of us who enjoy a good wine but are a long way from being a buff through to uber-pricey options.

Very good tip on making a weekend (or longer) around L'Enclume - Cartmel is lovely little village with assorted accommodation options. L'Enclume have rooms available themselves, then there's pubs like the Cavendish Arms or renting a cottage (the one we rented for a week was superb).

King Damager · 25 Apr 2012 at 21:17

Ahleckz said:
Where do you live? How much do you want to spend? How many people will you be dining with? How far do you want to travel? Do you plan to stay overnight?

About half hour out of London - Essex, so not too hard to get to anywhere.
It's not my budget, so I don't mind too much.
Probably me and just a parent, I feel something like this would be wasted on my gf unfortunately...
Happy to stay overnight if needed, but might be that one of us drinks and one doesn't as realistically it's only about an hour to Bray or half hour + a bit into London.

Just looked at L'enclume... Realised its up by Windermere, which I'm going to on Holiday this Summer. So might try that then anyway, even if I choose not to go for the birthday.

kd

Liverpool-Lad · 25 Apr 2012 at 23:56

Could not fault Michel Roux's place in London and was decent value too.