What Restaurant did you eat at last night?

daz · 4 Sep 2017 at 07:42

Marcus @ The Berkeley on Saturday. Aside from the ridiculous cars parked outside (3 x RR Phantom Drophead Coupes, Mclaren P1, Ferrari 599) the hotel and restaurant is pretty spectacular. A beautiful meal (only the tasting menu is available on Saturday evenings).

Menu

Shauna’s sourdough, cockle butter —
Mackerel, cucumber, mint, caviar —
Sharpe’s Express 1900, girolles, Tunworth, truffle —
Octopus, Cuore del Vesuvio, rocket, almond —
Cumbrian pork belly, heritage carrot, rose, scratchings
Herdwick lamb, crispy breast, mint, pea —
Pickled cherry, lemon, granola —
Toffee, peanut, milk chocolate nougat

My favourite courses were the potato and girolles, then the octopus, then the herdwick lamb which was excellent.

wozza2k · 6 Sep 2017 at 10:05

I took the girl to Marcus back in Jan and we found everything to be solid in terms of cooking but nothing really stood out, given that it's a two star that is a little underwhelming. Service wise nothing can be faulted and it certainly makes a very good date spot.

daz · 7 Sep 2017 at 12:14

I know what you mean, in a way. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (Clare Smyth) wowed me in a way in which Marcus didn't, despite being an excellent meal. But then again, I didn't think The Fat Duck was as good as I was expecting either.

Next to try... The Waterside Inn.

Ahleckz · 7 Sep 2017 at 18:27

It's funny isn't it? I wonder how much is to do with ourselves bigging these places up. I was disappointed with Eleven Madison Park, but Le Bernadin blew me away but expected the opposite.

molinari · 8 Sep 2017 at 10:30

Food and wine are such personal things that although I might disagree, I understand and accept other peoples views on restaurants (I'm certainly no expert!). Marcus has been one of the most disappointing 2 star restaurants I've been to but I know people who have loved it. We thought Eleven Madison Park was superb, the whole experience, but I can certainly see why people wouldn't enjoy it as much. I guess sometimes there is the weight of expectation when others rave about these restaurants, that expectations can get too high.

Tuppy_Glossop · 8 Sep 2017 at 10:58

This is the thing with reviews, you have to have enough from the same person and enough overlapping experience of your own to map their reviews to your opinions. Only then can you get any utility from reviews. This is why one-off internet reviews from a stranger are pointless. It took me two years to map The Times book reviews to my tastes but now I'm pretty good at telling what I'm going to like. Unless it's a new reviewer.

Martynt74 · 8 Sep 2017 at 11:27

robj20 said:
Went here over the weekend.

http://smokiessouthernbbq.co.uk/

Meat was fantastic not overly sauced like the majority of BBQ places just nice slow smoked meat.

Bit late but did you go to the Darwen one or the Chorley one?

I live a few minutes from the Chorley one and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite places. The fact they do takeaway makes it even better for Burgers.

Skidder · 8 Sep 2017 at 13:24

Last night I went to http://no-97.co.uk/ number 47 in Surbiton.

I hadn't read any reviews or even looked at the menu. We live near and my wife had heard it was good. It was absolutely excellent. Well priced and delicious and beautifully presented. Great staff, unfussy but excellent service and a nice buzz. Really nice gin bar in the basement. Anyone in this neck of the woods should give it a go.

I had a quail ballotine, lamb and a series of lemon puddings. Decent short and unpretentious wine list. £100 for three courses, decent bottle of wine and a couple of additional glasses. For Surrey that aint bad at all! Will go again.

Martynt74 · 8 Sep 2017 at 13:33

Can anyone recommend somewhere in London? The wife and i have decided to go for our anniversary trip this year instead of overseas like normal.

Only issue is that it's the 22nd December so i accept places will need booking well in advance since this year it falls on the Friday before Christmas.

Quite open to food choices and would be looking around £40-£50 per head. Happy if that only covers 2 courses though (obviously excluding drinks)

robj20 · 8 Sep 2017 at 15:48

Marvt74 said:
Bit late but did you go to the Darwen one or the Chorley one?

I live a few minutes from the Chorley one and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite places. The fact they do takeaway makes it even better for Burgers.

Darwin, love that they don't have an alcohol licence so they let you bring your own drinks.

Martynt74 · 8 Sep 2017 at 15:51

Ah Chorley is newer and has a licence. They have a few decent beers on tap though the bottle selection is your usual dross (Stella, Bud etc)

Chorley also opens during lunchtime which helps too.

molinari · 11 Sep 2017 at 07:44

Skidder said:
Last night I went to http://no-97.co.uk/ number 47 in Surbiton.

I hadn't read any reviews or even looked at the menu. We live near and my wife had heard it was good. It was absolutely excellent. Well priced and delicious and beautifully presented. Great staff, unfussy but excellent service and a nice buzz. Really nice gin bar in the basement. Anyone in this neck of the woods should give it a go.

I had a quail ballotine, lamb and a series of lemon puddings. Decent short and unpretentious wine list. £100 for three courses, decent bottle of wine and a couple of additional glasses. For Surrey that aint bad at all! Will go again.

That looks fantastic - a great looking menu, well presented food, and a Gin bar! We're not too far from Surbiton so I think we'll give it a try.

Skidder · 11 Sep 2017 at 12:24

molinari said:
That looks fantastic - a great looking menu, well presented food, and a Gin bar! We're not too far from Surbiton so I think we'll give it a try.

Excellent, enjoy. I'm looking forward to going again.

Freakbro · 11 Sep 2017 at 12:29

We went to Asha's in Birmingham http://ashasbirmingham.co.uk/ , multi award winning Indian restaurant for the last 10 years

Fantastic food, service, wine etc, great atmosphere and lovely setting, can definately recommend for Indian food lovers

Hater · 12 Sep 2017 at 11:30

On the weekend we went here:

http://www.markgreenaway.com/

We did the tasting menu and it was sublime, but way too much food, we were both unable to finish the last dessert (there were two, it was an 8 course) which was a shame as it was insanely good

#Chri5# · 18 Sep 2017 at 15:14

The Seahorse in Dartmouth to finish our week away last Friday

https://www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk/

Excellent all round for the two of us, my main of John Dory roasted over the open fire with port vinegar was outstanding. Sides of courgette fritti and fennel gratin were excellent as well.

Martynt74 · 20 Sep 2017 at 09:28

Any recommendations for Sheffield?

Open to most types of food, but my wife against the taster type menus as they usually contain various courses she has no interest in.

So normal a la carte options.

Jonesiani · 20 Sep 2017 at 12:32

Next Friday were booked in at Sat Bains Nucleus, having the 10 course taster menu and wine pairing.

On the 21st October we're booked in at The Fat Duck, then the following afternoon at The Hand And Flowers for sunday lunch.

I am so excited (and will be so poor)

the-evaluator · 20 Sep 2017 at 12:52

The Hand & Flowers seems to polarise people, some love it and some really slate it. Personally I love it, it's one of my favoruite restaurants. We've been something in the region of 14 times.

Skidder · 22 Sep 2017 at 11:09

I've only been once but I thought it was excellent. I still remember what I had over a year on and I think that is always a good sign.