Author Topic: The Fat Duck & Fine Dining Thread  (Read 166126 times)

Offline hassinator

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The Fat Duck & Fine Dining Thread
« on: January 23, 2009, 11:25:24 am »

EDIT - thought i'd expand the title a bit on this one so we can post any of our own reviews or menus of restaurants we've known and loved.

or absolultely hated :)


i've just been for the most amazing meal at the fat duck in bray where the chef is heston blumental and thought i'd share the menu:

nitro-poached green tea and lime mousse

orange and Beetroot Jelly

oyster, passion fruit jelly, lavender

pommery grain mustard ice cream, red cabbage gazpacho

jelly of  quail, langoustine cream, parfait of foie gras, oak moss and truffle toast

snail porridge, jabugo ham, shaved fennel

roast foie gras ‘benzaldehyde’ almond fluid gel, cherry and chamomile

sound of the sea

salmon poached in liquorice gel, artichoke, vanilla mayonnaise and “manni” olive oil

ballotine of anjou pigeon, black pudding “made to order”, pickling brine and spiced  juices

hot and iced tea

mrs marshall’s margaret cornet

pine sherbet fountain

mango and douglas fir puree; bavarois of lychee and mango, blackcurrant sorbet.

parsnip cereal

nitro-scrambled egg and bacon ice cream, pain perdu and tea jelly

petits fours: carrot and orange lolly, mandarin aerated chocolate, apple pie caramel ‘edible wrapper’, violet tartlet

has anyone else sampled his delights or know of something better?
« Last Edit: February 6, 2009, 12:35:30 pm by hassinator »

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2009, 11:30:01 am »
I've been watching his programme on Channel 4 about his revamp of Little Chef and every time it shows pictures of him creating those dishes for his tasting menus at the Fat Duck I want to go even more. I know it's very steep at £125 before drinks but it's a once in a lifetime experience. I've heard there is a long waiting list. How long did you have to wait to get a table?
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Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2009, 11:44:51 am »
we had to wait three months for a table - the mrs took me as a birthday treat - but i can honestly say it was worth every penny.  i get to go out for meals a lot through work but i have never eaten anything like this before - every course surprised and delighted but i will give some edited hilights to illustrate what i mean:

the first course was a palate cleanser and consisted of egg whites mixed with vodka and lime 'cooked' at the table in liquid nitrogen.  before they served it they dusted if with green tea and then spritzed some lime essence from a perfume bottle over the table.

'taste of the sea' looked like a plate of sand from a beach at high tide mark; a light foam seemingly covering some flecks of driftwood and seaweed but it was in fact ground roasted eel with razor clams and oysters pulled through it and a salted foam which they served with an ice cold sake.

the bacon and eggs ice cream has to be eaten to be believed - think egg custard but with a real salted bacon tang cutting through it... words fail me.  it was delicious.

it is expensive - lizzy pointed out we could have gone on holiday for the cost after booze - but its something i will never forget.  heston is the top man at the absolute top of his game so if you can get yourself down there please do.

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2009, 11:46:30 am »
i live beside bray, how much did this cost ya?

Offline ds2190

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2009, 11:46:32 am »
After seeing Big Chef Takes on Little Chef I really want to go and try the taster menu. I think it'll be a while before I can though ;D

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2009, 12:11:00 pm »
i live beside bray, how much did this cost ya?


£125 for the taster menu and they give you two options with the booze - a £90 or £165 'flight path' where they pick the wine to go with each course.  we plumped for the £90 option and i have no complaints - delicious and enough to get you properly pizzled.

if you live in bray you could try his pub the hinds head across the road.  much more 'normal' approach to food but by all accounts very delicious too.  we had a pint in there before dinner and a couple of brandy's afterwards and the menu was much more 'pub food' and around the £8 for a main price level.  they also do his triple cooked chips which i have yet to sample but mates tell me they are amazing.

its also an absolutely lovely pub - all wood floors and low beams but with a certain panache that makes it really stand out.

Offline conman

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2009, 12:16:06 pm »
ahh... different bray.. haha :D

Offline bigal

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2009, 12:52:32 pm »
Went a couple of years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life. You have to treat it as an experience and the sheer imagination of flavour, smells and sounds is extraordinary. It's expensive but worth it

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2009, 01:15:38 pm »
Went a couple of years ago and it was one of the best experiences of my life. You have to treat it as an experience and the sheer imagination of flavour, smells and sounds is extraordinary. It's expensive but worth it

agreed.  once in a lifetime vibes here.  this isn't food i'd want to eat every day - well maybe the bacon and egg ice cream - but fuck me did it stimulate the imagination. 

Offline Stussy

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2009, 01:18:15 pm »

£215 quid for a meal including wine?

Is that for both of you, or each?



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Offline Wholey

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2009, 01:23:31 pm »
I am officially jealous. Of all the material pleasures I covet in this life, this has to be one of them. It's really not that much when you think about it, it's only an average night down the casino, big night on the sauce or a DS.

I need to find me a woman before I can think about going.

I'm hungry. I think I'll have some toast.

Have you bought one?

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Offline Veinticinco de Mayo

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2009, 01:25:05 pm »
Can I join the officially jealous club? 

It is on my "to do" list though. 
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Offline Party Phil

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2009, 01:34:40 pm »
I'm hungry. I think I'll have some toast.

Why just have toast when with a bit of imagination you could have a toasted bruschetta topped with sweet aniseed pastels* and finely poached rabbit flakes**, drizzled in an exquiste pine gel***








* liquorice allsorts
** pedigree chum
*** toilet duck
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Offline MaschSkrtel

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2009, 01:36:44 pm »
Can I join the officially jealous club? 

It is on my "to do" list though.
ditto
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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2009, 01:52:12 pm »
Sounds like a plan and the missus can have the stuff I would not fancy, Snail & Oyster. For the rest it sounds delicious.

Offline deadlybuzz

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2009, 02:06:22 pm »
Can I join the officially jealous club? 

It is on my "to do" list though. 

Me as well.
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Offline Veinticinco de Mayo

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2009, 02:13:10 pm »
So on a similar theme.  Who's been to Merseyside's new Michelin starred restaurant. Fraiche?

And does it deserve its star?
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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2009, 02:51:46 pm »
So on a similar theme.  Who's been to Merseyside's new Michelin starred restaurant. Fraiche?

And does it deserve its star?

Just looking at the restaurant-guide.com website now. I don't know if the website is updated or not but even though the £ is at it's weakest at the moment, the prices seem reasonable.
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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #19 on: January 23, 2009, 03:12:53 pm »
I'm sure it was fabulous and I loved his show but some of the descriptions on the menu make me feel nauseous

 nitro-poached

 mustard ice cream

 jelly of  quail

benzaldehyde

snail porridge



I had trouble just cut and pasting the last one  !  I need a glass of water :D

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #20 on: January 23, 2009, 03:21:41 pm »
It's all designed for the show effect too kavah. Snail porridge is nothing like as weird as it sounds. The nitro poaching is clever thatre at your table, dry ice effects coming off your food. They did a tea where as you drank it one half was hot, the other cold. Weird but fascinating. And it all tastes really intense. By the end your sensations are in shock

Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #21 on: January 23, 2009, 03:37:52 pm »
£215 quid for a meal including wine?

Is that for both of you, or each?






that was each and there were four of us - 3 star luxe don't come cheap

Offline deadlybuzz

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2009, 03:38:31 pm »
I'm sure it was fabulous and I loved his show but some of the descriptions on the menu make me feel nauseous

 nitro-poached

 mustard ice cream

 jelly of  quail

benzaldehyde

snail porridge



I had trouble just cut and pasting the last one  !  I need a glass of water :D

You should see this restaurant El Bulli in Spain; Kellogg's Paella, tobacco flavoured blackberry crushed ice and vanilla flavoured mash potato for examples. :lickin
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Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #23 on: January 23, 2009, 03:40:31 pm »
Sounds like a plan and the missus can have the stuff I would not fancy, Snail & Oyster. For the rest it sounds delicious.

they did an alternate on the oyster as my mate rob is allergic.  he had some lentils with a peach and raspberry coulis.  it sounds rubbish but it was actually pretty much amazing too.

the snail porridge was another hilight for me:  its a wee bowl of green porridge oats with about 4 snails in it.  it tastes earthy and delicious.  i like snails anyway - whack enough butter and garlic on most things and they taste great - but this was the very last word.

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2009, 03:42:38 pm »
It's all designed for the show effect too kavah. Snail porridge is nothing like as weird as it sounds. The nitro poaching is clever thatre at your table, dry ice effects coming off your food. They did a tea where as you drank it one half was hot, the other cold. Weird but fascinating. And it all tastes really intense. By the end your sensations are in shock

absolutely - the scientific names are to grab the attention as much as anything and the presentation is a real coup de theatre.  we were still having our first course when the dry ice started going into overdrive on the table behind us and it doesn't half fire you up.

the hot/cold drink was ingenious.  i guess they layer the liquids as gels or something but as you swallow its alternately hot and cold...

freaky shit but good freaky

Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2009, 03:42:58 pm »
Can I join the officially jealous club? 

It is on my "to do" list though. 

do it! do it!

Offline Stussy

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2009, 04:12:18 pm »

that was each and there were four of us - 3 star luxe don't come cheap

It's just not something I'd ever want to do to be honest, spend that much money on a meal in a restaurant, maybe if I win the lottery one day though. I'd imagine these high end restaurants are going to take a big whack in the coming year of recession.


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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #27 on: January 23, 2009, 04:13:46 pm »
A friend of mine has been to the fat Duck and over to Blumenthals mentor Ferran Adria at El Bulli
he reckons that the Duck is amazing but El Bulli is out of this world
he had to wait eight months :o to get a table mind, but was worth the wait he says.....couldn't be arsed meself.
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Offline Danny Boys Dad

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #28 on: January 23, 2009, 04:13:49 pm »
Just think of the number of Holland's pies you could have bought for the same money.

I'm thinking of them now........  :lickin
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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #29 on: January 23, 2009, 04:22:50 pm »
Hass,

Did you book through the phone line? 
Is there a standard cost per person for the meal, or does it depend on what you order?
What did you wear?  There is no dress code apparently, though I dont know if I'd go in shorts...

Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #30 on: January 23, 2009, 04:49:07 pm »
It's just not something I'd ever want to do to be honest, spend that much money on a meal in a restaurant, maybe if I win the lottery one day though. I'd imagine these high end restaurants are going to take a big whack in the coming year of recession.




hey stussy fair enough - its a LOT of money to spend on anything short of large piles of class a drugs but it was also an exceptional eating experience and a night i will cherish.  i actually think this kind of place is recession proof as he provides the VERY BEST available in the uk and as there are only about 15 tables they shouldn't struggle to find people to fill it.

its the middle market that will really suffer as your middle of the table places will have customer who think 'fuck it - m&s tonight' or just go for some fish and chips.  a massive and very classy new japanese on brewer st - i work in soho - is shut after a couple of months and some great reviews and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

some people are mentioning el bulli and i haven't been there yet but am assured its the best in the world right now.  they are only open in the summer; its pretty much impossible to find and there is a massive waiting list but you can get cancellations if you check on a daily basis its just a bit of a tricky journey if you're up in liverpool on the day the table comes up.  its top of my 'to do' pile and if i make it out there this summer i will report back.

dr cornwallis - we booked through the standard line and you can get the contact info on his website: http://www.fatduck.co.uk/  as far as i know there is  no dress code but i wore a shirt and blazer with a pair of jeans and some white van chukka boots with no complaints - i think they would prefer if you didn't turn up in a shell suit but smart casual was the order of the day.

the set menu (which they recommend for your first visit) is £125 per head and you can go a la carte for (i think) £93.  that gets you a starter; main and desert.  they have some bangers on there too and i will go down that route on my next trip.  we asked if we could try his black forest gateau as if you'd seen him making it on his tv show you'd know why and they were happy to bring one portion for us to share at the end of the meal.  i was a bit pissed by then so don't know how much it cost - i will check with the mrs and let you know.

Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #31 on: January 23, 2009, 04:49:46 pm »
ONTACT
   The Fat Duck
High Street
Bray
Berkshire
SL6 2AQ
    Reservations : +44 (0) 1628 580 333
    
The Fat Duck can take reservations as far as two calendar months in advance and reservations are only accepted by phone.
Email and fax requests for reservations cannot be honoured.
   


Offline hassinator

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Offline kavah

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #34 on: January 23, 2009, 07:21:18 pm »
You should see this restaurant El Bulli in Spain; Kellogg's Paella, tobacco flavoured blackberry crushed ice and vanilla flavoured mash potato for examples. :lickin
It's all designed for the show effect too kavah. Snail porridge is nothing like as weird as it sounds. The nitro poaching is clever thatre at your table, dry ice effects coming off your food. They did a tea where as you drank it one half was hot, the other cold. Weird but fascinating. And it all tastes really intense. By the end your sensations are in shock
absolutely - the scientific names are to grab the attention as much as anything and the presentation is a real coup de theatre.  we were still having our first course when the dry ice started going into overdrive on the table behind us and it doesn't half fire you up.

the hot/cold drink was ingenious.  i guess they layer the liquids as gels or something but as you swallow its alternately hot and cold...

freaky shit but good freaky
Just think of the number of Holland's pies you could have bought for the same money.

I'm thinking of them now........  :lickin

the best restaurants in the  uk and the world and Holland's pies - rawk is a broad church :D

Offline bigal

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #35 on: January 23, 2009, 09:01:07 pm »
El Bulli s supposed to be the best. But it shuts for six months a year and is very small so there's only 5,000 places available and 200,000 apply. If you get lucky they tell you when you can go! I'd love to go but I doubt it somehow. Apparently they run at a loss because of all the staff they need

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #36 on: January 23, 2009, 09:03:19 pm »
If you did want to try something similar I'd recommend L'Enclume at Cartmel in southern Lakes area. Simon Rogers goes for a similar style and whilst not as mindblowing as Heston it's excellent and nowhere near as expensive

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #37 on: January 24, 2009, 12:23:56 pm »
Heston Blumenthal is clearly a talented guy and im sure his restaurant experience must be amazing.

However, it personally doesnt appeal that much to me. Things like mustard ice cream, jelly of  quail, snail porridge, nitro-scrambled egg and bacon ice cream do not sound that appealing and a bit gimmicky and for the price, which is immensely high, I would much rather go to a restaurant of similar quality which has a bit more of a 'traditional' menu.

Then again, having a look at his website, the restaurant does do a more traditional A La Carte menu, which I would certainly go for, more so than the taster menu.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2009, 12:40:48 pm by killer_heels »

Offline hassinator

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #38 on: January 24, 2009, 01:27:13 pm »
Heston Blumenthal is clearly a talented guy and im sure his restaurant experience must be amazing.

However, it personally doesnt appeal that much to me. Things like mustard ice cream, jelly of  quail, snail porridge, nitro-scrambled egg and bacon ice cream do not sound that appealing and a bit gimmicky and for the price, which is immensely high, I would much rather go to a restaurant of similar quality which has a bit more of a 'traditional' menu.

Then again, having a look at his website, the restaurant does do a more traditional A La Carte menu, which I would certainly go for, more so than the taster menu.

killer heels i know what you mean - it does indeed sound gimmicky but he's leading a new wave and i have to say that everything was delicious.  'sound of the sea' was like the best japanese meal i've ever had but in one portion; the mustard ice cream was the cleverest version of borscht i've ever had but super light and packed with flavour;  the bacon and ice cream like zabaglione but with...  well with bacon in it but it was strangely amazing.

my taste is definitely more for the classic french - and let me tell you aubergine when gordon ramsay was cooking there is the best meal i think i've ever had - but i go out a lot through work and i can't remember anything else as good as heston in the past 8 years.


Offline Chivasino

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Re: The Fat Duck
« Reply #39 on: January 24, 2009, 01:38:39 pm »
Planning to go here for our 5th wedding Anniversary this year. Sounds like a brilliant experience.