Ham sarnies. Oh yes.

Nom nom nom

I have to accept what you say about the Michelin star status as I haven't been to Crayeres for about 20 years! Have binged there twice but the first time was the best. 11 of us (stag do) where the bridegroom organised the trip himself and we landed an 8 courser at Crayeres for a fixed price. Totally brilliant. Mind you, we did a tour of the Pommery cellars (arranged by the UK Pommery agent with whom this mate of mine did a lot of business) and the most elegant madame (aged around 60 I'd guess and not a 'Madame', obviously!) took us from Pommery to a brasserie, that had just received it's first Michelin star, called La Garenne. Apropos to this website, it is on the old Reims racing circuit (road section of course). A 7 course lunch there accompanied by magnums of Pommery (one of which she sent back!) and we then had to work it off all afternoon (many games of 10 pin bowling of memory serves) to make room for the Crayeres banquet. No wonder I'm a fat bar steward now! That's my kind of stag do! Oh yes!!

Why thank you kind Sir! It appears you may be of the same mindset as me, apropos food and dining. If truth be told these restaurants are memorable simply because the food and experiences are superb. If I had a choice I would rather be dining at a big table in the sunshine on, or near, a beach on the Med (France, Spain or Italy, it matters not!), supping the local vino with a bucketload of 'picky food' (a smorgasbord if you will) laid out where everyone digs in and no taste overtakes another. We brits tend to pile up our plates with far too many tastes (take yer average Sunday roast, for instance) and each taste is drowned by the others. I love simple food, well made. One of my favourite dishes is the Italian daily 'must have', namely spaghetti with olive oil, garlic and chilli. Sublime and yet so simple. Breaking off some ciabatta and wiping up the oil and garlic left in the bottom of the bowl is one of lifes small but exquisite pleasures.

A bon weekend to all gourmands.

Oh, go on. I could do with some local recommendations, and I won't go in high season.

And thats the key isn't it, the food can vary but the circumstances make for great meals.
All I would say is that the very best chefs create some amazing tastes and that its worth trying.
Same is true of wine. The circumstances you try a great wine in have a huge effect on your impression of it.Both good and bad.

Best meal?

2006 New Years Eve, Palm Cove, Australia.

Having spent the day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, we return to the hotel hungry but to be told by reception that all tables are already booked in the restaurant this evening and we'd have to have room service or eat elsewhere.

2 minutes later and the phone is ringing in our room and the Hotel Manager is falling over themself with apologies, as reception hadn't realised we were guests, and offering to create space for a table just for us sa long as we didn't mind the set menu.

We were expected and greeted with a glass of Vintage Bollinger each (at this point I realised I'd forgotten to ask the price of the set menu). We then sat down to a multi course meal consisting in part of amuse bouches, Moreton bay bugs, NZ lamb, baba ganoush, petit fours, various wines & coffee overlooking the last sunset of 2006 and then fireworks on the beach.

I tried to ignore the bill and signed for it regardless leaving a tip more than most restaurants meals cost then stunmbling 50 yards or so to our room.
















The next night we remembered our budget for the holiday and had Pot Noodles for the first meal of 2007.

A few come to mind and as many have said the setting,occasion and company
also very important.

Hotel splendido in portofino.. Sitting on the terrace,watching the sunset over the bay.
Fleur de lys in salo,lake Garda.. Taster menu to die for..

La maison de la truffle in Paris..
Ducks leg covered in truffles..washed down with fine pommerol..

Nu manolin in Alicante..
Chips and fried peppers topped with very fine iberian ham..

For me it is a toss up of two experiences - a seafood all you can eat in Melbourne which introduced me to the moreton bay bug (suprised to discover many years later it was voted the "worlds best food" or similar).

The second one is a simple italian with family in Edinburgh with Fillet Steak with Haggis & a Whisky & Cream Sauce.....Simply fantastic.

Apologies for the lack of resteraunt names but I tend to enjoy the wine with the food :-)

Mark

Returning to this topic to report a great meal I've just had at Lewtrenchard Manor. 8 course taster menu with every course being good and two (fish and 1st desert) were laugh out loud good. The meal was made exceptional by being at the chefs table - £69 per person which I think is fantastic value for 8 courses at a chefs table with a welcome glass of champagne. Never done a chefs table before so can't compare it but this was brilliantly done - between courses you could stand right by the chef as he cooked and ask any question you wanted. The chef (John Hooker of GBM fame) was a great host. Try it if you're in the area.