Michelin Starred Restaurants

[DJFish]

thebraketester said:

We are in at the Hand and Flowers next monday for my birthday. Booked it last October. So hard to get a table there. basically 1year in advance unless you can be very flexible in when you want to go.

How was it & what did you order?

We watched an episode of Masterchef a few years ago and said at the time that's the kind of place for us, we wanted to go last year for our wedding anniversary but couldn't get a table.

My birthday is coming up and when asked what I wanted to do I gave my stock answer of "Eat Steak & drink red wine", my wife then informed me that she'd booked the H&F on my birthday last year to guarantee a table!

We don't get to push the boat out very often these days, let's hope it's worth the two hour drive!

[Turn7]

DJFish said:

How was it & what did you order?

We watched an episode of Masterchef a few years ago and said at the time that's the kind of place for us, we wanted to go last year for our wedding anniversary but couldn't get a table.

My birthday is coming up and when asked what I wanted to do I gave my stock answer of "Eat Steak & drink red wine", my wife then informed me that she'd booked the H&F on my birthday last year to guarantee a table!

We don't get to push the boat out very often these days, let's hope it's worth the two hour drive!

had my birthday there this year-loved it and want to go again.

[scrubchub]

http://www.la-vieille-tour.com/page4.php

Meaning to post earlier in the summer but never got around to it. Well worth a visit if you're in Brittany. Slightly 'kooky', very relaxed formal dining, if you get my meaning. 1 starred.

41 euro for 5 course menu is more than enough food.

[VEIGHT]

I went to Royal Hospital Road on friday.

Never fails to dissapoint - best restaurant I've been to.

One customer really kicked off and complained about something, didn't know what!

[thebraketester]

DJFish said:

thebraketester said:

We are in at the Hand and Flowers next monday for my birthday. Booked it last October. So hard to get a table there. basically 1year in advance unless you can be very flexible in when you want to go.

How was it & what did you order?

We watched an episode of Masterchef a few years ago and said at the time that's the kind of place for us, we wanted to go last year for our wedding anniversary but couldn't get a table.

My birthday is coming up and when asked what I wanted to do I gave my stock answer of "Eat Steak & drink red wine", my wife then informed me that she'd booked the H&F on my birthday last year to guarantee a table!

We don't get to push the boat out very often these days, let's hope it's worth the two hour drive!

Pigs Head
The thing thats like a scotch egg in a flower (cant remember its name)

Duck
Pork

Chocolate desert with a shot of beer.


The menu has changed since we went.


Honestly.... it was good but I think 2 michelin stars is way off the mark. I don't think we would go back to be brutally honest.

[Bonefish Blues]

thebraketester said:

Honestly.... it was good but I think 2 michelin stars is way off the mark. I don't think we would go back to be brutally honest.

This all over.

[Mr Adds]

We have just been to the Hand and Flowers for our wedding anniversary.

The food was, as the wife kept saying "its alright". To be honest I was expecting more from somewhere with 2*, and was left a little disappointed.

We had the Pigs head, Salt cod Scotch Egg, Beef, Grouse, Pistachio cake and chocolate and ale cake.

We also stayed over in the Charlous suite which was worth the money mind!

[thebraketester]

Ohh dear.... another disappointment. Such a shame....

[Europa1]

VEIGHT said:

I went to Royal Hospital Road on friday.

Never fails to dissapoint - best restaurant I've been to.

One customer really kicked off and complained about something, didn't know what!

Pedantry alert: you seem to be saying it always disappoints but it's the best restaurant you've ever been to - which is it?

[C70R]

VEIGHT said:

I went to Royal Hospital Road on friday.

Never fails to dissapoint - best restaurant I've been to.

One customer really kicked off and complained about something, didn't know what!

Absolutely agree. It hits the mark every time, and is actually fairly reasonable for the location and standard of dining.

[zygalski]

C70R said:

Absolutely agree. It hits the mark every time, and is actually fairly reasonable for the location and standard of dining.

Yep. Not many vfm 3 star places, but RGR is definitely one of them.
Looks like I'll give The Hand & Flowers a miss. I really like the more modest Vanilla Pod anyway & I'm not a Michelin Star chaser. The Good Food Guide is a much safer bet than the randomness of Michelin.

[lauda]

zygalski said:

Yep. Not many vfm 3 star places, but RGR is definitely one of them.

In fairness, all three three-star places in the UK have a lunch menu around the £60 mark. The Alain Ducasse one even includes wine, water and coffee for that. Whilst £60 for lunch isn't cheap, it's by no means the preserve of the wealthy.

[tuffer]

Bonefish Blues said:

thebraketester said:

Honestly.... it was good but I think 2 michelin stars is way off the mark. I don't think we would go back to be brutally honest.

This all over.

I think the issue is although it may have 2 stars, its a pub, It is not a 2 star restaurant.

[Bonefish Blues]

zygalski said:

Yep. Not many vfm 3 star places, but RGR is definitely one of them.
Looks like I'll give The Hand & Flowers a miss. I really like the more modest Vanilla Pod anyway & I'm not a Michelin Star chaser. The Good Food Guide is a much safer bet than the randomness of Michelin.

Another Vanilla Pod fan - great place, isn't it?

[Barchettaman]

My first Michelin starred dining was at L'Ambrosia in Carcassonne, well worth a look if you happen to be in that part of the Languedoc:

http://www.ambrosia-pezens.com/index.html

[Barchettaman]

and the 2* Le Parc Franck Putelat was fairly stunning, too! Nearer to the old city, haven't been since it was awarded the stars I think. I enFcded up watching a WRC game with the staff in the kitchens, which was an unexpected if highly amusing end to a stunning meal (Mrs B. was fairly unimpressed IIRC...

Edited by Barchettaman on Saturday 26th September 22:18

[TheAngryDog]

Last night was the night. It didn't disappoint.

Staff were attentive, they were friendly, food was great, atmosphere was great, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

We had the bread pre starter (those garlic crisp slices were very nice), scotch egg, giuneafowl and ham hock terrine, iberico pork chop and roasted hallubut finished with caramel snicker and coconut with tapioca ball deserts with a coffee and petis four to finish. A thoroughly enjoyable experience and very good value. We will be going back.

[Bonefish Blues]

Glad you enjoyed it

[Biglips]

mantis84 said:

Has any one here eaten at Wilks in Bristol? Ms Mantis and I have booked to go for lunch there next month.

Yes been there a couple of times. I find the setting slightly austere/ Spartan but probably just me. food does not disappoint. Bristol is not well served with quality restaurants but I think this is probably my favourite.

[mantis84]

Biglips said:

mantis84 said:

Has any one here eaten at Wilks in Bristol? Ms Mantis and I have booked to go for lunch there next month.

Yes been there a couple of times. I find the setting slightly austere/ Spartan but probably just me. food does not disappoint. Bristol is not well served with quality restaurants but I think this is probably my favourite.

Funny you should reply to that now - I went for lunch there yesterday. Agree with what you say about the setting, but it didn't really bother me. I've not got quite the extensive experience of fine dining as a lot of folk who post in this thread, so unsurprisingly the food absolutely blew me away. The veal sweetbread was particularly good, and both me and Ms Mantis really enjoyed the whole experience.