Got a reservation at The Fat Duck. Flight of wines?
Discussion
Back in 2010, they didn't ask any of the questions they do now about holiday memories, favorite fruit tart etc. so I'm intrigued as to how the answers will be used when we get there. As this is a Birthday treat for Mrs Freddy, I'm hoping there will be a few little surprises for her.
Having been there a few times in the past, it's not a restaurant experience I would want to repeat that often myself. It would lose its magic otherwise.
With such a long tasting menu there are bound to be elements which aren't as well liked as others, but trying new things is what it's all about.
I can't wait
Having been there a few times in the past, it's not a restaurant experience I would want to repeat that often myself. It would lose its magic otherwise.
With such a long tasting menu there are bound to be elements which aren't as well liked as others, but trying new things is what it's all about.
I can't wait
FurtiveFreddy said:
Back in 2010, they didn't ask any of the questions they do now about holiday memories, favorite fruit tart etc. so I'm intrigued as to how the answers will be used when we get there. As this is a Birthday treat for Mrs Freddy, I'm hoping there will be a few little surprises for her.
Having been there a few times in the past, it's not a restaurant experience I would want to repeat that often myself. It would lose its magic otherwise.
With such a long tasting menu there are bound to be elements which aren't as well liked as others, but trying new things is what it's all about.
I can't wait
I went (for the second time, previously visited in 2008) recently and it was very very good fun and with the full flight of wines is the only way to do it. The car back to the hotel was, I think, an e-class. Although by that point I wasn't entirely sober as we'd started with a bottle of champagne, or two. Having been there a few times in the past, it's not a restaurant experience I would want to repeat that often myself. It would lose its magic otherwise.
With such a long tasting menu there are bound to be elements which aren't as well liked as others, but trying new things is what it's all about.
I can't wait
I think that's it though now, I doubt I'd go again as the novelty is the most compelling reason to go here. However I am off to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Hospital road soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a great time!
kingBadger said:
I went (for the second time, previously visited in 2008) recently and it was very very good fun and with the full flight of wines is the only way to do it. The car back to the hotel was, I think, an e-class. Although by that point I wasn't entirely sober as we'd started with a bottle of champagne, or two.
I think that's it though now, I doubt I'd go again as the novelty is the most compelling reason to go here. However I am off to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Hospital road soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a great time!
As they only arrange taxis to leave, I've arranged my own E-Class to take us there and back.I think that's it though now, I doubt I'd go again as the novelty is the most compelling reason to go here. However I am off to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Hospital road soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a great time!
I'm going to get them to drop us off at the Hind's Head and pretend we're having lunch there then find a way to lead her to the FD and... *SURPRISE!*
Decided to go with the top flight of wines and make it as special as it can be. Like you, I wonder if we would go again. It would have to be considerably different again to make it worthwhile.
Got a big birthday coming up in 2019 for Mrs Freddy and I need to think of somewhere pretty special to take her for that, so I better start looking around now...
FurtiveFreddy said:
Got a big birthday coming up in 2019 for Mrs Freddy and I need to think of somewhere pretty special to take her for that, so I better start looking around now...
El Celler de can roca in Girona - http://cellercanroca.com/menu/menu_a.html - is well worth the trip IMOtomw2000 said:
El Celler de can roca in Girona - http://cellercanroca.com/menu/menu_a.html - is well worth the trip IMO
I'm sure I've got one of their books here somewhere.Reservations 11 months in advance - that'll be the sort of place I'm after
FurtiveFreddy said:
Is this the wine pairing choice now?
I can't find any reviews mentioning anything other than a £155 wine flight.
I think I'm would stick to the lowest wine price. £1300 for two people is almost an absurd amount to pay even for a special occasion. You would still have some crackers in that lowest price selection. The real value of the Fat Duck is in the food. Not from the wine which basically only needs un corking.I can't find any reviews mentioning anything other than a £155 wine flight.
prand said:
I think I'm would stick to the lowest wine price. ... You would still have some crackers in that lowest price selection. The real value of the Fat Duck is in the food. Not from the wine which basically only needs un corking.
This. Five years ago on my fortieth birthday I got a table for four, on the exact date. Invited my closest married friends and Mrs W. Cheapest wine pairing for 3 of us, plus food for four and tips, was pretty much exactly £1000. And well worth it for a once in a lifetime experience. I love wine, but would I have appreciated spending the extra £'00s? Not a jot. 
When you get into wine at stratospheric prices its rarity and exclusivity you are paying for, as well as the quality. Up to a certain point increase in bottle price is explained by an increase in the love, attention and effort expended on the viticulture, subsequent winemaking, storage and so on. There's a massive difference between Gallo's wine factories and the niche wine makers of the Napa Valley, for example.
Rare wines from popular vineyards and winemakers then benefit from market forces. The supply is limited, the demand very great and therefore the price is astronomical.
Same as with anything...
I've paid for "name" wines in the past. Hill of Grace at £400 a bottle. Yes it was great. Was it £350 better that Keynton Estate? Of course not...
IMO you'd buy Heston's priciest wine flight for the sheer hell of it. Not so much that you are expecting a taste sensation that far above his best value one...
Rare wines from popular vineyards and winemakers then benefit from market forces. The supply is limited, the demand very great and therefore the price is astronomical.
Same as with anything...
I've paid for "name" wines in the past. Hill of Grace at £400 a bottle. Yes it was great. Was it £350 better that Keynton Estate? Of course not...
IMO you'd buy Heston's priciest wine flight for the sheer hell of it. Not so much that you are expecting a taste sensation that far above his best value one...
kingBadger said:
I went (for the second time, previously visited in 2008) recently and it was very very good fun and with the full flight of wines is the only way to do it. The car back to the hotel was, I think, an e-class. Although by that point I wasn't entirely sober as we'd started with a bottle of champagne, or two.
I think that's it though now, I doubt I'd go again as the novelty is the most compelling reason to go here. However I am off to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Hospital road soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a great time!
Hospital road will not disappoint (unlike most of Ramsay's other establishments), have a great time! I think that's it though now, I doubt I'd go again as the novelty is the most compelling reason to go here. However I am off to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Hospital road soon and I'm very much looking forward to that.
I hope you have a great time!
Mousem40 said:
Hospital road will not disappoint (unlike most of Ramsay's other establishments), have a great time!
Thanks - it was really great. I was a little worried at the beginning as the restaurant was tiny and very full so it felt a bit overwhelming. But it did quieten down and I could get on with the important task of stuffing my fat face. Very good staff, lovely wine and excellent food. (am just going to ignore the reality of the bill!)I ended up going for the £265 flight for us both at the FD last week. I had a look at the top one but just couldn't justify the extra spend.
A memorable afternoon, with a few personalised surprises which were a nice touch. It was different enough from our last visit to have made it a whole new experience. There's even an 'a la carte' menu at one point so you have some choices. I think without exception we both loved each and every dish put in front of us. Can't fault it TBH.
A memorable afternoon, with a few personalised surprises which were a nice touch. It was different enough from our last visit to have made it a whole new experience. There's even an 'a la carte' menu at one point so you have some choices. I think without exception we both loved each and every dish put in front of us. Can't fault it TBH.
Did you guys keep getting topped up? I think we had almost a full bottle of the final red lol! Don't remember the car home.
What were your personalised surprises? I got a little fat duck/BMW M3 key ring and the Mrs got a little Louboutin moneybox hehe! I was gobsmacked.
Also we didn't get an a la carte menu?! I wonder why!
Slightly annoyed everything was ex VAT but nevermind. Definitely worth it!
What were your personalised surprises? I got a little fat duck/BMW M3 key ring and the Mrs got a little Louboutin moneybox hehe! I was gobsmacked.
Also we didn't get an a la carte menu?! I wonder why!
Slightly annoyed everything was ex VAT but nevermind. Definitely worth it!
AshBurrows said:
Did you guys keep getting topped up? I think we had almost a full bottle of the final red lol! Don't remember the car home.
What were your personalised surprises? I got a little fat duck/BMW M3 key ring and the Mrs got a little Louboutin moneybox hehe! I was gobsmacked.
Also we didn't get an a la carte menu?! I wonder why!
Slightly annoyed everything was ex VAT but nevermind. Definitely worth it!
Top ups were not over-generous, but we got them. What were your personalised surprises? I got a little fat duck/BMW M3 key ring and the Mrs got a little Louboutin moneybox hehe! I was gobsmacked.
Also we didn't get an a la carte menu?! I wonder why!
Slightly annoyed everything was ex VAT but nevermind. Definitely worth it!
Your surprises sound a bit different to ours and no idea why you didn't get the menu. It's such a well-rehearsed experience, I would have expected it to be identical.
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