Michelin Starred Restaurants

[TheAngryDog]

I've promised to take Miss AngryDog to a Michelin starred restaurant. Neither of us has ever eaten in one. Can anyone recommend a good one in the South? London / Berks / Herts / Bucks areas?

Thanks.

[TheAngryDog]

Turn7 said:

Maybe not quite what you had in mind, but Mrs T7 took me to the Hand & Flowers in Marlow for my birthday this year.

Id go again, great food, great atmosphere and not silly money either.

Why do you think its not what I had in mind? Is it not "posh" as such? Genuine question, not a dig

Looking at the menu and looks like some nice stuff on there, and its a 2 star restaurant! So that fits my criteria nicely! Cheers!

ETA: Fully booked for a year LOL

Edited by TheAngryDog on Saturday 15th August 21:35

[TheAngryDog]

okgo said:

Maybe narrow down what sort of cuisine you like, its a quite different if you were going to Pollen St Social vs going to Gymkhana!

If you want something that is quite an interesting and clearly extravagant place to go then Sketch is probably not a bad shout, I thought the food was good, but it did have a bit of theatre to it, especially the toilets!

I myself am not too adventurous, though I do eat more food now than I used to, you make a valid point.

It's more a treat for the mrs than it is for me, I am quite simple in my food choices generally! I only started having my steak done anything other than Well Done last February! (I am told if you like your steak well done, then you do not like steak. I now I have it medium rare / medium and it is sooooooooooo much nicer. I was too embarrassed to ask for it well done when I was in France LOL. Best decision for steak ever!

tbh, if the place does steak, I am happy, she can have what ever takes her fancy.

Bonefish Blues said:

Read up on the H&F, some love it, others reckon it overrated (I'm in the latter camp, preferring the Vanilla Pod in Marlow), in fact there's a thread on here if you search.

If you want something truly memorable the Le Manoir would be my recommendation.

Seems immaterial now given the 1 year waiting list lol. Le Manoir sounds French? I don't like "French" food.

Jakdaw said:

You didn't say whether you wanted to go in the next couple of weeks or in 9 months time... you might find the Hand & Flower more suited to the latter!

I've had some very good experiences at The Ledbury in Notting Hill, albeit a few years ago before it got it's second star and a lot of recognition, so availability will be harder now ("We are currently taking reservations for October, reservations for November will open on September 1st.").

Also had a couple of nice meals at Marcus Wareing's place in Knightsbridge - found the food, wine and service gelled really well there & they've much more availability if you want to go relatively soon; probably more pricey though.

I need to work around my work schedule as it is currently, so sometime this year or early next would be nice lol.

I have heard of The Ledbury, I'll check that out. I'll look for Marcus Wareing's place too. Money is an option, but not at the same time if it has the desired affect of what I want to achieve. Thanks!

Turn7 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Turn7 said:

Maybe not quite what you had in mind, but Mrs T7 took me to the Hand & Flowers in Marlow for my birthday this year.

Id go again, great food, great atmosphere and not silly money either.

Why do you think its not what I had in mind? Is it not "posh" as such? Genuine question, not a dig

Looking at the menu and looks like some nice stuff on there, and its a 2 star restaurant! So that fits my criteria nicely! Cheers!

ETA: Fully booked for a year LOL

Edited by TheAngryDog on Saturday 15th August 21:35

I love the whole H&F experience as Im uncomfortable in stiff formal situations - the H&F seems to be a bit of a marmite Michelin place.....

No dress code is what wins me over. Im not a slob but Im no suit wearer either.

Bookiing times give an indication of popularity IMHO.

TK now also runs the Coach in Marlow, which is apparently v good but not yet starred.

Lots will say L Gavroche or L Manoir, all local but I cant comment as not been and not a huge French food fan either.

I think most starred places have looong lead times unless cancellations come up.

I aren't the suited and booted type, but I think it would a nice "experience" to go somewhere upmarket. At least I can then say it is something I've done etc. I don't like French food so those would be out anyway.

[TheAngryDog]

zygalski said:

TheAngryDog said:

I've promised to take Miss AngryDog to a Michelin starred restaurant. Neither of us has ever eaten in one. Can anyone recommend a good one in the South? London / Berks / Herts / Bucks areas?

Thanks.

Chapter One in Orpington.
Michelin Star, not too formal, good value for money & bullet-proof reliability.
I've eaten there 4 times & it's easily worth the star.

http://www.chapteronerestaurant.co.uk/

Thanks, I'll go check it out!

[TheAngryDog]

Upto now I've seen two that look good food wise for me lol.

The Royal Oak near Maidenhead
The Hinds Head in Bray

[TheAngryDog]

Turn7 said:

Hinds Head is good from what Ive heard.

Menu looks decent, might be an option like.

okgo said:

It really depends if you want to make an occasion of it, too, I think. Going to any place in Orpington isn't going to be an event. Where do you live? I think with many of the decent places in London, half of the fun is going for a cocktail first in the bar, enjoying the buzz etc - obviously if you work in London then the west end isn't exactly anything interesting but if you're not regularly there then I think its probably more of an occasion than going to a pub in Bray, which is pretty quiet...all just adds to an occasion I suppose.

The same reason that if I was going to Le Manoir then I'd probably stay the night too, make it something a bit special rather than just another meal and then being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

I live in Aylesbury and I lived in London for a year. Only been up the West End once.

I see what you mean about the occasion, staying away from home can be quite difficult sadly.

BJG1 said:

The Hakkasan in Hanway Place still has its star, doesn't it? Really good food and quite easy to get a table without too much notice.

Is that in London?

[TheAngryDog]

One thing I am finding is that they are not always clear when you can have food from a menu. Some only allow you to have the tasting menu on a Friday and Saturday night, which is a bit frustrating, as I do not like being told what I can eat lol.

[TheAngryDog]

okgo said:

Maybe narrow down what sort of cuisine you like, its a quite different if you were going to Pollen St Social vs going to Gymkhana!

If you want something that is quite an interesting and clearly extravagant place to go then Sketch is probably not a bad shout, I thought the food was good, but it did have a bit of theatre to it, especially the toilets!

I've just come across City Social. Looks quite nice and has views of that there London. Would you, or anyone else recommend here? Table availability seems to be ok as well.

Thanks.

[TheAngryDog]

BJG1 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Is that in London?

Yup!

Thanks, I found it in the end. Sadly I do not like Chinese food

[TheAngryDog]

okgo said:

I've actually not been to city social but I've done most of his other places and always found them to be good, the views will be good from that one for sure.

It looks pretty reasonable from a price perspective as well. Doesn't look too dressy either, more smart casual. It is definitely an option, and may possibly be able to stay a night in London (it doesn't feel special as there is only 40 miles from my home to London, but it would be the done thing).

It doesn't look too posh, but it certainly isn't council either!

[TheAngryDog]

BJG1 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Thanks, I found it in the end. Sadly I do not like Chinese food

It's not really like any Chinese food you'd have in a traditional Chinese restaurant, more fusion cuisine.

Hmmm, thing is, I'd hate to go somewhere and not like the food, seems like a waste to me....

schmunk said:

Forget the Michelin Star, take her up the Oxo instead.

Could mean one of a few things? lol.

[TheAngryDog]

I'll be honest, I am finding it hard to see past CitySocial right now. It looks up my street.

[TheAngryDog]

Bonefish Blues said:

Just bobbed back and saw the Royal Oak mentioned - I much preferred this to the Hand & Flowers, a very enjoyable meal indeed and in no way "up itself".

Fas1975 said:

Could not agree more. So unpretentious and the food is top quality, really love going here

I think I am going to give that one a try - Might be a good one to pop the cherry with. I'm actually going to book it tonight for mid next month and surprise the mrs, as she thinks that I am going to take her later on in the year. Hopefully it'll be a nice surprise. I realise it is not like taking her to Story in London etc, but I expect that she would appreciate the sentiment. I think City Social might be next as well.

tvrforever said:

Right in our location you're spoiled for choice - some great places.

One thing is go an buy yourself a copy of http://www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/ it's great - and a darn good reason to travel the UK to visit the great chefs you don't see on TV...

We've been lucky enough to eat in all of these a fair bit, and they are all recommended thoroughly :-

http://www.theroyaloakpaleystreet.com/ (Parkey's place and great)
http://thebeehivewhitewaltham.com/ (Dom's new place, very good)
http://www.sircharlesnapier.co.uk/ (Chinnor - superb summer location, the original michelin star gastro pub)
http://www.thewoodspeen.com/ (john's new place and very nice)
http://www.thefatduck.co.uk/ (back towards end of year)
http://www.hindsheadbray.com/
http://www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk/ (Amersham)
http://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk/ (we're back again next month)
http://www.belmond.com/le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons-...
http://www.waterside-inn.co.uk/ (superb, and for extra wow book the private house next door...)

Oh and as you're local I trust you've visited http://bellstokemandeville.co.uk/ - not starred food but nice country family pub that James owns... and of course the http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/five-arrows/ is always good for a nice meal

And don't forget, from where we are, Cambridge http://www.midsummerhouse.co.uk/ (utterly superb everytime we've been), and http://www.tuddenhammill.co.uk/ aren't far away (we've done weekends at Tuddenham and Sat night at Midsummer for great bonus points romantic weekend...).

Edited by tvrforever on Sunday 16th August 09:19

You'll be surprised to learn that we have not been to the Bell, however, that is going to change in a few weeks. We have talked about it but have just never gone.

Thank you for your other suggestions, Royal Oak is one we're going to go to, and then go from there. The Fat Duck is closed at the moment according to their website, but I believe is around £225 a sitting from what I've read?

I'll have a look through the one's you've listed, except the French ones lol. The only French food I liked when I was over in France was the steak!

The Hand and Flowers has a nigh on year waiting list!

Edited by TheAngryDog on Sunday 16th August 18:41

[TheAngryDog]

Turn7 said:

We had a nice Sunday lunch in the Bell early part of the year and did promise to return.

Wasnt expensive either.

Im going to book for a Friday or Saturday night.

BTW, did you get my reply to your email?

[TheAngryDog]

Reservation made at the Royal Oak - thanks everyone!

[TheAngryDog]

Turn7 said:

TheAngryDog said:

Reservation made at the Royal Oak - thanks everyone!

Be sure to report back !

Bonefish Blues said:

Report back after the meal please

Enjoy!

Will do guys! I'm looking forward to it. Only an hour away as well so I'll drive there and back (I'm off the booze in September lol).

tvrforever said:

TheAngryDog said:

Reservation made at the Royal Oak - thanks everyone!

Whilst you're browsing the menu make sure your have the scotch eggs as a pre-snack - you'll be glad

You know I have never had a scotch egg, so I will make sure I try them!

[TheAngryDog]

Bullett said:

toasty said:

bigandclever said:

No one mentioned L'Ortolan?

Does anywhere actually serve Ortolan in England? It sounds gross and is illegal in France. Anyone tried it?

Not to my knowledge, not that I'd want to.

I'm curious what the OP actually means by French food.

I guess sweepingly frogs legs, snails etc. Perhaps I will be less sweeping. The French type places seem to be the more expensive but that's not all that relevant.

It's mainly for my gf more than me. Re having steak at a Michelin starred restaurant, what's wrong what that? Ice had steak at various places. Some weren't as goodness others, and having a top chef cook a steak is bound to be better than the local £10 steak place.

Conversely, one of the best beef burgers I've ever had was at a motorway service station in France.

[TheAngryDog]

illmonkey said:

French services will probably beat most UK burger places, it's not a quick stop for them, it's a good meal.

It was a decent cut, and they asked how we wanted it done! Nice.

[TheAngryDog]

Bullett said:

All 'French' though.

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever had Frogs legs, snails are extremely rare (snail porridge at the Fat Duck is the only one that occurs, and he's not cooking in the french style) foie gras crops up quite often but is avoidable. I actually think that phrase is most appropriate french style, using techniques that were invented or populised in france. A lot of it is scary french names for common food.

Enjoy the Royal Oak.

I am going to attempt to be braver with my choices and look at French style restaurants. I guess I just feel into the stereotypical view..

Cheers.

[TheAngryDog]

I'm not obsessed with Michelin, but thought it would be nice to experience it. We have eaten nice food in a lot of places, so figured this was the next step.

I am a very fussy eater, but i am considering having something off the menu that I would never have considered, rather than my default steak