My Mrs is taking me up 'the tower' for my birthday

[Soovy]

Give me a wave as you go past my flat in the rib!! I'm next to the Gordon Ramsay pub.

[Garlick]

Will do mate.

I've watched the RIBs flying down the river regularly, and have mentioned that I'd like to have a go on one. Seems she remembered

Looking forward to it.

[chim]

Garlick said:

Seriously, she is.

This weekend I'll be treated to tea at The Dorchester, a fast ride on the Thames rib, dinner at the Oxo Tower and a posh hotel for the night.

Not sure what to expect from either venue, any suggestions on what to try?......oh, and if either are rubbish, don't tell me as I'm looking forward to it

Well. I am pretty sure what you can expect from the Hotel stay.

Not really down to me to offer suggestions on what to do on that one, if you don't know by now you are in trouble anyway. Although perhaps the trip up the oxo tower is thinly veiled hint from the wife.

Ps

Fixed that spelling for you.

[Legend83]

Garlick said:

Oh really....hmm? Best attempt to leave some room then

Garlick - any idea what time you would be eating at the Dorchester? We went to the Lanesborough a few weeks ago and could hardly move after devouring the portions they serve up.

Earlier the better if you are going to the Oxo for dinner too.

[Garlick]

I do, we are due to have tea at 15.00 and dinner at 21.00.

Might have to move the booking a little earlier?

[whitechief]

I wouldn't. You don't have to gorge yourself It isn't just a big plate of Sarnies a la Mrs Doyle. The waiting staff attend to you and will come round every few minutes to see if you would like another.

Edited by whitechief on Tuesday 7th September 17:50

[tonym911]

Genius thread title Paul. On the question of timing, unless you're good at staying up late (no innuendos intended) you'll probably only be fit for flopping out at the hotel by the time you get there after two big stuffings, ahem. Nowt wrong with that but I reckon this is a 'two out of three' type schedule. It's almost too packed with good stuff!

[Vixpy1]

tonym911 said:

It's almost too packed with good stuff!

You can never pack too much good stuff in.. um

[tonym911]

ooh matron!

[Garlick]

tonym911 said:

Genius thread title Paul. On the question of timing, unless you're good at staying up late (no innuendos intended) you'll probably only be fit for flopping out at the hotel by the time you get there after two big stuffings, ahem. Nowt wrong with that but I reckon this is a 'two out of three' type schedule. It's almost too packed with good stuff!

She's worked hard to arrange it all though mate, so I'll do my best to get through it

[tonym911]

Garlick said:

tonym911 said:

Genius thread title Paul. On the question of timing, unless you're good at staying up late (no innuendos intended) you'll probably only be fit for flopping out at the hotel by the time you get there after two big stuffings, ahem. Nowt wrong with that but I reckon this is a 'two out of three' type schedule. It's almost too packed with good stuff!

She's worked hard to arrange it all though mate, so I'll do my best to get through it

Course! It'll be great. You'll just have to pace yourself and don't fill up on bread, as they say at all the best Northern buffets.

[tonym911]

Sorry nobody's come up with much in the way of menu suggestions. I lunched up the Oxo about ten years ago and remember it being good but the fine details are long lost. Plus I wasn't paying, which always clouds the issue a bit as you're too busy stuffing your face to care.

[Cotty]

Puggit said:

From what I understand of 'tea at the Dorchester', you won't be needing a meal up the Oxo tower - too many cakes and sarnies.

http://www.thedorchester.com/afternoon-tea-details?sid=8

A selection of finger sandwiches:
Cucumber with cream cheese on caraway seed bread
Egg mayonnaise with shiso cress on white bread
Chicken with wholegrain mustard mayonnaise on basil bread
Smoked salmon on granary bread
--
Warm raisin and plain scones from our bakery
served with homemade strawberry jam, a seasonal jam
and Devonshire clotted cream
---
A selection of French pastries
---
Tea or coffee

---

Looks alright. I realise its your birthday but I would not be tempted to do that and the Tower on the same day. Maybe do "tea" and the rib and save the dinner for another day, but thats just me.

Edited by Cotty on Tuesday 7th September 21:06

[tonym911]

That Dorch tea would do me for the day

[Agrilla]

I haven't been for about 7 years but still remember the breadcrumbed (cooked) oysters I had as a starter, and the most amazing dover sole as a main.

MMMmmm mmmm.

Whatever you have, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Happy birthday!

[Garlick]

Thanks guys.

We are looking into making tea earlier, in fact we'll probably make it lunch instead. It's only one day I suppose, and I could always wear elasticated trousers.....

[RichB]

Garlick said:

I do, we are due to have tea at 15.00 and dinner at 21.00.

Might have to move the booking a little earlier?

Don't worry when I went to the Oxo tower restaurant the service was very slow, it took an hour to be seated and I got the impression they didn't have enough staff for the number of covers. That said the views across the river are memorable, the food wasn't.

Edited by RichB on Wednesday 8th September 20:48

[whitechief]

Cotty said:

Puggit said:

From what I understand of 'tea at the Dorchester', you won't be needing a meal up the Oxo tower - too many cakes and sarnies.

http://www.thedorchester.com/afternoon-tea-details?sid=8

A selection of finger sandwiches:
Cucumber with cream cheese on caraway seed bread
Egg mayonnaise with shiso cress on white bread
Chicken with wholegrain mustard mayonnaise on basil bread
Smoked salmon on granary bread
--
Warm raisin and plain scones from our bakery
served with homemade strawberry jam, a seasonal jam
and Devonshire clotted cream
---
A selection of French pastries
---
Tea or coffee

---

Looks alright. I realise its your birthday but I would not be tempted to do that and the Tower on the same day. Maybe do "tea" and the rib and save the dinner for another day, but thats just me.

Edited by Cotty on Tuesday 7th September 21:06

I've been for it a few times. It is a great experience, but you will not come out stuffed to the gills, you are not in there that long. The food is served to you on a rolling service basis, you don't have a huge platter put in front of you.

[Legend83]

If you can move it back to early lunch do it. You don't want to spoil the evening by feeling completely stuffed.

Bear in mind, 3pm table will mean you will be sat down at 3pm, sandwiches served at 3.10, lots of tea, cakes at 3.40pm, scones at 4pm. So I can't see you finished eating until 4.30....

Whatever happens, have a great time!

[ncs]

Its so easy to get carried away with how much you eat at The Dorchester.

Its a great room & the tes is lovely, but I dont think I could handle an evening meal unless I held back at lunchtime!

Nick