Tasting / Degustation menus.

[Cactussed]

What do we generally think?

[escargot]

I really enjoy the experience of a good tasting menu. Both have their place however.

[dcw@pr]

generally disappointing, unless you like style over substance

[Bullett]

The sort of places that do these menus tend to be high end/special occasion places, so it fits into a number of those options. Has anyone been to the Fat Duck and not picked the tasting menu?

I normally go for it because it gives me a selection of tastes and flavours that I'd not normally choose if it wsa alc.

[dcw@pr]

Bullett said:

Has anyone been to the Fat Duck and not picked the tasting menu?

they only do the tasting menu now

[Lefty Guns]

I had a 9-courser in Stavanger a year or so ago and it was ace.

9 different (small) glasses of wine to go with it and the (incredibly foxy) waitress sat down and spoke to us about each course and each wine before we started it.

It was a great experience but thank fk I wasn't paying... Together with the bar bill before it was over 30,000NOK (£3k-ish) for 13 people.

Edited by Lefty Guns on Tuesday 13th October 11:14

[Bullett]

dcw@pr said:

Bullett said:

Has anyone been to the Fat Duck and not picked the tasting menu?

they only do the tasting menu now

Ok, they had both listed when I went (that was a year ago though)

[Bullett]

I really like the wine tasting. Sometimes it works with the food and sometimes it doesn't, but always an experience.

[captainzep]

Only eaten one tasting menu. I suppose its heavily dependant on the establishment in question.

I had the Sportsman's tasting menu at Seasalter, near Whitstable which happens to be just down the road.

It was simply the best food I've ever tasted. They had a menu, but brought 'surprise' dishes here and there, between courses.

This is Andy Hayler's (one of the non-tosser masterchef critics) review and takes you through a typical line up.

http://www.andyhayler.com/show_restaurant.asp?id=5...

I'm going again as soon as possible. £55 per head, but it feels good value when you're eating it.

[sleep envy]

Bullett said:

Has anyone been to the Fat Duck and not picked the tasting menu?

next time I go I won't bother with it as although it was fun I reckon once you've done it there's other dishes worth trying

[FunkyGibbon]

Glynn Purnell's "Tour" is simply stunning:

http://www.purnellsrestaurant.com/menus.php?item=9

The burnt egg is awesome.

The atmosphere and staff there are great too.

Edited by FunkyGibbon on Tuesday 13th October 15:56

[Puggit]

I've had the tasting menus at the Fat Duck and Le Manoir - both utterly fantastic experiences (with the 3* of FD eclipsing the 2* slightly). If someone else paid I'd be back like a shot to both of them.

[tuskkev]

Has anyone had the tasting menu at the Waterside inn in bray.
I can't make up my mind between the FD and the waterside for my birthday. Although I think I will be staying at the waterside either way.

[Bullett]

The Fat Duck was exceptional but I'd say I prefered Sat Bains for the actual food and The FD for the theatre of the thing. Sats wine matching was the best I've personally experienced.

I've done others but to avoid this getting into a been there sone that thread I say the other 'best' was the tasting at Murano - truely wonderful.

Still, booked into the Waterside on the 24th so will let you all know if that's better.

[JamieBeeston]

FunkyGibbon said:

Glynn Purnell's "Tour" is simply stunning:

http://www.purnellsrestaurant.com/menus.php?item=9

The burnt egg is awesome.

The atmosphere and staff there are great too.

Enjoyed a nice bottle or two of pooh with the man this summer..

Must say I'm a little disappointed I've not yet managed to eat there ... yet..

I think I'll make a special trip next month with some mates from the area, taster menu with wine will certainly be the only option.

If the Chef doesnt know what's going to make you salivate.. who does!

[shirt]

i've never had a tasting menu. been to a few places with them on offer, but never with someone worth spending the money on

£55 head sounds fine zep. pity its so far away. i very much doubt there is anywhere with a tasting menu in hull! ;hehe:

[Bullett]

shirt said:

i very much doubt there is anywhere with a tasting menu in hull! ;hehe:

Wrong!

http://www.winteringhamfields.com/

Ok so not quite Hull but pretty damn close.

[Podie]

JamieBeeston said:

FunkyGibbon said:

Glynn Purnell's "Tour" is simply stunning:

http://www.purnellsrestaurant.com/menus.php?item=9

The burnt egg is awesome.

The atmosphere and staff there are great too.

Enjoyed a nice bottle or two of pooh with the man this summer..

Must say I'm a little disappointed I've not yet managed to eat there ... yet..

I think I'll make a special trip next month with some mates from the area, taster menu with wine will certainly be the only option.

If the Chef doesnt know what's going to make you salivate.. who does!

The missus has been and was impressed. Still on my "to do" list.

[shirt]

Bullett said:

shirt said:

i very much doubt there is anywhere with a tasting menu in hull! ;hehe:

Wrong!

http://www.winteringhamfields.com/

Ok so not quite Hull but pretty damn close.

i know that place, pricey though. there are a few people at work who live in winteringham and i can just imagine the horror of it being associated with hull. its very well to do, what what.

[FunkyGibbon]

JamieBeeston said:

I think I'll make a special trip next month with some mates from the area, taster menu with wine will certainly be the only option.

Followed by the brandy selection of course