Which Fine-Dining restaurant in Midlands/Cotswolds/nearby

[havoc]

Not got a bottomless budget, so have sadly eliminated Le Manoir.

But any comments on the ones listed below:-

- The Dining Room, Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
- Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
- Fischers @ Baslow Hall, Derbyshire
- Simpsons / Turners in Birmingham (tempted by Turners - heard good things)
- Lords of the Manor, Lower Slaughter
- Artichoke, Amersham, Bucks
- La Becasse, Ludlow, Shrops
- Mallory Court, Leamington Spa (close to home but heard mixed things about service)


Cheers,

Martin

[Bullett]

None of those but I can recommend
Sat Bains in Nottingham and Hambleton Hall near Rutland Water

Edit - Also Harrys Place nr Grantham (not been myself but my brother said it was excellent)

[silent k]

Went to Whatley Manor a couple of months ago for a family do, and it was very good. Mallory court it generally very good, though sounds like you'd be wanting the main restaurant rather than the Brasserie.

My brother owns Restaurant 23 www.restaurant23.co.uk in Leamington Spa which is fine dining and very good, though might not be on the scale (not the right word I know!) you're looking at though.

[LooneyTunes]

Bullett said:

Sat Bains in Nottingham

FWIW, this is the only supposedly fine dining restaurant I've vowed never to return to in my life (and holds the dubious honour of being one of the three most memorably bad meals I've ever experienced).

[havoc]

Thanks both.

Considered Hambleton Hall as well - thanks.

Rest't 23 - have heard good things about there, definitely on our list to try but this is for a special occasion so want somewhere with a gong or two...

[Bullett]

LooneyTunes said:

FWIW, this is the only supposedly fine dining restaurant I've vowed never to return to in my life (and holds the dubious honour of being one of the three most memorably bad meals I've ever experienced).

May I ask why? it's one of my all time favourites and one I'd definitely go back to. What were the other two?

[Devilstreak]

Bullett said:

Sat Bains in Nottingham

Only restaurant in Nottm that has a Star but I didn't rate it. Had much better experiences/meals in more modest places, Sinatras/Saltwater etc

I realise it could have been an off day for them but we didn't really enjoy it.

[Ilikebeaver]

havoc said:

Not got a bottomless budget, so have sadly eliminated Le Manoir.

But any comments on the ones listed below:-

- The Dining Room, Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
- Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
- Fischers @ Baslow Hall, Derbyshire
- Simpsons / Turners in Birmingham (tempted by Turners - heard good things)
- Lords of the Manor, Lower Slaughter
- Artichoke, Amersham, Bucks
- La Becasse, Ludlow, Shrops
- Mallory Court, Leamington Spa (close to home but heard mixed things about service)


Cheers,

Martin

Somewhere that is definitly worth a shout is The Crazy Bear in Stadhampton - it's just a few miles down the road from Le Manoir

[LooneyTunes]

Bullett said:

May I ask why? it's one of my all time favourites and one I'd definitely go back to. What were the other two?

Service was atrocious - especially with respect to wine.

On one occasion 2/3rds of the glasses on our table were empty. Only refilled when I gave up waiting (the staff having studiously avoided making eye contact for a good 10 minutes) got up and retrieved our bottle of wine from across the room and took care of the matter myself. Shortly thereafter they removed the wine bottle to the other side of the room... thought they'd take the hint. They didn't. Had to go fetch it again myself a while later.

Even removing the service charge didn't prompt any comment from the manager. They clearly knew they'd provided a diabolical service and didn't want to enter into any discussion about it. Sure as hell weren't going to apologise.

Tremendous contrast to other places where the experience has been worth every penny: Ducasse at Plaza Athenee in particular springs to mind.

The other two were 1) a small Italian restaurant where the manager tried to cover for the chef being off sick by doing it himself (very Faulty Towers), and 2) an Indian where the waiting on staff were so rude it was almost funny.

[thenewf]

We went to Mallory Court as few years ago. Found the service excellent and the food was fine but just that. At that price and with a Michelin star I expected excellent. Chess board was superb though.

[lauda]

I can't comment on any of the others but Le Champignon Sauvage was excellent when we went about 18 months ago.

The food, service and wine were all excellent and very sensibly priced considering the quality. Service was friendly and the general atmosphere was very unstuffy and relaxed. The wine list was good but didn't make you feel like they were pulling your pants down on the prices.

If it wasn't a bit of a trek from where I live, I'd be there all the time!

[liamrp]

http://www.thebutchersarms.com/index.html

You'll like!!

[Dunclane]

What about Purnells in Birmingham?

[enioldjoe]

lauda said:

I can't comment on any of the others but Le Champignon Sauvage was excellent when we went about 18 months ago.

The food, service and wine were all excellent and very sensibly priced considering the quality. Service was friendly and the general atmosphere was very unstuffy and relaxed. The wine list was good but didn't make you feel like they were pulling your pants down on the prices.

If it wasn't a bit of a trek from where I live, I'd be there all the time!

+1

[Tokamak]

If you are considering Turners / Simpsons might also be worth having a quick look at Purnells. Had a couple of very enjoyable evenings there, the pigeon was lovely last time I was there (April).