Fat Duck, should I want to go there after watching Maste Che
Discussion
ks You don't get those stars just by making it look good. If it was fancy without flavour it would never have taken off like it did. However, having watched every episode of this series so far, the other 3 restaurants they cooked at last week excited me more than the Fat Duck. The Hand & Flowers looked particularly good, that duck looked incredible.
I've eaten there and it is food as theatre rather than food for the sake of food. You spend the entire meal going 'wow' it will go under the experience banner rather than the greatest meal I've ever had banner.
I've also eaten at the H&F (several times) and I found the program very interesting as I've spent time in the kitchen with Tom (lovely man) and his team. My wife got me a kitchen experience morning there a few years back (when he was a 1 star chef). He spent quite a lot of time with me explaining stuff and didn't just pass me off to the junior guys.
I've also eaten at the H&F (several times) and I found the program very interesting as I've spent time in the kitchen with Tom (lovely man) and his team. My wife got me a kitchen experience morning there a few years back (when he was a 1 star chef). He spent quite a lot of time with me explaining stuff and didn't just pass me off to the junior guys.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the taste of the food.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the ambiance.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the service.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the presentation.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the innovation.
If you are interested in cooking and food, you will not be disappointed if you go to the Fat Duck. To compare it to the Hand & Flowers is pointless. They are both great places to go for a meal, but they shouldn't be held up against each other.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the ambiance.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the service.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the presentation.
You don't go to a restaurant just for the innovation.
If you are interested in cooking and food, you will not be disappointed if you go to the Fat Duck. To compare it to the Hand & Flowers is pointless. They are both great places to go for a meal, but they shouldn't be held up against each other.
Went to H&F last year and did a brief review here if it helps:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Output Flange said:
The Fat Duck is brilliant, frankly.
For me, the difference is that having been to the Fat Duck, I wouldn't rush back there - I suspect the menu doesn't change frequently enough, nor would it seem so impressive a second time.
Very similar to my take on it. While the first-time is a true occasion, I would probably only go again if someone else was paying.For me, the difference is that having been to the Fat Duck, I wouldn't rush back there - I suspect the menu doesn't change frequently enough, nor would it seem so impressive a second time.
The Hand & Flowers we go to too often, but it is consistently good. Things like the duck and chips are always on (as you might expect); though last week the missus had venison which was, frankly, better than the duck. Rumour has it there is a book being worked on too.
Just a few points:-
Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
SimonMaidenhead said:
Just a few points:-
Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
I work in maidenhead Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
although i'm glad that they stressed the importance of food over gimmicks, i still don't really see places like the fat duck as dining, it's more like theatre that you can eat. which is fine for some people and has its place - but my place isn't there. it's down the road at the hinds head
The fact that so much emphasis was on presentation (both of the food on the plate and the way it was served) rather than how things were cooked etc says all i needed to know, which is that i'd probably love it but only if i wasn't particularly hungry and only if someone else were paying.
The fact that so much emphasis was on presentation (both of the food on the plate and the way it was served) rather than how things were cooked etc says all i needed to know, which is that i'd probably love it but only if i wasn't particularly hungry and only if someone else were paying.
skinny said:
although i'm glad that they stressed the importance of food over gimmicks, i still don't really see places like the fat duck as dining, it's more like theatre that you can eat. which is fine for some people and has its place - but my place isn't there. it's down the road at the hinds head
The fact that so much emphasis was on presentation (both of the food on the plate and the way it was served) rather than how things were cooked etc says all i needed to know, which is that i'd probably love it but only if i wasn't particularly hungry and only if someone else were paying.
Oh, you don't go hungry at TFD. But it certainly all tastes nicer if you don't have to pick up the bill...The fact that so much emphasis was on presentation (both of the food on the plate and the way it was served) rather than how things were cooked etc says all i needed to know, which is that i'd probably love it but only if i wasn't particularly hungry and only if someone else were paying.
SimonMaidenhead said:
Just a few points:-
Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
Shame you had a bad experience at the H&F, I definitely wouldn't say "don't go there" even though I have mentioned before, beyond the out and out quality of food, service can be "charmingly innefficient", though more recently it has been spot on. I guess because I've been going there a while so it doesn't seem like a 2 star place, still feels like a small, friendly pub with amazing (and now expensive) food. Hand and Flowers................Don't, had a terrible meal and bad service there, however the Vanilla Pod just down the road is excellent.
Fat Duck, go for the experience, you'll never see food in the same way again. In fact go to Bray, Heston also owns the Hinds Head and The Crown (Hinds Head has just got it's 1st Michelin star). Caldesi is a fantastic restaurant and of course you have the Waterside.
Michel Roux last night was raving about the BFG saying it was the best he'd ever had, are you trying to tell me he's never eaten there before? His Uncle owns the Waterside, which is less than 200 meters away.
We were lucky to have booked lunch there the day after the Masterchef show and the place was really buzzing, the waiting staff were so chuffed to have been featured and the place & Kerridge had come across so well. They had received over 800 email enquiries for bookings when they came in that morning and the phone had stopped working!
The Fat Duck is something else, even if it is also in an old pub. Like a poster above says, it was formal, pure brilliance in the taste & theatre in presentation. We had a booking at 7.30 and came out after 11. Every 20 mins or so another dish was brought out, with matching wine, so we were completely smashed at the end (beware the tasting wine to match - there is a lot of it!), but I don't feel the need to go again even several years later as the menu does not seem to have changed fundamentally, so the original surprise will not be there.
For out and out luxurous dining the Waterside really does it for me, I've probably been every other year for a special occasion and I love being looked after the way they do there and given great French food and the little titbits that go with a meal, all overlooking the river. I remember the first time I went I was young, nervous and intimidated by it all, but the charm of all the staff, the way the experience was set up to look after (and not just entertain) the diners, made me an instant fan for life. I may have had better food elsewhere but the nothing too much trouble service, and the little extras makes it every time.
Ok maybe I was a bit harsh in saying don't go there, but I wont be going back. Maybe we went on a bad day, but your "charmingly inefficient" equates to my totally inept, one main course completely wrong as well as one starter wrong and I've tasted a better dessert out of a pot from a supermarket. If you haven't tried the Vanilla Pod in Marlow, I can higher recommend it, also Caldesi in Bray and The Royal Oak in Paley Street.
majordad said:
I did aspire to a visit sometime but after seeing the Finals of Masterchef tonight I wonder do I really want to. Seemed to me the emphasis was on presentation not cooking and actual food. Anyone who's been there care to comment?
The presentation is pure theatre, but not to the detriment of the actual food, which is of the very highest standard. The opening lime & green tea palate cleanser is probably the best example; a very theatrical experience that tastes incredible but also does the job of firing up your tastebuds superbly. I'm lucky enough to have been twice and watching the show and seeing in more detail how some of the dishes were constructed actually made me want to revisit. Both visits were very memorable and definite culinary highlights.
We don't just eat with the tastebuds and while some of it borders on gimmickry I don't think it ever crosses that line.
Gruffy said:
The presentation is pure theatre, but not to the detriment of the actual food, which is of the very highest standard. The opening lime & green tea palate cleanser is probably the best example; a very theatrical experience that tastes incredible but also does the job of firing up your tastebuds superbly.
I'm lucky enough to have been twice and watching the show and seeing in more detail how some of the dishes were constructed actually made me want to revisit. Both visits were very memorable and definite culinary highlights.
We don't just eat with the tastebuds and while some of it borders on gimmickry I don't think it ever crosses that line.
Odd you should say that, or maybe we have different understandings of the word, but I would have thought it was all one big gimmick. I'm lucky enough to have been twice and watching the show and seeing in more detail how some of the dishes were constructed actually made me want to revisit. Both visits were very memorable and definite culinary highlights.
We don't just eat with the tastebuds and while some of it borders on gimmickry I don't think it ever crosses that line.
It needn't be a bad word.
I guess there really isn't any difference between gimmicks and theatrics when it comes to dictionary definitions. When I think of gimmicks I think of cheap tricks used to hide an empty or substandard offering, which I wouldn't apply to The Fat Duck. The point I'm really trying to make is that even if you removed the theatrical elements I still think The Fat Duck would be near the top of the pile.
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