Restaurant recommendation for wedding anniversary...

[sidicks]

Well, despite being on the website at 12pm yesterday, I failed to obtain a table (lunch or dinner) for the Fat Duck for our wedding anniversary.

Please can I have your recommendations for an alternative venue!

(Note we've been to Le Manoir twice before, and although it was fantastic on both occasions, I'd like to try somewhere different).

Thanks,

[easytiger123]

I always enjoy Gordon Ramsay RHR for special occasions. It's on a different planet to his other places. Pied a Terre on Charlotte St is also excellent. Further afield you could try the Waterside Inn though it's not my favourite, and I used to go to The French Horn in Sonning years ago. No idea if it's still any good though. Lovely setting I seem to recall.

[Europa1]

Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental?

[lauda]

The Waterside Inn is perfect for a special occasion. Pretty much the polar opposite of The Fat Duck in culinary terms (by which I mean it's very traditional) but it really is a fantastic experience.

And for what you would have paid at The Fat Duck, you could probably also get a room for the night.

[GCH]

Totally the opposite end of the spectrum, but would echo the waterside if you want to be in Bray.
If you are happy to eat in London, then Le Gavroche is special but also the opposite end of the spectrum - very traditional and french.
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught?
Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental is very good. Chiltern firehouse is crap despite the hype. Pollen St Social is very good, as is The Lecture Room at Sketch.

No shortage of choice!

[sidicks]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far - my wife has suggested The Sportsman at Whitstable!

http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk

Much cheaper than some of the other options above - i know that they have a Michelin star, so must be reasonably good - anyone visited here and have any comments to add?

[lauda]

The Sportsman only ever seems to get glowing reviews from the critics. If it wasn't so far away from where I live, I'd have visited by now. Seems decent value for money too.

[sidicks]

lauda said:

The Sportsman only ever seems to get glowing reviews from the critics. If it wasn't so far away from where I live, I'd have visited by now. Seems decent value for money too.

Around an hour's drive from us, so not too bad. I'll let my wife have plenty of wine with the food, then she will sleep in the car and I can enjoy the drive home!

[Bullett]

Sat Bains in Nottingham was excellent last time I went.

[TIGA84]

sidicks said:

Around an hour's drive from us, so not too bad. I'll let my wife have plenty of wine with the food, then she will sleep in the car and I can enjoy the drive home!

Been there a couple of times, its great if you're a foodie, as the food rightfully is of a very high standard - not so much if you're into a whole high-end experience because it is quite a run down pub in the middle of nowhere, which is charming, but don't be under the illusion that the Michelin star is for anything other than the food.

We stayed here - which was fun if you want a bit more of a seaside experience for the anniversary and only about a tenner in a cab.

http://www.whitstablefishermanshuts.com/

[sidicks]

TIGA84 said:

Been there a couple of times, its great if you're a foodie, as the food rightfully is of a very high standard - not so much if you're into a whole high-end experience because it is quite a run down pub in the middle of nowhere, which is charming, but don't be under the illusion that the Michelin star is for anything other than the food.

I enjoy the experience at places like Le Manor etc, but I'm mostly interested in the food, so don't have a problem with a more down to earth location etc!

TIGA84 said:

We stayed here - which was fun if you want a bit more of a seaside experience for the anniversary and only about a tenner in a cab.
http://www.whitstablefishermanshuts.com/

Thanks - that looks tempting, to allow me to have a few drinks too!

[TIGA84]

They're great, I've stayed in them a few times and I think they've just refurbed them as well.

[sidicks]

TIGA84 said:

They're great, I've stayed in them a few times and I think they've just refurbed them as well.

Looks like they are all booked for the date we need in July.

Thanks anyway!

[Gandahar]

sidicks said:

Well, despite being on the website at 12pm yesterday, I failed to obtain a table (lunch or dinner) for the Fat Duck for our wedding anniversary.

Please can I have your recommendations for an alternative venue!

(Note we've been to Le Manoir twice before, and although it was fantastic on both occasions, I'd like to try somewhere different).

Thanks,

Took my wife here

http://www.restaurantfrantzen.com/en/

It's over in Stockholm small quarter so don't take the GT3, not exactly imposing from the outside

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Restaurang+Frant...

amazing food and experience though. Incredible meal in a really small place.

PS I drive a diesel Yaris also so hope you don't seem to be a bit of a cheap skate with your final choice for your good lady.....

Edited by Gandahar on Friday 8th April 14:41

[SVX]

The Oyster Box in Jersey was a winner for me - perhaps a cheap city break flight?

[loafer123]

Get yourself down here for the weekend...

http://www.aubergade.com/fr/

1hr north of Toulouse.

[sidicks]

Gandahar said:

Took my wife here

http://www.restaurantfrantzen.com/en/

It's over in Stockholm small quarter so don't take the GT3, not exactly imposing from the outside

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Restaurang+Frant...

amazing food and experience though. Incredible meal in a really small place.

PS I drive a diesel Yaris also so hope you don't seem to be a bit of a cheap skate with your final choice for your good lady.....

Looks nice, but we did Stockholm for our 1st wedding anniversary!

(And let's not forget, The Sportsman was her choice...!!)

Edited by Gandahar on Friday 8th April 14:41[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by sidicks on Saturday 9th April 13:46

[andy873]

Get yourself up north and head to l'enclume in Cartmel. Rogen has rooms in the village as well

Then head into the Lake District for a day trip

[pmanson]

andy873 said:

Get yourself up north and head to l'enclume in Cartmel. Rogen has rooms in the village as well

Then head into the Lake District for a day trip

My Brother has eaten there and really enjoyed it.

Another suggestion (that i've eaten at) would be the Duck & Waffle at Bishopsgate in London

[sidicks]

andy873 said:

Get yourself up north and head to l'enclume in Cartmel. Rogen has rooms in the village as well

Then head into the Lake District for a day trip

Thanks - next year, when we have more time, we might well spend the weekend there, but for various reasons, we just have 1 night and need to be home by lunchtime the following day, so that's too far to go.