Best dinning experience?

jonny_trousers

okgo wrote:

welkman wrote:

clos maggiore covent garden, full tasting menu with wine. Despite being the eyoungest people in there they went out of their way to make us feel relaxed and the service was superb. The food was the best I have ever had. Funny thing is that my wife thought that I was going to propose to her over dinner; like I would be brave enough to do something like that in public. Would reccomend if going as a coulple but not in a big group.

Was about to suggest this place, went there a couple of months ago, asked to be seated in the convervatory, arrived got the best seat in the house, and spent the next 2.5 hours eating the amazing tasting menue with matching wine. Wasn't cheap, but it was lovely, and it got the thumbs up from the gf.

Will probably book somewhere special for her bday this year, thinking Gavaroche.

I went to Clos Maggiore just before Christmas and although it was a great setting and generally very pleasant, I wasn't that blown away by the food. I'd give it another shot, though.

I've not been to many of the big names in London, but I've been to plenty of Michelin starred restaurants and I'm not sure any can compete with a little restaurant me and my girlfriend visited in Tuscany last summer called La Lodola. It was a really small place where the husband cooked and the wife acted as sommelier and front of house and the entire experience was heaven. It had a tiny menu of incredible tasting food that changed daily, most of the herbs and veg was grown in their garden, there were killer wines at reasonable prices and the setting was gorgeously simple. I don't particularly have a sweet tooth, but the chocolate fondant was unbelievable. We went for a family meal at the Michelin starred River Cafe a couple of weeks later and the food wasn't a patch on La Lodola, but the bill was at least four times as rich.

There's a really fun Anthony Bordain book where he travels the world in search of the perfect meal and in the end he comes to the conclusion that it comes down to way more than the skill with which it is produced alone. I would have to agree.

Canny Jock

I've probably had the best 2 meals of my life here:

http://www.gleneagles.com/hotel/restaur ... ew-fairlie

Closely followed by a couple at St. John in London.

However the best eating experience was probably a weekend in San Sebastian in the Basque - 2 days spent walking round the Pintxo bars which was amazing - not fancy but each of them specialised in something different, have a couple in each one then move on. The town has 3 3 Michelin starred restaurants (same as the whole of the UK) but we didn't make it anywhere fancy.

I highly recommend any real foodies making a trip there.

itboffin

think i'll pop into Keen's at lunch time tomorrow as it's only 1/2 mile from my hotel in Time Sq

then what should i do with the rest of my weekend?

it's been great so far but more needed peeps, keep it going ...

itboffin

Just had the "pig out" platter to share or not ..! whilst not the best in the world food but pretty damn good especially for a tourist trap like time square, defo recommend.

Stevo_666

itboffin wrote:

think i'll pop into Keen's at lunch time tomorrow as it's only 1/2 mile from my hotel in Time Sq

then what should i do with the rest of my weekend?

it's been great so far but more needed peeps, keep it going ...

Do the touristy thing ITB - when we were there in early November we got the ferry from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, went up the Empire State Building and walked around a few landmadmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge. Also The Windsor pub in the West Village is good for some upmarket eye candy ;-)

Agent57

The Bem Brasil rodizio in Manchester was a similarly awesome eating experience. Good job I'm a meat eater. I ate so much, I felt like I was made of meat by the end! I also claimed the crown as King Corpse Cruncher out of the party of about 16 I went with, as I ate more than anyone else (asked for meat at every visit, and usually double portions).

Jay dubbleU

Reminds me of the dish called 'Drunk Prawn' that we had in Qingdao - live prawns in rice wine - drink themselves unconscious and then you eat them

Locally Colleys Supper Rooms at Lechlade - excellent proper puddings, spotted dick, treacle sponge etc

SimonAH

Yep. Staten Island ferry is the best value thing to do in NYC! The globe sculpture at battery park (was at the twin towers and relocated damage and all) is really poignant. Don't bother getting off at Staten Island (Slough is.more interesting)

Guggenheim is well worth a visit (make sure you don't need to use the toilet when you're there as you'll queue for about half an hour) and the central park zoo is a must for the penguins! No, they do not say "smile and wave boys" unfortunately. Do not eat at the Tavern on the Green.

SimonAH

Oh, and finally get a recommendation from the bellhop for a.good takeout pizza place and spend one evening in your room watching a movie and eating a greasefest with Italian sausage and peppers. NY pizza is nearly as good as Chicago, and that makes it to die for!

itboffin

Did Keen's last night, nice venue and staff but food just average.

rick_chasey

Blonde Cyclist wrote:

HL'Atelier de Joel Roubochon. French food cooked Japanese-style. You can sit at the counter and watch the food being cooked too!

Sounds awful!

Japanese? Blergh.

asprilla

Rick Chasey wrote:

Blonde Cyclist wrote:

HL'Atelier de Joel Roubochon. French food cooked Japanese-style. You can sit at the counter and watch the food being cooked too!

Sounds awful!

Japanese? Blergh.

Say that on Masterchef a few weeks ago.

Clarkey, have you been to La Capanna in Cobham? I went a few years ago and it was very good but someone said it had gone down hill. Thinking of there or the French Table for my birthday. Need to book soon as its very close to Valentine's day.

clarkey cat

Clarkey, have you been to La Capanna in Cobham?

No I haven't. Went to the Dining Rooms today though for Sunday lunch. Brilliant!

daviesee

SimonAH wrote:

Do not eat at the Tavern on the Green.

I believe that is the case. However, at this time of year head for the upstairs bar.
I found that a couple if cider infusions warmed me up nicely in the small, cosy atmosphere.

Don't imagine it would be much fun on a warm day though.

asprilla

clarkey cat wrote:

Clarkey, have you been to La Capanna in Cobham?

No I haven't. Went to the Dining Rooms today though for Sunday lunch. Brilliant!

Did you need an afternoon snooze afterwards?

mrc1

This is definitely my favourite place to eat in London.

http://www.santamariadelsur.co.uk/

Fantastic steak, good wine, really laid back and not crazy expensive. I used to live on the road behind it. It's pretty much the definition of a great neighbourhood restuarant.

keyser__soze

itboffin wrote:

Did Keen's last night, nice venue and staff but food just average.

Oh dear, sorry about that. Been twice and had great food each time. Next you'll be telling me you did the Burger Joint and preferred McDonalds....

clarkey cat

Did you need an afternoon snooze afterwards?

Yes, alas did not get it though as Baby Cat was in fine, hyper-active fettle and is now walking so my afternoon was spent running around after him.

Clever Pun

Dinings is very good. Out by edgeware road, it's like a smaller sister version of Nobu. Excellent sushi and the like