(member)

20/08/2008 10:14

Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Heston Blumenthal's restaurant? I am booked there on Tuesday next for lunch with friends and am concerned re the menu- snail porridge anyone?

Its a 4 hour drive each way so I hope it is worth it. We are going down Monday , back Tuesday .

(member)

20/08/2008 10:17

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Probably best to look online which will have sample menus etc. Wow thats a long old drive - The Waterside at Bray (Roux brothers) is much prettier but not so innovative as Heston.

http://www.fatduck.co.uk/

(member)

20/08/2008 10:23

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

This IS the menu -
NITRO-GREEN TEA AND LIME MOUSSE (2001)
OYSTER, PASSION FRUIT JELLY, LAVENDER
POMMERY GRAIN MUSTARD ICE CREAM, RED CABBAGE GAZPACHO
JELLY OF QUAIL, LANGOUSTINE CREAM, PARFAIT OF FOIE GRAS
OAK MOSS AND TRUFFLE TOAST
(Homage to Alain Chapel)

SNAIL PORRIDGE
Joselito ham

ROAST FOIE GRAS "BENZALDEHYDE"
Almond fluid gel, cherry, chamomile

"SOUND OF THE SEA"

SALMON POACHED IN LIQUORICE GEL
Artichokes, vanilla mayonnaise and “Manni” olive oil

BALLOTINE OF ANJOU PIGEON
Black pudding “made to order”, pickling brine and spiced juices

HOT AND ICED TEA (2005)

MRS MARSHALL’S MARGARET CORNET

PINE SHERBET FOUNTAIN (PRE-HIT)

MANGO AND DOUGLAS FIR PUREE
Bavarois of lychee and mango, blackcurrant sorbet,

blackcurrant and green peppercorn jelly

PARSNIP CEREAL

NITRO-SCRAMBLED EGG AND BACON ICE CREAM (2006)
Pain perdu, tea jelly

PETITS FOURS

Mandarin aerated chocolate, Violet tartlet, Carrot and orange lolly

Thats why I am worried!!

(member)

20/08/2008 12:46

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Fair enough, Janmac. Good Luck!

(member)

20/08/2008 13:13

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Janmac,

I do hope you enjoy yourself but I dont think I will bother, and I can see how you would be worried.

Plasmo x

I believe its very expensive to.

(member)

20/08/2008 13:13

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Janmac, dare I say "it's been nice knowing you"? Rather you than me! If you've not reported back to us on Wednesday we're going to worry...

Seriously, I hope it tastes better than it sounds. As OzzieKez said "Good Luck!"

Chrissi

(member)

20/08/2008 13:37

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Yes it is expensive especially adding in the fuel and overnight stay but it is a good friends birthday and he wanted to go. You only live once and its only money.......

I hope the menu is Hype and there is something lovely under all that but - hopefully - will let you know!

(member)

20/08/2008 13:47

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Hi Janmac
I wish you luck with that I don't think even the kids I help to teach could come up with a menu like that.Can't waite to hear all about it when you get back!

(member)

20/08/2008 14:04

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Hi Janmac,

Haven't been to The Fat Duck but have eaten at The Waterside at Bray (by accident as didn't know it was called that when we ate there) and the food was great, expensive but great.

From what I hear the Waterside is much better than the Fat Duck, think it would be too experimental for my tastes.

Let us know how you get on.

(member)

20/08/2008 14:44

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

That menu sounds like it was written by the old woman in Vicar of Dibley lol!

Good luck, you'll have to let us know how it went.

Bluebella

(member)

20/08/2008 15:32

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Hi unfortunately I have a few years ago, I live close by and was taken there for my birthday, it is a very nice place, good service, but I must admit I could not wait to get to the cheeseboard because I new that the cheese was the only food that had not been moudled to some other taste.

Its different and an aquired taste and expensive, it kept repeating on me for three days afterwards, I did not really like the food to be honest but had to suffer it because it was a birthday treat, you never know you might like the taste everybody has a different palet! Good Luck

(member)

21/08/2008 10:54

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Hi Janmac. I have a friend who has eaten there who said it was absolutely fantastic. I have not been there myself but I know from all the places I have been to that, especially with an unusual menu, you have to mentally prepare yourself so that you get the full pleasure from the experience. Sounds like it is going to really be fun. Have your jaws wired together beforehand and released on the day so that you really appreciate every mouthful when you can finally eat!!! No, I didn't literally mean wiring your jaws .....!

(member)

21/08/2008 16:38

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Sometimes think that trendy restaurants are a bit like the Emperor's new clothes - however, he was voted best restaurant in the world by his peers. The a la carte menu doesnt sound as extreme as the tasting menu.

The lovely Raymond Blanc at the Manoir seems to have got it just right as it is spoily, looks beautiful and tastes divine.

I am sure you will have a super time as food critics laud Heston and he is surely a really committed and inovative chef.

The comment about the Vicar of Dibley old lady made me smile as it surely is a menu she would have thought up.

(member)

22/08/2008 09:40

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

I took my OH there for his birthday last year. It was really special. I have to say the menu is unusual but the results fabulous- You will have an amazing time and I wish it was me going!!!

(member)

22/08/2008 11:12

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to eat there but it would be an experience! We took a friend to Hugh FW's River Cottage for his 40th a couple of years ago and I think that was probably one of the best meal's I've ever had in a restaurant. I'd love to go to Rick Stein's as I'm not very adventurous when it comes to cooking fish and would like to see what an expert can do.

(member)

22/08/2008 13:35

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Janmac.
I can't wait to read your follow up post. Don't forget to let us know how you go!

(member)

22/08/2008 18:55

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

I don't fancy all the different ingredients he uses!!!! I would be really interested to know how you get on though.

The best meal we have had recently was at Midsummer House in Cambridge. The food, service, surroundings, food and wine were superb. I would love to go back again sometime.

(member)

22/08/2008 19:54

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Janmac, I am sure you will have a lovely time, these days the menus are there to shock but at the end of the day most good chefs know a good menu.

I am intrigued to know you experiance of this...

We have a Marco P W resturant near us, which I would love to try but apparantly, if he's there he does shout at you if you ask for your meat well done (which is the only way I can eat meat).

I am too cowardly for this treatment!!

Have a FAB time

Gilley x

(member)

22/08/2008 19:57

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Yes but in 2002 so can't comment on the current menu - we did want to stop off en route home for toasted sandwiches !

(member)

27/08/2008 15:26

Re: Has anyone eaten at The Fat Duck at Bray?

Janmac, what was it like? Did you survive?

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