Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to conclude that "Fine Dining" restaurants more often than not offer miserly portions of food?

80 replies

FineDining · 09/07/2024 08:37

Have been to a number of restaurants which are listed in the Michelin Guide. Without exception, the portions have been tiny and we have come out hungry.

Paid £60 for a vegan tasting menu the other week at a Michelin recommended restaurant. After 2.5 hours of getting a tiny portion of food every 15 minutes, we were still not satiated. Had to go to Greggs straight after to top up with a sausage roll after!

I think it's a cheek to charge high prices for portions that wouldn't keep a sparrow alive.

OP posts:
Hoardasurass · 09/07/2024 08:43

The portion sizes of a la carte food is designed around a 10+ course meal not the standard 3 courses that most of these restaurants are serving so yes its a rip off

arethereanyleftatall · 09/07/2024 08:42

I wonder if it's the vegan thing.

As a meat eater I always think the same as you at the beginning, and then by the last petit four suddenly feel completely satiated.

I always assumed it's measured and timed absolutely perfectly to make you only feel full at the last mouthful.

vivainsomnia · 09/07/2024 08:42

Its not about quantity and stuffing yourself. Its about explosions of flavours you don't get in less rated restaurant. You're supposed to take time and appreciate each mouth full.

I do agree though that I also never left feeling hungry, maybe because you take more time to go through each dish.

Coffeerum · 09/07/2024 08:39

I can’t say I’ve ever come away from a Michelin star meal or any tasting menu and been hungry.
The portions are supposed to be small because there are usually significantly more courses.

Sethera · 09/07/2024 08:39

Brace yourself, OP - the competitive under-eaters will soon be arriving to tell you we have 'lost sight of normal portion sizes' 😃