If you’ve ever been to an extremely posh restaurant for a taster menu....

[ItchyScratch]

DH & I are soon going to be going on our first night away in MANY years (lost count)

We decided to push the boat out and book a very fancy restaurant (I mean these days you’re lucky if we can manage McDonalds)

The restaurants we are looking at are those type that do a 7 course taster menu, usually about £100+ per head.

My first question is- what was your experience like and do you recommend it?
We are thinking you only live once and to try it out. Just don’t want to be disappointed and think we wasted money.

My second question- the websites for the places I’m looking at don’t show a drinks menu but do say there is a choice of a paired wine tasting menu (£75 each! What!!) but neither of us drink wine (I would be drunk after one glass)
But the only other option is named as a ‘non alcoholic flight’ and that’s £48 each- god knows what you get for that!
So what did you do?

I’d be embarrassed to call or email and ask as I’m sure their usual customers would be well accustomed to their ways and would have no qualms in paying £48 each for some unspecified none alcoholic drinks.

Thanks in advance- from someone desperately trying to experience being rich/posh

The kitchin is amazing. I didn't get a wine flight when I went but will next time. Think I had a glass of wine and a G and T, partner beer I think. Well worth the money

All three dishes were made especially for us.
There was a whole shot of single malt in my birthday dessert!

@IHaveBrilloHair that's enough from you! 🤣

The other two dishes were at separate meaks, one is half a Newhaven lobster wirh snail butter, the other is oysters three ways, one if which had cornish caviar on it.

I think I’m sold on the Kitchin !

I’ve been to a few, the best one lasted 3 hours, make sure you’ve got enough to talk about you some times get a veggie/meat/fish choice too.
www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/

@yellowgusset the place I went to in the UK was Auberge du Lac near Hatfield. It was a good 12 years ago now but I'd go again. The other one was at a hotel in Singapore where one wall was a window into a full-size aquarium full of sharks and manta rays. I'd go back there too!

Oh you will love it! I've done them a few times and hey are a real treat! Usually the waiters explain everything and tell you all about each course, it's part of the experience

Enjoy yourselves x

NOOOO!! The Kitchin is fully booked on the date we needed!

The Table and Aizle also really excellent in Edinburgh...

I also want to know where the best ones are. What’s your recommendations?

@ItchyScratch I’ve had several of these type of menus and enjoyed them all. I’ve only been to the Kitchin for lunch, and it was some of the worst food I’ve had. It was a few years ago, maybe it’s better. It was very much chef showing off versus taste.

God yes do the kitchin, I’ve been a few times and it’s AMAZING.

Try for lunch rather than dinner with as it’s easier to get a booking. Dinner is usually booked months in advance.

I love tasting menus - you choose things that would wouldn't normally and it expands your palate.
We always order tap water, but usually the wine pairing too. But there will be lots of non-wine offerings there too.

We had an amazing meal in Edinburgh at the festival last year. Purlsane. fabulous food and not that expensive.

I've done it - definitely go for the paired drinks if you can. Being quite pissed and surprised by everything they bring you is the joy of it. It's lovely. I really like the fact that you don't have to choose anything and even if you don't like every single thing they will bring you something else delicious in a minute.

I went to Martin Wishart at Cameron House a good few years back, its about 15 minutes from where I live.
The food was delicious but the servers were horribly snooty so I never went back.

We’ve always done it with wine pairing, but I’m sure doing without is just fine.

We do this a lot as dh is a complete foodie. Our most recent, just pre lockdown was at Frog by Adam Handling and it was amazing.

I went to the Manoir this summer and it was amazing. I'd go again tomorrow if I didn't have to go to work!
L'enclume is great, as is Forestside. Really enjoyed Mana for the open kitchen. Adams was delicious and interesting. Fat Duck was an experience but it's the only one I wouldn't go back to.

We did one last year and it was amazing. We went to one in London so was a bit pricier. As they served each course, they mentioned what it was and some of the food choices were a bit One of our dishes was a ‘January cabbage with kumquat’. Honestly, whatever they put in front of you, just try. I was ready to run into the kitchen and ask how the bloody hell I cook cabbage with kumquat because it seems so unfair they’ve introduced me to this wonderful combination and I’ll never be able to recreate it!

We had the wine pairing. It’s expensive and I was a bit apprehensive as I don’t like white wine and figured some of the wines would be white. I was right. However, all the wines were absolutely gorgeous and went beautifully with what we were being served. I know you don’t drink but from my view I’d probably splash for the non-alcoholic option over just tap water because they should have picked the drinks to go with the courses just as beautifully as they do with the wine.

The Kitchin in Edinburgh is incredible. Best meal of my life.

We got the wine fleet and were horrified to discover we got a glass with every course, we were so drunk by the end and would just by a single glass next time.

The rhubarb at Prestonfield house is stunning as well, it's an incredible atmosphere and experience.

Enjoy!!!

really recommend it we went to midsummer House and we did the wines and also had drinks after but bear in mind a normal drink is double the price than in the pub, we had a Gin and Tonic and it was £10

Yes, a couple of weeks ago at a Michelin started restaurant. You’re paying for the whole experience not just the food. This particular place was very intimate, attentive waiters and sommelier to talk you through the drink options. If you don’t go for the paired drinks menu, there should be a normal drinks menu. There’s no pressure and it shouldn’t be stuffy. It should feel special and exclusive but not intimidating. It was our first time and I’m so glad we went. Please report back to us!

Oh I just saw your staying only for one night, prestonfield house is a bit far out for you then, try the Witchery their sister place on the royal mile. Not cheap but really good and just an amazing place to visit too

Done it once, went to L'enclume in the Lakes, enjoyed the taster menu and was offered a cheese course, that was my favourite part, we were taken on a cheese journey 😄 we just had soft drinks as the wine menu to go with the taster menu was around 50 pounds each!