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

Kitchin is my all time favourite so far!

Was due to do l'enclume this year but you know COVID ....

We also did Martin Whishart when we were in Edinburgh, it was fabulous

Yes my husband took me to Maison aux Quatre Saison for the weekend of my 40th. Two Michelin stars. Taster menu priced at just under £200 food only, no idea with paired wine.
It was superb. Faultless. It was like being house guests in a country manor. When we parked the attendant took our names, when we got to the house the staff opened the door and greeted us by name. I have a feeling that nothing would have surprised them - they would and could handle any eventuality with aplomb. It really was in a league of it's own.
I liked a particular dish and asked if the recipe was in any of the Raymond Blanc books. It wasn't, so they kindly got the chef to print it off for me! Truly outstanding and worth every penny.

@GabsAlot
I sometimes struggle to fit in the last few courses, though we always add the cheese, I'm a cheese fiend, then the petits four which come after.
7 courses is actually far more than 7.

I've only ever been to two: Kitchen, which was fabulous, and Purslane, which we didn't like all that much and felt wasn't really worth that kind of money.

Both were gifts as we don't really have that kind of money to spend, and all we had to compare Purslane with was Kitchin, but the food was just nowhere near as good (still nice) and a bit of a stiff atmosphere. But I realise that's probably a bit of a limited review!

@policeandthieves Castle Terrace has closed - couldn’t afford to reopen post-Covid 😞

Can anyone tell me if tattoo sleeves on show would be frowned upon? Maybe even not allowed?

Sorry OP, but I have to agree the kitchen is a wonderful experience. Tom Kit him even came out for some banter!

Could another option be the Andrew Farlie at geneagles? A bit more expensive, but unforgettable.

Or Tom Kitchen even

If it’s the Kitchin I went a few years ago and it was absolutely amazing food! I tried another place in Edinburgh which changed its menu monthly and was themed that I was very disappointed with u fortunately.
Wine pairing is good but you’ll be able to get other drinks so don’t bother if you’re not into it. Hope you have a lovely time

The Kitchin is lovely. Am so sad to hear that Castle Terrace hasn't survived Covid. We had an amazing tasting menu there last year. ☹️☹️☹️

Can anyone tell me if tattoo sleeves on show would be frowned upon? Maybe even not allowed?

I think you'll be fine. There might be a dress code but usually that's no trainers rather than what's on your skin.

Wedgewood do a taste of Scotland tasting menu. Food there always fabulous and lovely staff. Atmosphere great as it is on royal mile/high street so plenty of options for bars too

www.21212restaurant.co.uk/

This is Paul Kitching's restaurant. Their tasting menu will be spectacular, he is a genius and I learnt a lot working for him he is absolutely passionate about food and a complete enigma and an extra detail - the kitchen will be spotless to the point of could eat your dinner off the floor.

I used to work in the kitchen with him as head chef when he was at Juniper in Manchester. This was years ago and I have worked in many restaurants before and since and NEVER have I seen hygiene standards even close to Paul Kitching's. I mean it looks like the kitchen has never been used - ever night. And this was before Covid-19. A few times we went to cook as "guest cooks" in other restaurants and the first thing we had to do was spend several hours scrubbing and deep cleaning the kitchen so that it was to Paul Kitching's incredibly high hygiene standards.
I mean like cleaning the Kenwood mixer with a toothpick, scrubbing and buffing the hobs so they shine every service, sweeping and mopping the floor multiple times during each service, everything is absolutely gleaming all the time or else!
And listen he's absolutely crackers and mad and wonderful but if I as going to eat out anywhere in a pandemic - it would be where he is because its practically sterile!

Oh. And he's originally from Gateshead and has zero airs and graces.

Go to 21212!

Many years ago I would do this a few times a year. I absolutely loved it.

Fantastic food in tiny portions so overall you aren't full to bursting as there are lots of courses to get through.

Just amazing food. Super evenings and I still feel it's good value for what you receive. The memories of the food have never left me.

Kitchin was great when I was there. Food exceptional and service impeccable. We did the wine pairing and it was lovely, but there was no expectation that you would buy 'the package'.

I've also been to Martin Wishart and although the food was very good I didn't find it enough and it wasn't so exceptional that you would badge it as 'an experience' rather than a meal. I was hungry afterwards even with the cheese board & I'm really quite petite. His brasserie 'The Honours' is one I really would recommend, but more for cocktails and a la carte.

Tattoo sleevees on show? Well plenty of the chefs of the world have them....!

I've been to quite a few in the UK and internationally. DH sometimes has the wine flight, sometimes not. If he has the flight then I usually get a glass of champagne to start and then move on to sparkling water whilst having some sips of his wine. Red gives me migraines so I only have the whites, and if I had the entire flight I'd probably end up in A&E with alcohol poisoning. I've never noticed any negative reaction from the waiters/chef for the wine sharing. Sometimes I'll finish with a dessert wine of my own at the end.

If neither of you have the flight, maybe just go for a glass of something on arrival, then something a couple of courses in - the sommelier will be happy to recommend something that will suit - have a glass of something else. You are allowed to buy drinks individually, whether alcoholic or soft.

Have a good time!

The Kitchin is amazing...been 3 times!...x2 had tasting menu , once for daughter's 21st ...she even had a cake and card signed by Tom Kitchin and we got to meet Tom in the kitchen during service, he was lovely and was so welcoming....well worth it! ( oh and the food was incredible!)

Have done a few nationally and internationally - no good for IBS!

I love love the food but incredibly rich. Best value I honestly think - the quality on each occasion has been outstanding.

Generally I don't wine flight on the occasions I have I've got a bit too drunk and thinks can spoil
the experience a little but most recently did a restaurant in Rome and a Opheem in Birmingham and Opheem's wine flight is generous and amazing value! Food is outstanding too.

Ohhhh I'd forgotten about 21212

Good shout!!
I've never eaten there but my ex fil who is a super foodie and had eaten in Michelin star places all over the world said it was the best meal he'd ever had.

Oh and also been to Martin Wishart and No 1 at The Balmoral...would choose The Balmoral over Martin Wishart as food and service was much better ...go to The cocktail bar at The Balmoral pre meal - the bar is lovely

@ItchyScratch
There's no dress code at The Kitchin.
They won't say a thing about tattoos.

@Pipandmum, I ate at Le Manoir years ago too, and the best compliment I can pay it is that I still remember some individual dishes from the tasting menu.

@Snoringferret

100% I have heard a lot of people say that about Paul Kitching's food.

I haven't seen him in years since I left (christ - 14 years ago I worked for him!) but he is respected by other chefs... A lot.