Fine dining: terribly overrated?

[JanisMoplin]

This would make a perfect AIBU but I am too scared to post there.

Am I wrong in thinking fine dining ( in London) is just way too overpriced and disappointing?Let me clarify that I don't do this fine dining out of my own pocket mostly; it is for company hosting. But lately I have been disappointed by the declining quality of so many restaurants, including Gunpowder, Yautcha, Veeraswamy's et al... I find much better food in grubbier restaurants, and it seems like my company is mostly paying for the rent. Yesterday I did go to one fine dining restaurant and paid out of my own pocket because it was a significant family birthday. Portions were tiny and mostly padded with lettuce, and sometimes cold. I could honestly have cooked better at home.

I know it is a first world problem and most people never get to go at all.

Why would you be scared to post this in aibu? People really won’t care that much if you don’t like fine dining.

some I like, some I don’t. It’s not a big deal.

Because many responses on AIBU tend to be unhinged these days.

Ok

It's not my thing at all. I like to actually enjoy my food, not just nibble at tiny morsels.

Imo. Like anything it depends on where you go and what you expect.

Personally I really enjoy fine dining. I have some good restaurants close to where I live. I have not eaten in London restaurants since before covid.

I completely agree, food doesn't really interest me beyond the social aspect and I can get that fitting anywhere. That said, I really enjoy cooking, but even then it's to keep me busy and not because I have an interest in the food itself, hard to explain, lol

My good friend will happily spend hours and £££ on fine dining, she loves it all and is interested in taste fusions etc etc.

Each yo our own!

It’s gone downhill in lots of places, across the board not just high end. Rising costs, staffing issues, supply not being as it was- quality of eating out on the whole has really taken a nose dive in lots of establishments.

I guess it's been a triple whammy for restauranteurs. First Brexit, then the pandemic, then the Ukraine crisis which has increased costs. That said, my local hole-in-the-wall Chinese has managed to retain its quality. I wish I could persuade colleagues to eat there!

yanbu

It depends what you call fine dining. Le Manoir au quatre saisons etc were definitely worth it for me, the flavours were out of this world,

Some I've been to, especially in London seem to rely on a good location and a high price. The food was nothing special at all. If in London now, I tend to go for a good pizza.

I love a tasting menu (if that's what you mean by fine dining). It means I try things I would never choose from a standard menu, and there's so much variety. Plus I love the concept of several small things rather than a few bigger ones. More flavours, textures, ingredients... I also enjoy the complexity of some of the dishes, and the use of unusual combinations. We went out for DH's birthday in March where charcoal was used as a flavour (was delicious), and pudding was a beef-fat sticky toffee pud - to die for!

It's very much a 'special occasion' thing, and not something I'd pay silly money for (so that rules out all the top chefs), but I love the whole experience of it.

If you're in London, go to Copper & Ink in Blackheath. Their tasting menu was amazing, and the atmosphere in there was lovely - really relaxed and laid back. The wine pairing was really reasonable too, with wine I NEVER would have chosen from a list.
Also Trishna in Marylebone. Fabulous Indian tasting menu. Go at lunchtime though - we certainly didn't need to eat again later on, and would have struggled at dinner time!

I'm one of those people who really likes fine dining.

Yauatcha has been shit for a while, to be honest. It was OK 10 or so years ago. But TBH it's always been a poshed-up version of Wagamama (started by the same chef). I've never really rated Hakkasan either.

I prefer Nobu or Roka for Asian/fusion food (although they are more Japanese, whereas Yauatcha is Chinese). There was a good one in Chelsea called 8 Over 8 but I don't believe it's there any more.

More broadly, I think experiences can vary a lot at any price point. I had a very disappointing meal at the Ledbury a few years ago but lots of people continue to rave about it so maybe we just got it on an off-day. And I think quite honestly you struggle to beat Nando's if you just want a plate of chicken and chips for less than forty quid (for two).

I like Gymkhana or the Cinnamon Club for Indian food. Both absolutely brilliant.

I wouldn't be my thing. I love food, I love eating out and I love cooking at home. But anytime we have gone somewhere a bit 'posh' DH leaves hungry. Last time starters and mains were pretty miserable portions so after the plate was put down we quickly ordered extra sides.

I love the idea of a tasting menu in theory as I do love trying lots of different things. But in saying that I didn't think I was a fussy eater, turns out I am. Not eating fish would rule out pretty much any tasting menu I have ever seen, also I am not keen on pork or anything too spicy!

Steak houses and good pub grub seems to be the best options for us!

No matter how marvellous the surroundings, the talent of the chefs and the deliciousness of the food, I would still find myself looking at the plate and saying:

"How much??? I could feed us for a month on what this costs."

And that would rather ruin the experience for me.

I've never tried fine dining but I have to say I don't see the attraction. As my user name suggests, I'm a gourmand rather than a gourmet: small portions of over-fussy food don't appeal to me. On the rare occasions I've seen a few minutes of things like Masterchef I've just sat there shaking my head and saying, "Why?" I don't object to the prices, as I'm sure it's a very expensive business, but I just wouldn't find it enjoyable. I don't like being waited on anyway, and I would go into an expensive restaurant worried that someone would be hovering around and interfering throughout the meal.

I guess it's been a triple whammy for restauranteurs.

Restaurateurs, not restauranteurs. Had a discussion about this at work recently and was amazed that literally none of my colleagues knew the word (even in misspelt form).

This article went viral a while back. I love the way she brings fine dining to life.

It'd bore the crap out of me, but then I regard food as merely fuel apart from a few favourite dishes.

It would be too much of a gamble for me. Your meal, or the experience, might be disappointing for all sorts of reasons - even if food is perfectly prepared sometimes for intangible reasons the whole occasion doesn't hit the spot. If I was wealthy enough for it not to matter, sure, take the risk, but on a budget - no.

I stand corrected!