Mum's 80th - need help choosing fancy restaurant!

[Eboblah]

My mum loves Masterchef so decided we would take her to a very nice restaurant for her 80th birthday but not sure where to start. Ideally looking for somewhere in the home counties but not central London, somewhere Michelin starred (but not too stuffy/intimidating) and/or that does an exciting tasting menu, be good if we could stay the night there or nearby. Looking for a bit of the wow factor as opposed to just very good food. Was looking at the Tom Kerridge restaurants but while I'm sure the food is amazing not sure it looks that 'exciting' but if you've been please feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

Le Manoir is incredible. It looks fancy but everyone is so kind and friendly they put you at ease and really look after you.

I know people who've been to Le Manoir and stayed there (it's on my bucket list) and they raved about it just the whole thing being a lovely experience. They aren't the kind of people who do this lots and were so at home with it and felt so treated. They've been 3 times now I think.

Not Tom Kerridge! I've been (twice) and didn't enjoy it at all. Food not that great and service was awful! Friends went for a special birthday - food served was not what they ordered and like warm - when they raised it they were told 'that's how chef serves it'.

Manoir is good but it's so famous its like a foodie theme park! Touches of humour in the service but we did feel as though they were trying to get rid of us in time for the next sitting!

The Waterside Inn (Bray) has had 3 stars for 40 odd years. Service is friendly, food excellent, good wine choices with a not snooty sommelier! Because its smaller than the Manoir the staff have time to interact with you. They have rooms and a cottage (I think) so you can stay. You can also hire their boat to have a trip on the river!

Echo the Manoir recommendations, also Tommy Bank’s place The Black Swan at Oldstead in Yorkshire is fabulous. So friendly and delicious tasting menu.

One of the last Professional Masterchef contestants ( did he win - can't remember) was from South Lodge in West Sussex, The Pass Restaurant. I've eaten at South Lodge many times but not in recent years. South Lodge is lovely and nice coastal places to visit not too far away. There's also the gorgeous Leonardslee Garden adjacent to SL which itself has a Michelin Star Restaurant, L'Interlude.

Apologies, just saw the Home Counties stipulation!

What a lovely idea. I cannot comment on location however don't leave it too long to book. There is a Michelin star restaurant near me (staffordshire) that I wanted to try, the next available slot is mid 2025! There was me thinking you could just book it like a local Toby!!

To echo the others, my mum loved Le Manoir for her 70th. They used to do a daytime cookery course as well which she thought was amazing.

OP why don’t you use the Michelin guide website to search for what’s around in the area you want to eat at https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/selection/united-kingdom/restaurants?showMap=true

Another vote for Le Manoir (although it is really, really expensive, especially if you want to stay.)

Haven't been to any of Tom Kerridge's places, but friends of ours went to the Hand and Flower recently and said it was very disappointing.

https://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk Gravetye Manor is very good

... and you can stay there too - lovely rooms.

The French Horn in Sonning has had an excellent reputation since forever, and I am told L'ortolan is also excellent.

Is this Upstairs?! It’s very small, not many covers. But the food was worth the wait!

I haven't stayed at Le Manoir so can't comment on that but I would highly recommend the food and the service we received there.

Recently went to the Hand and Flowers and it was OK

We then went to The Vineyard, it’s not Michelin star but the tasting menu was amazing

For something different have a look at Pulpo Negro, they do amazing food and have a cellar that you can rent out privately if there are a few of you

Yes!!! I know people who’ve been and said the same, however i dont know what im doing next week let alone next year!

Wherever you choose make sure it serves the kind of food she would like to eat/can eat. No point in going to somewhere posh and expensive if she isn't going to enjoy the food!

Another vote for the Waterside Inn. Money no object, but it really does deliver. The whole experience is amazing, subtley theatrical. Parking's a nightmare, but they disappear with your car (I regretted not cleaning it, but there was no hint of a raised eyebrow) and it's magically outside waiting for you, warmed up in winter, when you leave. Or, of course, you could always arrive by boat!

We went for a special occasion when one of my DC was quite small (but old enough to enjoy the experience quietly) and, as there was nothing that suited on the menu, they produced a small portion of apparently 'the best chicken and chips ever' and didn't charge us. That said, a noisy or screen-watching or running-around child would be unthinkable.

I don’t know much about restaurants outside London, but just wanted to say you are right to follow your instinct to avoid Tom Kerridge restaurants. I can only assume he is no longer as involved as he used to be because by all accounts he is a fantastic chef. But I have been to 2 of his places and they were below average. Even had to send one of our courses back at the Hand and Flowers, which is not something I do often or lightly.

Good luck at choosing somewhere lovely!

I went to the Manoir for my 50th. We had the tasting lunch on a summer Saturday and it was amazing. The gardens are simply superb. Staying the night is stratospherically expensive though.

The great thing about really top end places (like the Manoir for example) is that they will cater for anything. I have been lucky enough to be invited there and they are very helpful especially if you flag any particular requirements in advance.

If Oxford works for you I would suggest the Old Parsonage, which is lovely. However my experience of the Alice restaurant at the Randolph was very disappointing.

I've never been, but I've heard good things about this place:

chapteronerestaurant.co.uk/

My parents have stayed at Le Manoir twice for special occasions and loved it both times.

Would definitely recommend the Manoir. you can just go for a lovely lunch, tell them it’s for a special birthday, and she will be really spoilt
We went to The Hand and Flowers very recently and were very underwhelmed.

My suggestions are purely based on my Ds's views of places he would consider being employed. As he works, as a chef de partie (quite junior) in a five star hotel and wouldn't take work in a kitchen that wasn't ambitious, I do value his opinion. And my Dsis is a hotel inspector/mystery shopper, so her praise for the French Horn (which also has lovely accomodation) is real. She's also about to inspect Gravetye this year, and is looking forward to it.