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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to go to the Fat Duck for my 40th

77 replies

MrsHelsBels74 · 23/05/2012 20:25

Its not for a couple of years but we'll probably have to start saving now. I'd really like to go but I feel hubby isn't too keen, & it's a lot of money to spend if you're not going to enjoy it.
My husband wants us to have a joint 40th party instead, but my birthday is in July & his isn't until December so I don't really think this is doable.

AIBU to think that it's my birthday, we should do what I want (assuming we can actually afford it) with the proviso that I have to go along with whatever my husband wants to do for his birthday?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 23/05/2012 20:28

What is it? Confused

beatenbyayellowteacup · 23/05/2012 20:30

Ooohh yes!! Alternatively you can go to Hind's Head which is the pub next door also run by Heston. It's pub grub but at it's finest.

OR - you can go to the Ledbury for a Sunday menu which is reasonable.

AntsMarching · 23/05/2012 20:30

Oh do it! I've been once and it was worth every penny! The food was delicious, but it's more than that, it's an experience. Unfortunately, an experience we could only afford once!

JosephineCD · 23/05/2012 20:30

Heston Blumentall's restaurant. £180 per person for things like snail porridge and "salmon poached in a liquorice gel".

jazzchickens · 23/05/2012 20:30

I would like to go for the experience.

I think I would eat before I go though as the dishes seem to be more taste experiences than designed to fill you up Smile

I expect there is a big waiting list so you might need to book now.

Anyhow, YANBU.

NickNacks · 23/05/2012 20:31

I'd also book now as the waiting list is huge.

Waswondering · 23/05/2012 20:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PoppyWearer · 23/05/2012 20:32

YANBU.

Or could go to his pub instead? Os his place in London?

I went to Raymond Blanc's place for a birthday meal, was a spectacular setting and stunning food. Recommended!

FlossieMae · 23/05/2012 20:37

it's really, really overrated, I seriously would not bother. The river cottage is much better and less than half the price, including wine.

kickassangel · 23/05/2012 20:37

I tried to get a table there once - I phoned every day for a month but never got through to booking. They only release tables 3 months in advance, one day at a time, so you have to be among the first 10 people to get through. Then you have to try again the next day, and the next etc.

PrematurelyAirconditioned · 23/05/2012 20:44

Have been, was fantastic, (no you absolutely shouldn't eat beforehand - the courses are teeny but there are about 10 of them) but you don't get change out of 500 quid for 2. Tough call if you're not both really up for it (or so rich that 500 quid is neither here nor there).

Maybe you could do the set lunchtime deal at Dinner by Heston in London instead - I think you could get away with 100 quid for two there and the food is lovely (though the iconic dishes aren't normally on the lunchtime set menu).

elizaregina · 23/05/2012 20:50

yanbu - can you take a friend or reli instead?
the last thing you would want is a miserable face sat opp you!

I want to go too. my goodness if you start saving a few years before why not!

JudithTaverner · 23/05/2012 20:54

I took my H for his 40th - it was lovely (and I'm not that much into food either really). we stayed there for a night too in a lovely cottage.

It was a really memorable experience.

You can't book a long time in advance- they open the bookings a couple of months in advance and you just have to queue up on the phone and hope you get a table. I don't think yabu - it's your birthday you should do what you want!

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 23/05/2012 20:57

I think it's overrated too, but if that's what you want to do then that's what you should do. Have you thought about a meal and night at the Crazy Bear?

IvanaHumpalot · 23/05/2012 20:59

I can understand why the critics love it. If you make your living by eating out all the time, then this place is not the norm.

I would describe the meal as different, not different bad, just different. I'm not sure i enjoyed it as experienced it. On saying that, I'm taking DH to 'Dinner' next week - he's desperate to try it.
It's your birthday - you can pay for overpriced food if you want to...

ps: Le Manoir is the best place for me. Amazing food, beautiful gardens.

DukeHumfrey · 23/05/2012 21:01

How would you/he feel about Le Manoir? Less "out there" so possibly more appealing to someone who's unsure.
Went to the Manoir once a few years ago - amazing evening: food, wine, service. Keep thinking I must make an opportunity to go for lunch some time - a lot cheaper (though hardly grub on a budget).

wherearemysocks · 23/05/2012 21:03

poppy did you go to Raymond Blanc's restaurant in St James? I thought the food was very mediocre, and the service was snooty but actually very below par - we had to refill our own water and wine glasses, which I don't mind doing normally but when I'm paying those prices and staff are floating around the place with nothing else to do I think they should notice.

As for Heston, I love his ideas so I would be very interested to try his food, but I would probably go for one his more affordable places.

Meglet · 23/05/2012 21:05

yanbu.

A girl who used to wax my legs saved up and went with her boyfriend a couple of years ago. She loved it. Said they didn't drink though as the wine list was ££££.

Mishy1234 · 23/05/2012 21:16

YANBU, I would love to go. It's one of those things that most people only do once, but you remember forever.

chocoroo · 23/05/2012 21:19

YANBU. Especially as its bloody lovely. Probably the best day out DP and I have ever had. We went for his 30th 3 years ago. Bookings are tricky - we did lunch instead of dinner which I actually think was better as we were eating for about 4 hours!

Dinner by Heston is also good but not as "special".

AkhalTeke · 23/05/2012 21:19

A meal? a meal you have to save up a couple of years for?

what do they serve, roast panda? Confused

Mishy1234 · 23/05/2012 21:19

That said, there are lots of other really lovely restaurants too. Le Manoir would definitely be on my list too.

Or, you could come to Edinburgh for the weekend and eat at Martin Wishart's restaurant, which to date is my favourite. L'Enclume in Cumbria is also lovely and has rooms, so you could make a weekend of it?

Hulababy · 23/05/2012 21:20

The people we know of us who went spent £600 per head for the tasting menu, food and wine.

I turn 40 next year but would rather spend the money on a holiday tbh.

But if it is what you really want to do - fair enough. Does seem a waste of money for your DH though.

TeamEdward · 23/05/2012 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3rdnparty · 23/05/2012 21:24

We went for DH 40th and it was amazing, was a few years ago but I had booked a couple of months in advance I think - at the time if one of you of the table was having the tasting menu -everyone had to have it because of the timings one of our party reacts to seafood and they 'created' alternative dishes for her as we hadn't realised that in advance, the service was impeccable.... the wine was dear but not bonkers but I was bf so not drinking much anyway... worked out about £200 each

the food was mind blowing! still talk about it now sometimes....although we all said it was an odd meal in a way as it was less us chatting to each other about stuff and more talking about the food (and the crockery/presentation) Grin

for my 40th we stayed in a yurt and went to the pub so completely different Smile but your birthday your choice if dh doesn't want to go go with a friend

have been to the hinds head a few times and its good but not the same at all

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