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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Best restaurant in England?

191 replies

NSEA · 02/09/2017 19:25

Can I ask what has been your best restaurant? I'm not talking favourite Saturday night evening out. I mean those ultra special restaurants where you pay ££££s and get 16 courses or something and its all about the experience etc.

Really want to do this. A friend has been to Leeds Man behind the Curtain and it looks fantastic, though Im not a fan of sea food so I am looking for similar but different!

Thanks!!

OP posts:
CaeciliusIstInAtrium · 02/09/2017 20:13

Hedone in Chiswick
Midsummer House in Cambridge
Ynyshir in North Wales (not England but very special)

However, my top recommendation would be The Ritz, the dining room is out of this world, and so is the food!

Sparkletastic · 02/09/2017 20:13

Le Manoir
Best meal of my life and impeccable yet relaxed service.

Original poster
NSEA · 02/09/2017 20:19

You see I thought that of man behind the curtain from the picures though assumed i knew nothing (as i dont).

Thank you for these amazing suggestions

OP posts:
OhMrBadger · 02/09/2017 20:32

Gymkhana in Mayfair. Indian food that is unbelievably good.

Unhomme · 02/09/2017 20:34

Another vote for The Raby Hunt near Darlington. Worth the two Michelin stars...

MarmaladeIsMyJam · 02/09/2017 20:36

strawberry Very much so, maybe I got a bad night, who knows! Staff were up their own arses. When you go to really good places like Le Gavroche, Le Manoir, etc the service is impeccable and welcoming. Not so much at this restaurant. At the end of the day, they are a waiter trying to make you feel like a peasant.

PinkUnicorn1990 · 02/09/2017 20:38

Another vote for Hand and Flowers in Marlow. We went for our wedding anniversary and it was amazing. Great service but not stuffy, very friendly atmosphere. Beautiful food, the best steak I have ever had!Grin

AintNoRestForTheWicked · 02/09/2017 20:39

Oo definitely following this thread! Would love to go somewhere like these places

twoheaped · 02/09/2017 20:39

Northcote.
Love, love his food honest cooking.

twoheaped · 02/09/2017 20:39

good

cowgirlsareforever · 02/09/2017 20:39

I really fancy trying L'Enclume. It's in a lovely town and I've heard great things about it.

Racoonworld · 02/09/2017 20:40

L'Ortolan in Reading. Tasting menu with paired wines for each course!

Evewasinnocent · 02/09/2017 20:41

I've been to the Ledbury - amazing tasting menu! Was for a special occasion and an extra dessert was made for us! Hand & flowers is also very good.

Favourite though is Dinner (at Mandarin Oriental) - always recommend for a special place to eat in London (but I have not been to The Fat Duck or Le Manoir - and friends all say both are fantastic).

Very disappointed with Gymkhana! Babur in Honor Oak is better!

My favourite restaurant in the world so far is La Corte Sconta in Venice (but is seafood!)

Ta1kinPeece · 02/09/2017 20:42

All fish, but I love the Riverside at West Bay

umizoomi · 02/09/2017 20:42

I have been to the Man behind the Curtain in Leeds and wasn't hugely impressed.

Winteringham Fields was better (near Scunthorpe) and they have rooms etc

nokidshere · 02/09/2017 20:44

Le Gavroche and Le Manoir for me - both fantastic.

I'd love to try Menu Gordon Jones in Bath but there isn't a menu, just what he cooks and I'm too fussy for someone else to be choosing my food

MancMum01 · 02/09/2017 20:45

Man behind curtain very relaxed and informal when I went - stunning food and the staff were so enthusiastic about it but just kept the right level of distance so not overbearing.. best meal I have ever had

emma6776 · 02/09/2017 20:45

Timberyard in Edinburgh. Really amazing, unusual food.

KinkyFruits · 02/09/2017 20:50

Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac was amazing. Nathan is actually there cooking, or at least he was when we were there, and we ended up chatting with him quite a while on our way out. Lovely guy and absolutely divine food.

SockQueen · 02/09/2017 20:55

Another vote for L'Enclume. Plus it's in the same village as the sticky toffee pudding shop, if you fancy something a little less fancy-pants!

Found Restaurant Story too try-hard and wanky when I went (which was when it hadn't been open long, so they may have improved). Plus every course was served with pickled something-or-other, it got too sour after a while!

The Waterside Inn in Bray is absolutely gorgeous; more classic French food instead of the crazy wow-stuff of the Fat Duck up the road, but I preferred the Waterside!

Wherearemymarbles · 02/09/2017 20:56

Enoteca Pinchiorri, florence about 13 yesrs ago- even now best by a mile

Better than Manoir et al. But then food is deeply personal.

SnoreBore · 02/09/2017 20:59

Kitchin in Edinburgh or the Raby Hunt near Darlington.

Everythingsr0sie · 02/09/2017 20:59

"Where the light gets in" in Stockport has amazing reviews and is on my list of places to go!

Manchester House in Mcr too.

ivykaty44 · 02/09/2017 21:00

Matthew Norman gave five out of five to Queans in leamington spa

Google his revue and see what you think

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 02/09/2017 21:00

Midsummer House is incredible. Best meal I've ever had.

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