Best restaurant in England?

[NSEA]

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!!

Both the Ivy in Marlow and the Hand and Flowers are totally over-rated on this thread and IRL - one's like a chain brasserie and the other is a glorified gastropub

I agree that the Hand and Flowers is very overrated but I really like The Ivy especially the waffles It is not upmarket but it's nicer than the average chain brasserie. I like the fact you can chose lighter more snacks meals. The service is good and I don't find it too expensive. It will be interesting to see if they are trying to appeal to too wide an audience.

I've been to the Hand and Flowers three times and I love their desserts but find their other food very underwhelming.

As we've moved into ones we are baffled by the love for, dinner (ok but don't get the raves) fera (not a patch on either lenclume or roganic)!and cinnamon club (typifies the worst of Westminster dining!)
Has anyone been to Kenny's place in Newcastle which I irritatingly can't remember the name of?

@PetalMettle - House of Tides. Can recommend also - it was amazing (but pricey!! Definitely once or twice in a lifetime)

Thank you @sadtrombone ! Had a complete mind blank. We were going to go when I was pregnant but I was too freaked to travel

Spidergirl is Le Talbooth still good? Dh and I went there for our first wedding anniversary and also stayed at the Maison Talbooth. But that was over 20 years ago! We must go back

@PetalMettle possibly for the best as food was incredibly rich, no á la carté only an 8 course tasting menu. I think if I was pregnant it would have floored me (and I can really eat!!)

Fat Duck was good but the tables are too close together. We were wedged under the stairs up to the washroom.

I used to live close to Winteringham Fields. Lucky enough to go there often.

I live quite near Winteringham Fields too - went for special occasions when the Schwabs were there , with the Michelin Star.

It changed hands, and even then we had some lovely meals there -even though it lost its star.
The last time we went, it was for DH's special birthday,- we stayed overnight , and had a tasting menu, breakfast ( extra charge) next day. I was so disappointed I wrote and complained. I had such a snotty letter back, we have not gone back .

The Kitchin in Edinburgh is spectacular.

L'enclume every time in the North!

I really want to go to The Fat Duck but it looks impossible to book. Any tips?

I booked three months in advance but they easily fit us in. It is an amazing experience, but you must love the theatre of the food as well as the food itself.

I was not impressed with Le Manoir, much better places to be had.

Midsummer House is great.

My current favourite place is not Michelin but the food is amazing. It is The Frog by Adam Handling. Quite easy going but the food is stunning.

Hand and Flowers is not that great. OK but not 2 star in my opinion.

Gravetye Manor is very good.

I'd make a beeline for The Waterside Inn. Such amazing food.

Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at The Halkin Hotel is also amazing.

Northcote Manor, near Blackburn. Amazing.

Another vote for Le Manoir and for Midsummer House.

Love The Witchery too, also mentioned earlier.

The Waterside didn't really do it for me, found it a bit dark and stuffy. Hand & Flowers is good food, but somehow the whole pub/restaurant cross doesn't work for me, although the food was good.

L'Enclume definitely on my list.

I heard from a local winteringham fields had gone downhill.

Forestside in grasmere has Michelin star, excellent tasting menu and beautiful rooms.

If anyone is venturing near the Peak District I'd recommend The Lighthouse at Boylestone. It's behind a pub so doesn't look attractive from the road but the restaurant is in a separate building and is lovely. It doesn't have any stars but the food is outstanding. Also Fischer's of Baslow is a little old fashioned in decor but great food and excellent service.

My mum had a bad experience at Les Manoir so I wouldn't recommend that.

The best restaurant I've ever been to was Pied a Terre in London. Second best was Murano (not its cousin Cafe Murano which was a bit disappointing). Pollen St Social is also good but not quite up there with Pied a Terre.

I think I've seen the Ledbury on Masterchef and it looked really nice.

I've often seen restaurants on Masterchef and thought I'd like to eat there. Not when the head chef is a pig to the contestants though.

On a different level, if you are anywhere near Hampshire, the Grapevine in Odiham is very good. It's not a Michelin starred place but it's great food, good value and I liked it better than a Michelin starred place in Shinfield near Reading, which I was disappointed with and cost half as much again.

We always do the set lunch menu as they are good value, can't afford these places in the evening!