Talk to me about your favourite restaurant ever

[burntpinky]

Posting for traffic but just that: what is your favourite restaurant ever and why?

DH and I are well into our food (and it shows unfortunately!!) and now that we have a DC are going to do 1-2 weekends away per year, just us, to indulge in our favourite pastime (DC will be well cared for by nana whilst we are away - she was a foster carer for over 40 years until recently!)

Our current favourite is Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 which we've been to several times. Also been to Hand and Flowers, which was nice, but wouldn't rush back. I went to Chez Bruce (pre DH) YEARS ago which I enjoyed and The Square which was supposedly 2 M* but I didn't enjoy. Have also tried The Ritz (not great) and 15 by Jamie Oliver (set lunch menu which was fabulous).

Would love to try Black Swan at Oldstead and Le Manoir, but certainly Le Manoir will have to be an extra special occasion as it is so pricey.

So whilst we do love those sorts of restaurants, we also like less fancy too - Rojano's in Padstow being another favourite, Cornish Arms but we also have a local pasta restaurant - dishes are a tenner and the chef also provides the table service but it's so tasty and we love it (he's Italian).

Basically we just love food! (and reading menus and cookbooks is an obsession).

We love to travel just for a restaurant so please hit me with your favourites and why

Petrus by Gordon Ramsey in London. Food to die for (admittedly was a fair few years ago though)

Caveat: it was our anniversary and got absolutely hammered on cocktails at the Mandarin Oriental beforehand so judgement probably not best

The two places together equaled one of my favourite nights out ever though (just don’t look at your bank account after)

My absolute favourite restaurant is an outdoor affair a ten minute walk outside a small fishing village in Crete, surrounded by farmers' fields. I've never tasted food so fresh and delicious. The first time we went there was a goat in the paddock next door, I commented later that week that he wasn't there. We had the special and it was only as I was commenting on how deliciously tender and fresh the meat in the kleftiko was sand that our want lamb at is anticipated, I realised it was probably the goat we saw before. The waitress confirmed it, but you know it was amazing food....

My second favourite restaurant is Loxley's in Stratford on Avon. They do a lovely lovely fish sharing board starter, which I have every time I go, even though all their other starters sounds amazing, because it's just so good. It's really nice food and lovely friendly service.

In London I really like the cinnamon club, if you like Indian food and for something a bit different/dirty chick n sours at seven dials was the best fried chicken I've ever eaten, and the aubergine and watermelon starters are delicious.

Both in Edinburgh:

The Kitchin
Castle Terrace

Both belong to the same group, The Kitchin is Tom Kitchin’s restaurant (he also has a bistro called the scran and scallie which is nice) and Castle Terrace is Dominic Jack’s.

Actually, the most amazing dining experience I ever had (not a favourite restaurant - I think they're different things) was an amazing place called De Silveren Spieghel in Amsterdam. I went years ago for a special birthday. It's in a very old building (14th C? something like that) and is tiny, and we had a very expensive and mind blowingly tasty and beautiful meal. I remember tiny mustard soup in miniature kilner jars, and gorgeous salty crusted fish and something with pickled beetroot...

For me, a favourite restaurant would be one I'd go to again and again, and try different things and know that there would always be a welcoming atmosphere and something I want to eat on the menu. A special one-off extravagant dining experience is something else.

Tried Gordon Ramsey's new Lucky Cat recently - really enjoyed and booked to return shortly - small plates for sharing on oriental theme in a fun environment with friendly staff and great cocktails

Wildings in the costal village of Maidens is fantastic

Love a good Toby Carvery myself

Alyn Williams at the Westbury. OMG.

Le Manoir
Gavroche
Hated fat duck

Waterside Inn - yum.

Sharrow bay

Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants are ok but never really bowled over.

I thought Benares was better than the cinnamon club.

The Kitchen in Edinburgh was great also two fat ladies - the waiters in kilts were totally fab!

So many places to choose from

The restaurant at Longueville Manor hotel in Jersey - the best cheese trolley in the world. And I’m a cheese trolley connoisseur!

www.longuevillemanor.com/the-restaurant

@lowlandlucky

Yes! Wildings is amazing!

Oh and Zuma their black cod and truffle carpaccio rolls are to die for.

Dh has just reminded me

Best meal ever

www.oetkercollection.com/fr/hotels/le-bristol-paris/restaurants-et-bar/

Epicure

If you are ever in Stafford (midlands) the Stafford tap do the best steak in the world
the most lush pub grub is the bird in the hand pub
And the bear is good for burgers

@edwinbear I could not agree more about the cheese trolley at Longueville. Beautiful place to stay with fantastic food and all that cheese

Le Manoir is my favourite ever. I can't wait to go back.

All the pubs / restaurants in Bray are good!

Only doing UK.
One favourite probably isn’t possible as it’s company and occasional dependent. It’s not the smartest restaurants that top my list. I like MAQS but it was just a good restaurant. Tamarind is nice but I prefer Cinnamon Club. La Gavroche is a nice London restaurant; Ashas is my favourite in Birmingham.

The best all rounders for foodies are, in my opinion, on the Isle of Wight which has fantastic local produce and some very talented chefs.
The Royal in Ventnor never disappoints. Pre-dinner drinks on the hill terrace overlooking the bay are just lovely on a summer evening. The service and food are exceptional but not stuffy.
Food is locally sourced, wonderful seafood off the boat that morning. Local tomatoes, garlic, cheeses, meat.
Lobster ravioli is to die for.

Children can be catered for in less formal rooms but if well behaved can eat in the main dining room. Most prefer to swim until the food is being served.

Coming close are the seafood shack in Steephill Cove (which has to be the most romantic restaurant in the country) and North House in Cowes. Little Gloucester is also good but less atmospheric.

The three chimneys restaurant in Skye. Lovely “ rooms over by “ with sitting area and home baking on arrival. Very relaxed restaurant- food is amazing although no Michelin star . Lovely scenery but kin the middle of nowhere . Very special imo .

I love Yama Momo which is a local japanese
begging bowl which is a street thai restaurant
piazzaro fantastic spanish restaurant in bermondsey
went to Brat just before there michelin star was announced and that was great too
Babur is one of the best indians I have ever been too which is in a non trendy part of London....I could go on

i have been to many abroad but cant remember there names and one of the best was in Mougins!

Nando's .

Joking obviously and harking back to another thread!

Mine are - Restaurant Sat Bains, Purnells.