to ask what your best dining experience was? (UK)

[polkadotty2]

We have a milestone anniversary coming up and I would like ideas for something a bit more special than "lunch/dinner at a nice restaurant" but I'm not even sure what.. hit me up with your ideas/experinces!

We did Teppanyaki years ago which was interesting but looking for something different this time.

Oh, and the Rusty Pig in Ottery St Mary, absolutely amazing. We wandered in by chance one lunch en route to Cornwall. The chef asked us what we liked and then basically threw together a 3 course meal, making one spicier, one with no meat, whatever he thought would work. It was so personal and utterly delicious.

Somewhere we like very much that won't cost £350 is Angela Hartnett's Murano.

Has anyone been to the Box Tree in Ilkley lately? We used to love it many many years ago when we lived in the area but it seems to have had a very rocky ride over the years.

Please don't go to Bob Bob anything, dreadful when I went there. I just want to say, again, the Woodspeen in Newbury. Thank you

Slightly left of field but one that is lodged in my memory, and I'm absolutely determined to return to, is in Slovenia - situated right on the Austrian border Vino Gaube. We were staying at Weinidylle Dreisiebner just up the famous 'heart' road from Vino Guabe

@mouche202
I've done this but I only charged £50 a head. I need to put my prices up

.......apologies......mine wasn't a UK recommendation.....

@gogohm he's based in London and only does high end food (he's Michelin trained). He's actually quite cheap compared to other similar chefs in the area so yes, you should definitely put your prices up if you're doing that kind of thing!

I love the Riverford Field Kitchen, and you can stay off grid within walking distance too.
www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/39659116/

L’Enclume. Everything about it was just perfection. Obviously the food was incredible- there was a frozen goat’s cheese dessert that I still think about- but everything else as well. You just knew that every single detail- the decor, the cutlery, the flowers- had been chosen by someone who really cared about getting it exactly right. Everything was so simple and minimalist, but made from the best materials. It just made me happy that they had given so much thought to every aspect of it. And on top of that, the service was absolutely perfectly judged- warm and friendly, but making sure there was a sense of occasion. Just wonderful.

l’Enclume 100%

As it may be too far north, Restaurant Sat Bains or Riverside.

I shed tears at L’Enclume it was so good.

They’ve just been awarded their 3rd Michelin star too. Not many of those in the UK.

Argh, The Waterside I mean.

Fine dining is a hobby. Just booked 4 days in San Sebastián. Soooo excited.

@HelloTreacle9

Another vote for any of Adam Handling's places - we went to Frog in London for a landmark anniversary long lunch, tasting menu with wine flight, and it was the most memorable and mindblowingly good meal ever. The service and cocktails/sommelier are impeccable and it's a small room so you can see straight into the kitchen, and not at all formal. Just got its first Michelin star.

Third vote for Adam. The Frog in Covent Garden is superb.

You could look at his new place Yhe Loch and Tyne near Windsor. Excellent food but not as pricy as The Frog.

@Boood

L’Enclume. Everything about it was just perfection. Obviously the food was incredible- there was a frozen goat’s cheese dessert that I still think about- but everything else as well. You just knew that every single detail- the decor, the cutlery, the flowers- had been chosen by someone who really cared about getting it exactly right. Everything was so simple and minimalist, but made from the best materials. It just made me happy that they had given so much thought to every aspect of it. And on top of that, the service was absolutely perfectly judged- warm and friendly, but making sure there was a sense of occasion. Just wonderful.

Sigh .. sounds fabulous. I really must get on and book it.

Le Manoir is like this for me too - not stuffy at all, but everything just perfect. It's also why the Waterside didn't do it for me, too dark and as many people as possible shoved in. Great food, but the ambience totally off for me.

I also completely agree with recommendations for the Woodspeen (and to some extent the Hand & Flowers), but neither of them have that sense of occasion for me, they're just lovely places for lunch.

You could look at his new place Yhe Loch and Tyne near Windsor. Excellent food but not as pricy as The Frog.

This looks fabulous, @KatherineJaneway, will definitely try this soon!

Best meal ever was at Le Manoir.
Raymond Blanc even came over to wish me Happy Birthday :)

We took our chef/food mad 10yr old for lunch. I called them beforehand to tell them about him. Raymond Blanc met us and showed us to our table, they made him a special birthday cake, gave him a signed book and a tour of the kitchens and kitchen garden. It was brilliant and the food was fab too.

I love Le Gavroche, incredibly chilled evening with amazing food.
Menu Gordon Jones in Bath was also excellent for lunch.

But for reasonably priced, amazing food in relaxed surroundings I would go for The Scallop Shell in Bath. Essentially a fish and chip shop with tables but delicious, fresh, amazing shellfish and seafood in a really lovely space.

@WingBingo

l’Enclume 100%

As it may be too far north, Restaurant Sat Bains or Riverside.

I shed tears at L’Enclume it was so good.

They’ve just been awarded their 3rd Michelin star too. Not many of those in the UK.

It's not 'too far North' if that's where you live! Many of the others are too far South in reality.

Sky Gardens - you can look at their menus online to get an idea of cost.

L'enclume is 45 minutes away from me :)

Most amazing dining experience was The Fat Duck.
If you want to stay local to the Bristol area, Casamia is outstanding.
Much cheaper is Sonny Stores - exquisite food and basically served in a terraced house in South Bristol.
The lido is lovely - could book in for a swim and dine to make it a bit more special.

@JudgeJ OP said the south / wales/Bristol area.

I drive up from Devon, it was worth the drive.