Posh Food

Good to hear!

I had wanted to book the hotel but it's fully booked constantly.

If they still do it the Essex Lamb Bun is reccomended.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPkauuNBEok/UBwu50XFdiI/AAAAAAAAKVM/cqNTYbKfaac/s1600/The%2BHand%2Band%2BFlowers,%2BMarlow%2Bk1.JPG

Tempted by the 2 day package for the Doris' birthday in June but lack of car would make it a bit tricky...

that's exactly what we've done, might head onwards and upward to Scotland after that

The hand in flowers only has a very small amount of rooms... plenty of places nearby though

I've just got in from Rules.
Epic Steak and Kidney pudding, massive plate of stilton, a bottle of red each.
At the moment, I never want to eat again.

Went to the Shiori, we had a kaiseki (tasting) menu, with the sake pairings. It was excellent - first time I've had high-end Japanese food. Some completely new and interesting flavours... I will go back.
Highlights included surf clam and cuttle fish with su-miso, the prawn sashimi, and green peaches in a sake jelly.

Just booked Osteria Francescana in July for the GF's birthday

Went out to lunch at Zuma last week, very nice prices were high but he service was good although i belive you could get better sushi at other places, but the other dishes were good.

Going to http://www.restaurantsatbains.com on Thursday.
A little excited, if I'm honest.

Ohh Sat Bains is near us, on the 'to do' list, anticipate your report keenly!

Wherabouts are you based?
Will let you know, its after a commuting day so totally going to go to town with the 10 course...

Live in Grantham, Sat Bains is in Notts right?
10 courses, doin it rite :-)

So I'm off to Chiltern Firehouse in a few weeks. Has anyone been?

"It's hard to see exactly what distinguishes Chiltern Firehouse from any other upmarket restaurant in London, other than the raging fury of its own myth. But, then again - maybe that's all it takes." Polly Vernon, The Times.

say no more...

Going to http://www.restaurantsatbains.com on Thursday.
A little excited, if I'm honest.

Sat's a nice guy, just don't tell him he looks like Dion Dublin...

"It's hard to see exactly what distinguishes Chiltern Firehouse from any other upmarket restaurant in London, other than the raging fury of its own myth. But, then again - maybe that's all it takes." Polly Vernon, The Times.

say no more...

Yep, have to say the celeb aspect is a bit much but having been to Viajante (which I thought was excellent) I'm hoping the food is just as good.

Went to L'Enclume couple weekends back... pure amazing. Kind of a noma vibe to the whole thing. Cartmel is a lovely little place and was really envious of loads of cyclists about

His other restaurant Rogan and Co is also really good, much better than I was expecting and at £40 for 3 courses an absolute steal

Well jell, I take it it's totally worth it...

yeah pure amazing.. did the 2 night stay special http://www.lenclume.co.uk/sr/offers.php

Breakfast is rather nice too

600 notes? it better be good.

/files

that's 2 nights in a hotel 2 evening meals for 2 people...

Booze not included.. wine flight is £60 at l'enclume. We took 4 1/2 hours for dinner

since you break it down thusly i guess that's pretty reasonable. and i am in the market for a 'sorry for being such a cunt for the past 6 years, i'm really glad you've not left me / shopped me to the police' weekend away for mrs hell and myself... or a person of her choosing.

for mrs hell and myself..

That made me laught.

So Sat Bains.
Pretty incredible stuff. Full of interesting techniques, which the waiters were all keen to talk through- which was excellent, the only thing that I think missed a beat was the duck egg and texture of peas, which was too sweet.
Stand out course- difficult to say between the minestrone/ gazpacho consommé with squid, the incredible beef 'main' (with yuzu and its own prelude of tartare), and the chocolate, aerated with cardamon and incredibly potent mandarin reduction. But it may well have been the petit fours at the end- cumin, lemongrass and lime, cardamom, hibiscus and fennel sheets of chocolates (dark, white and milk), perfectly tempered and melt in the mouth unctuous.
The winner was not a course as such but an interlude of miso* fudge with passionfruit and tomato seeds, which was so good I can't even begin to explain.
Really, really incredible, clever and local.
I honestly can't think of a better meal I've had.

*housemade, from barley.

Cheers brows. On the list.