Food Snob

Sorry, I was being lazy. Here we go... ADDITIONS: England Brighton & Hove - The Meadow Bristol Greens' - Dining Room Cheltenham - Royal Well Tavern Droxford - The Bakers Arms Henfield - The Ginger Fox Kingham - The Kingham Plough Stockbridge / Longstock - The Peat Spade Inn Stow-on-the-Wold - The Cafe at Daylesford Organic West Tanfield - The Bruce Arms Yarpole - The Bell Inn London Camden - Bradley's Camden - Giaconda Dining Room Camden - Market Croydon - Le Cassoulet Islington - Medcalf Islington - The Modern Pantry Chelsea - Foxtrot Oscar Richmond-upon-Thames - Mango and Silk Bayswater & Maida Vale - Hereford Road Soho - Dehesa SCOTLAND Edinburgh - The Dogs DELETIONS: England Brighton - The Real Eating Company Castle Cary/South Cadbury - The Camelot Chipping Campden/Paxford - Churchill Arms Jersey/Green Island - Green Island Kenilworth - Simply Simpsons Leeds - Brasserie 44 Manchester - Palmiro Manchester/Didsbury - Café Jem&I Preston - Inside Out Royal Tunbridge Wells/Speldhurst - George and Dragon Saxmundham - The Bell Sowerby Bridge - The Millbank Witney/Leafield - The Navy Oak Scotland Strathyre - Creagan House London Hammersmith - Agni St James’s - Brasserie Roux Battersea - Butcher and Grill Bayswater and Maida Vale - Trenta

Bib Gourmand list

Maybe they read my post and changed their ways

précisément.

I went to Dansfield house a few months back. Nice big old country manor, although the building sure was draughty in the November chill. This wasn't helped by the fact that pretty much all courses came with a sorbet or ice cream. Some of which were fun (Lager & Lime sorbet as an amuse bouche), others were pointless (Scallops with a Cauliflower ice cream?). The non-frozen food was good, but I wouldn't say Michelin starred. They also have that annoying practice of showing you a huge selection of chocolates for petit fours, and then ask you to select some, not giving any indication as to how many one should take without appearing like a glutton. Does anyone know what the magic number is?!? Lee ← At Marcus Waring, I believe they had about 5/6 flavours of truffle. I asked for a couple of each. But was 'limited' to one of each. Ruined my whole meal. At Ducasse, they let me have as much of whatever I wanted.

Thanks for the comment, Calum. I would agree that a star could be revoked, but extremely doubt it will (which seems to be the common feeling).

So, finally I made it to a Gordon Ramsay Restaurant. And I chose to start with the big one. I ordered the menu prestige and this is what I thought: Dinner at RHR

Cheers, Tony. That's very nice of you to say. Actually, I already have a couple of regular commenters on the site who have been pressuring me for some time to go too. In time...

Nice to see some action on this post. Glad people are still interested in a little gossip Interesting about Hibiscus - these are the first two unfavourable reviews I have heard myself. Complete agreement that Wareing stays on two. Based on my pretty excellent meal there, not too far back, would agree with Sketch's bump.

Here is another perspective on the St. John meal. I was less blown away by the cooking, but enjoyed the bone marrow (always order this, always like it), the ox tongue, smoked eel and gingerloaf. I agree the hare was nothing special. You can read about My Dinner at St. John here.

I'll have to add my voice to the choir of those commending the Sportsman. I have had my eye on this place for months and months, but finally, last weekend I was able to take a trip with a few fellow foodies down there. My review: Lunch at the Sportsman It certainly lived up to expectations and turned out to be one of my best meals all year. All the dishes were good and service was friendly and generous. The ingredients are shockingly fresh - turbot and crabs caught on the day, for example. The chef, Stephen Harris, must be applauded for what he is doing down there. A return has already been penciled in.

Well, I'm certainly not against London having a restaurant that serves 3* food... Red book? I have outlined some of these elsewhere if I remember rightly, but from my recent meals: 1*: Alain Ducasse @ the Dorchester; l'Ambassade de l'Ile (would not be shocked if this got two); l'Autre Pied 2*: Hibiscus outsider: l'Anima - not much to tell it apart from Zafferano, based on my experiences From what I have heard from others....Hélène Darroze, maybe.

Hi Gareth, I can empathise. I reckon that one of the main reasons I was so disappointed by MW was my expectations before the meal. That, I guess, is partly my fault, but it was also built on what many, many, many people were saying around summertime and before, not to mention, Wareing's own obvious ambitions...

I first tried ADAD last December and was disappointed. Lately, however, I have had a few people tell me it is much better now and actually quite something. I had to agree that it has improved a lot. The starters were alright, mains better and desserts excellent. Also, the white chocolate ganache macarons were the best I have had in London. My dinner at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester Service was efficient, hospitable and rather good. The restaurant is pricey, but generous too - two amuses, chocolates, bonbons, etc It's not fireworks, but worth a star.

Indeed...my favourite too.

What were the petit fours? Were they different from the one I was served? (My lunch at the Greenhouse) I had two dishes from the lunch menu together with ALC and thought one was in keeping with ALC standard (the first starter), but the Lievre seemed a little simpler than the average dish, IMO.

Yauatcha? Or Fortnum & Mason.

btw i just took a look at your blog - it's pretty good! i'm adding it to my blogroll ← Thanks. Apprecaite the 'link love'

Well, for me, the portion sizes were not really big, the problem was that the smaller dishes were too complicated maybe. The combinations and constructions may have worked on a larger plate, but didn't always with the tasting portions.

Cheers Gingerbeer. I am surprised someone felt like I did! Did you have the tasting? Because from what I have heard, maybe ALC is better.

You're welcome. Definitely true...both have excellent offers. I believe the Foliage offer is for four courses at £29. I check the Sketch one regularly and the dishes are always interesting and exciting. It is served within one hour - 'Gourmet Rapide'. lol..you get your money's worth; they are certainly not stingy!

Don't! And I bet I can get there, eat (lunch and dinner), come back...and it'll still be cheaper than some of the dinner's in London....

Hibiscus I am a big fan of. LCS is one out-of-towner I would love to try, just like Nathan Outlaw actually, but time/transport currently make these unfeasible. My friend is definitely going RHR. He wants to decide whether it is worth ALSO going MW. If not, I believe he will either go elsewhere. Personally, I wouldn't return to MW until they change their menus anyway...

Dinner here last Thursday. Everything you have probably heard about Sketch is....true. The decor is something else (I like it); the food is delicious; and it is the most expensive meal I have had in London. It is difficult to pick a favourite dish, everything was very tasty. The cooking was expert, the flavours were bold and bright and ingredients, top draw. Service was also impeccable. My Dinner at Sketch Special surprise on the night too.

Good point there, food1. And thanks for the input!