50 B4 50-Social Eating House

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It it not often that you visit a restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star within months of opening. This however is the case at the Social Eating House in Soho, London. They opened on 18th April 2013 and by the time we arrived in December, the star was firmly in place.

 

Situated over 3 floors, we started at the top in The Blind Pig bar. An exciting array of unusual cocktails jumped from the drinks menu and were very much in tune with the ambiance. The decor was mainly dark wood and glass with an antique mirrored ceiling, giving a warm cosy feel, whilst mixing eclectic design and an obvious level of unpretentious class. The staff were friendly and really helpful.

 

My wife and I were with our great friend Viv. We were celebrating her surprise birthday, she was 50 and I was surprised she wasn't older.

 

The girls were soon tucking into gin & tonic's whilst I was charmed by the London lager served in a old style metal tankard.

 

The restaurant is Jason Atherton's second Michelin Star establishment in London, the other being his first restaurant, Pollen Street Social. Jason is one of a very few British chefs to spend time working in the kitchen at the world famous El Bulli in Spain.

 

The Chef Patron is Paul Hood who worked alongside Jason at Maze & Pollen Street Social, and today they continue to develop dishes together, the contemporary and complex dishes on the menu reflect Paul's personal style of cooking and has a clear influence from their time in the kitchen together.

 

As we moved down to ground floor 'No 58' Restaurant dining room the place was already full and buzzing. The decor included exposed brick walls, with a white-washed copper ceilings and a mix of classic wood & leather seating. It immediately felt welcoming and gave a feeling of being a good place to be.

 

The menu was as vibrant and exciting, as it was intriguing. We went for the (surprisingly good value: £23) 3 course set menu, and choosing ultimately proved easy, as the starter of Slow Poached Hens Egg, Coq au Vin, Smoked Bacon and Onion Soup sounded too good to miss, and it was! We had also been fascinated by the 'Jars' offered on the menu in The Blind Pig upstairs, when we asked our waiter if we could also have a 'Jar' of Confit Duck Rillet, Spiced Mango & Chicory (£5.50) he did not flinch, just smiled and added it to our order.

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My wife went for the Crisp Pearl Barley & Portobello Risotto, Savoy Cabbage Pesto & Parmesan, and she was pleased with her selection. In fact, she was really happy with my restaurant choice, which has to be said, is a bit of an unusual result for me!

The entire dining room team were dressed in a smart casual style which created a relaxed atmosphere in itself, their friendly manner just made everything a pleasure.

The comprehensive wine list offered a wide choice and the sommelier gave us a knowledgeable hand.

All of us chose the same main course; Stout Braised Beef Feather Blade, Chestnut Mushrooms, Shallots with Smoked Creamed Potatoes. To this we added a side portion of Duck Fat Chips. The silence as we ate proved we were all fully focused on eating as we as enjoyed yet other fabulous flavoursome course.

When I asked Martin, the maitre' de, if we could see the 'Employees Only' dining space (the private dining section), he did not hesitate to escort us downstairs to show us the eight-seater wrap-around bar, directly looking over the pass in the busy open kitchen.

The desserts were Burnt Butter Treacle Tart, Lemon & Whipped Clotted Cream, and Poached Williams Pear, Mulled Wine Soup, Milk & Honey Ice Cream. We of course had three puddings for two pudding eaters. The two treacle tarts simply had all the flavour and memories of great treacle treats of yesteryear, but managed to somehow taste 'light'. Before we tucked in our waiter appeared with what look like a weird bunch of bananas, this turned out to be a 'Buddha's Hand, a citric fruit that was grated onto our sweets. A nice touch of theatre and new experience.

The pear gave a taste of Christmas in a bowl. My wife even had a bit, and fortunately I managed to stop her singing any carols!

This is certainly a restaurant we look forward to returning to.

Social Eating House
58 Poland Street, London W1F 7NR
020 7993 3251
www.socialeatinghouse.com

 

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50 B4 50-DINING CHALLENGE
Michelin Stars Collected So Far: 26

3 Michelin Star

London | Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

Berkshire-Bray | The Waterside Inn - www.waterside-inn.co.uk

2 Michelin Star

London | Hibiscus - www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

London | Pied a Terre - www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Buckinghamshire-Marlow | Hand & Flowers - www.thehandandflowers.co.uk (*3 Times!)

France | Georges V Hotel, Paris - www.fourseasons.com/paris

1 Michelin Star

London | L’Autre Pied - www.lautrepied.co.uk

London | L’Escargot - www.lescargotrestaurant.co.uk

London | Quilon - www.quilon.co.uk

London | Social Eating House - www.socialeatinghouse.com

London | The Savoy Grill - www.gordonramsay.com/thesavoygrillLondon

London | Veeraswamy - www.veeraswamy.com

Hampshire | Terrace Restaurant (Montague Arms) - www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk

Hampshire | Vetiver (Chewton Glen Hotel) - www.chewtonglen.com/restaurant

*To read the review on any of the above restaurants, put 'restaurant name' in this blog's search box.

 

50 B4 50 Challenged explained: click here

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No Michelin Stars, but restaurants visited since July 2013 that are worth a mention:

 

London | Benares - www.benaresrestaurant.com (Michelin Star, but no wife!)

Atul Kochhar's Indian fine dining with a contemporary British twist. Lamb ‘Livers and Kidney’ Masala Pie fabulous! Service stylish & impeccable.

Surrey | Penny Hill Park - www.pennyhillpark.co.uk (2 Michelin Star-Afternoon Tea only)
Indulgent cakes, all the afternoon cream tea trimmings and fizz. Sense of tradition, occasion and glamour. Tea Guild 'Top City & Country Hotel Tea Awards 2012'.
Milford on Sea | Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant- www.verveine.co.uk

Amazing fish restaurant, creative dishes and flavours. A Michelin Star is surely only a matter of time.

London | Franco's - www.francoslondon.com
Smart Italian restaurant. Truffles abound and lasagne is excellent.

Milford on Sea | La Perle - www.laperlemilford.co.uk
Charming French bistro with classic dishes authenticly served, delightful desserts, good value and friendly service.

Mudeford | The Jetty - www.thejetty.co.uk/
Great restaurant in a spectacular waterside location on Christchurch Harbour. Top quality experience in the extensive menu, ingredients and service.

Yarmouth, IoW | The George - www.thegeorge.co.uk
Fine fresh crevettes & lobster dishes with delightful beachside dining on sunny days.
 

London | Dishoom - www.dishoom.co.uk

Described as a 'Bombay Café in Covent Garden. Completely different Indian dining, unexpected menu serving tasty spicy tapas style dishes.

 

London | J Sheeky Oyster Bar - www.jsheekeyoysterbar.co.uk

Excellent fish & seafood restaurant. Voted 3rd in Zagat ' Best Seafood Restaurants in London' .

click here

 

50 B4 50-The Hand & Flowers

On Tuesday my wife took me for a belated Birthday present, lunch at The Hand & Flowers in Marlow.

 

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This is now our third visit to this wonderful 2 Michelin Star pub, run by the patron chef & owner, and our favourite chef, Tom Kerridge.

 

Tom was of course the headline show at Milford on Sea Food Week 2012. Whilst well known in culinary circles then, he has now become a familiar face on many TV cookery programmes, and he currently has his own series on Monday night BBC TV called ‘Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food’.

 

Anyone who met Tom at Food Week will know that he is one of life’s good guys, with a great sense of humour and wicked Laugh. He is also a big lad just turned 40. A year or so ago he must have been 30 stone plus, and it is clear he has lost around 10 stone. Good on you Tom, but don’t forget, no-one loves a skinny chef!

 

When we arrived, some serious building work was taking place and the plans showed a new bar and dining area being installed. The work did not affect the restaurant, and when we went in it was as packed as ever.  Our waitress told us they were serving 84 people over two sittings on this Tuesday lunchtime!

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The staff were like well-trained bees as they buzzed efficiently around the dining room. Our table was in a nice quiet corner, and we were soon enjoying a drink and studying the mouth-watering menu.

 

It was possible to have a set 3 course lunch for just £19.50. However, my wife was paying, so I was straight to the a la’ carte!

 

Choices made, we were then served with some complimentary Whitebait with homemade mayonnaise, fresh breads, mixed pepper, salt and butter.

 

My wife then noticed that Chris Evans was sitting on the table next to us with some mates. Fortunately he did not recognise me and I didn’t have to find an excuse to not appear on The One Show. (Although I wouldn’t have minded a ride in his fleet of super cars.) I have to say he seemed a nice genuine chap.

 

For starters we went for things we had never tried before, and the adventure was worth it as I enjoyed; Demi “En Croute” of Whole Baby Truffle with Foie Gras and Port, my wife had; Crispy Pig’s Head with Rhubarb, Pancetta and Greek Cress.

For main course my wife had; Corn Fed Baby Chicken with Hops, Ale and Hay, Thyme Roast Celeriac and Summer Truffle, whilst I was delighted to taste (again!) one of Tom's signature dishes; Beer Battered Fish with Triple Cooked Duck Fat Chips, Home Made Tatare Sauce and a Pea Puree, which is the best side dish I can remember.

The Noble Brewery lager was still going down well as the dessert menu arrived. The Hand & Flowers certainly know how to do puddings!  On a previous visit with friends that should remain nameless, but they won't, it was Jon & Stacey. Things got very messy as the wine flowed a bit too much. So much so, that not only did we have Dessert wines, we all also shared all of the eight desserts on the menu.

 

Today was much more refined, and I loved the Pear Soufflé with Caramelised White Chocolate Ice Cream and pear puree.

On the fireplace I noticed Tom’s new book ‘Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food’ was on sale, and in a flash I secretly arranged for a copy to be signed by Tom to my wife. She was thrilled when this was bought to our table, and better still she did not twig I had added it to the bill she was paying!

 

As we sat in glorious satisfaction my wife said; ‘If I ever leave you, I am going to move in with Tom’. As I thought this through I felt a little hollow, mainly because, I had already decided that if my wife ever left me, I was going to move in with Tom!

 

Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food
BBC2 Monday's 8.30pm
Tom's book on Amazon click here

The Hand & Flowers
126 West Street, Marlow SL7 2BP
01628 482277
www.thehandandflowers.co.uk

 

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50 B4 50-DINING CHALLENGE
Michelin Stars Collected So Far: 25

3 Michelin Star

London | Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

Berkshire-Bray | The Waterside Inn - www.waterside-inn.co.uk

2 Michelin Star

London | Hibiscus - www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

London | Pied a Terre - www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Buckinghamshire-Marlow | Hand & Flowers - www.thehandandflowers.co.uk (*3 Times!)

France | Georges V Hotel, Paris - www.fourseasons.com/paris

1 Michelin Star

London | L’Autre Pied - www.lautrepied.co.uk

London | L’Escargot - www.lescargotrestaurant.co.uk

London | The Savoy Grill - www.gordonramsay.com/thesavoygrillLondon

London | Veeraswamy - www.veeraswamy.com

London | Quilon - www.quilon.co.uk
Hampshire | Terrace Restaurant (Montague Arms) - www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk

Hampshire | Vetiver (Chewton Glen Hotel) - www.chewtonglen.com/restaurant

*To read the review on any of the above restaurants, put 'restaurant name' in this blog's search box.

 

50 B4 50 Challenged explained: click here

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No Michelin Stars, but restaurants visited since July 2013 that are worth a mention:

 

Milford on Sea | Verveine Fishmarket Restaurant- www.verveine.co.uk
Amazing fish restaurant, creative dishes and flavours. A Michelin Star is surely only a matter of time.

London | Franco's - www.francoslondon.com
Smart Italian restaurant. Truffles abound and lasagne is excellent.

Milford on Sea | La Perle - www.laperlemilford.co.uk
Charming French bistro with classic dishes authenticly served, delightful desserts, good value and friendly service.

Mudeford | The Jetty - www.thejetty.co.uk/
Great restaurant in a spectacular waterside location on Christchurch Harbour. Top quality experience in the extensive menu, ingredients and service.

Yarmouth, IoW | The George - www.thegeorge.co.uk
Fine fresh crevettes & lobster dishes with delightful beachside dining on sunny days.
 

London | Dishoom - www.dishoom.co.uk

Described as a 'Bombay Café in Covent Garden. Completely different Indian dining, unexpected menu serving tasty spicy tapas style dishes.

 

London | J Sheeky Oyster Bar - www.jsheekeyoysterbar.co.uk

Excellent fish & seafood restaurant. Voted 3rd in Zagat ' Best Seafood Restaurants in London' .

click here
 

50 B4 50-The Waterside Inn

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The months of waiting are over as Matthew's (my son) birthday arrives. 

Being 'The Big 30' deserves something special, and Matt & Kayleigh, along with me and my wife, are off to The Waterside Inn in Bray.

The Waterside Inn was opened by Michel & Albert Roux in 1972 and became the first restaurant outside France to have held three Michelin stars for 25 years. Today the Chef/Patron is Alain Roux, Michel Roux's son. (His cousin, Michel Roux jnr, son of Albert, runs Le Gavroche in London.)

As we entered the delightful 16th century Berkshire village of Bray, we were immediately charmed by the mix of timber framed buildings and Victorian architecture. It soon became clear that Bray is a gastronomic heaven.

With a population of just 8,425, the village is home to Heston Blumenthal's flagship restaurant. The Fat Duck (3 Michelin stars), Two Pub Restaurants; The Hinds Head and The Crown (Both owned by Heston, and the former has a Michelin Star) and The Waterside Inn (3 Michelin Stars). So that is; One Michelin Star per 1200 or so residents! - and two of the four '3 Michelin Star' restaurants in the entire UK!

We turned down a single track lane which led directly to a slipway straight into the River Thames, The Waterside Inn is set next to the river bank on the left. As we approached, we were greeted by a valet in a smart grey suit and peaked cap. In a matter of seconds he had taken our car and we were stepping into the restaurant to a warm welcome.

We were guided to a comfortable snug lounge, presented menus and offered aperitifs. The ladies menus had no prices, just the wonderful selection of inspirational cuisine which was unashamedly French. The deliciously decadent concoctions demonstrated Alain Roux’s passion for food, and as a Master Pâtissier his enthusiasm for desserts, which is unparallelled across the UK.

It seemed that there was no other choice for us other than to try it all!, so we opted for Le Menu Exceptionnel (Taster Menu). (A full list of the 7 course menu is below.)

A tray of delicious canapes arrived, and I was a bit surprised we were not served saucers of milk as we all sat on the sofas looking like Cheshire cats.

We were escorted through to the impressive dining room on a wave of smiles and welcomes. All of The Waterside team we dressed immaculately, in smart uniforms that reflected their role in the dining room. The red flourishes with the black suits were elegant and the sommeliers gold badges indicated their years of dedicated training.

Our table was, as you may imagine, loaded with fine china, sparkling glasses, classic cutlery and crisp white linen. We possibly had the best table in the restaurant, next to the full length glass windows with a fabulous river view.

The homemade breads were served and offered continually. With Matt & I's love of bread and real butter, this was often accepted, and the salt bowl on the table enabled us to add a pinch of naughtiness.

As our courses arrived, each one was a picture on a plate. The colours were only excelled by the great fusion of flavours and textures. A particular highlight was that my wife does not like nuts in food, so her chestnut and champagne velouté made mine into a 8 course meal!

Throughout our courses, all of the dining room staff were one step ahead of everything, they were incredibly (but subtlety) attentive and knew what we wanted before we knew we did.

The duck carved at the table was pure theatre, and we all watched the excellent knife skills attentively.

It was also a great place for people watching. The girls enjoyed working out what had bought people there. They declined my offer to go and ask them, and concluded there were family parties, romantic getaways, business meeting, ladies who lunch and a couple who had pots of money and probably came daily!

As the showery morning weather changed, and the sun came out, the doors next to our table were fully opened and we felt like we were actually sitting on the terrace whilst enjoying the stunning view of the river.

As we sat, full, enchanted and amazed, there was a lonely half a wafer petit four sitting on our tiered stand. I enquired of our waiter 'Whether they did trade-in's?' Slightly confused, he quizzically looked at me; 'What would you like to trade-in sir' he replied in charming French accent. 'How about a wafer for a chocolate truffle'. 'Certainly sir, but as you only have half left, I will replace it with a half of  a truffle'. he grinned.

Seconds later 4 chocolate truffles were on our table, (Along with our remaining half a wafer) and yet another request to ensure we wanted for nothing; 'Any more coffee, or perhaps a licquer sir?'.

As we stepped outside, our car had been driven into the road right outside and we were waved away by a smiling valet. We could not have asked for more.

Exquisite service, non-stuffy attitude, a touch of humour, fabulous location, and sublime food. Things just don't get any better than The Waterside.

Le Menu Exceptionnel (Taster Menu)

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Canapé tray

Lobster salad served on a delicate citrus jelly, raspberry vinaigrette

(Salade de homard servie sur une délicate gelée aux agrumes, vinaigrette à la framboise)

Chestnut and champagne velouté, with partridge and foie gras “diablotins”

(Velouté de châtaignes au champagne et ses diablotins de perdreau au foie gras)

Breaded medallion of monkfish served on simmered coco beans with tomato, chorizo flavoured sauce (Médaillon de lotte pané, servi sur une mitonnée de haricots blancs à la tomate, sauce parfumée au chorizo) 

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Roasted loin of venison in a pastry crust with wild mushrooms, garnished with florets of broccoli, Hermitage wine sauce with blackcurrant vinegar

(Mignon de chevreuil rôti en feuillantine aux saveurs de champignons sauvages, bouquets de brocolis, sauce à l’Hermitage au vinaigre de cassis)

Spit-roasted Challandais duck, butternut squash flavoured gnocchi enhanced with horseradish, red port and beetroot sauce (for 2 people)

(Caneton challandais rôti à la broche, gnocchis de courge "butternut" relevés au raifort, sauce au porto rouge et jus de betterave (pour 2 personnes)

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Iced pineapple parfait surprise, served on a gingerbread struzel sablé

(Parfait à l’ananas en surprise, sur un sablé de struzel au pain d’épices)

Warm golden plum soufflé

(Soufflé chaud aux mirabelles )

Coffee & Petit Fours

(Café et mignardises)

The Waterside Inn
Ferry Road, Bray, Berkshire SL6 2AT
01628 620691
www.waterside-inn.co.uk

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50 B4 50-DINING CHALLENGE

Michelin Stars So Far: 23

3 Michelin Star

London | Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

Berkshire-Bray | The Waterside Inn - www.waterside-inn.co.uk

2 Michelin Star

London | Hibiscus - www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

London | Pied a Terre - www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Buckinghamshire-Marlow | Hand and Flowers
www.thehandandflowers.co.uk (*Twice)

France | Georges V Hotel, Paris - www.fourseasons.com/paris

1 Michelin Star

London | L’Autre Pied - www.lautrepied.co.uk

London | L’Escargot - www.lescargotrestaurant.co.uk

London | The Savoy Grill - www.gordonramsay.com/thesavoygrillLondon

London | Veeraswamy - www.veeraswamy.com

London | Quilon - www.quilon.co.uk
Hampshire | Terrace Restaurant (Montague Arms)
www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk

Hampshire | Vetiver (Chewton Glen Hotel) - www.chewtonglen.com/restaurant

*To read the review on any of the above restaurants, put 'restaurant name' in this blog's search box.

50 B4 50 Challenged explained: click here

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No Michelin Stars, but restaurants visited since July 2013 that are worth a mention:

Yarmouth, IoW | The George - www.thegeorge.co.uk

Nice fresh menu, excellent crevettes & lobster dishes. Delightful beachside dining on sunny summer days.

London | Dishoom - www.dishoom.co.uk

Described as a 'Bombay Café in Convent Garden. Completely different Indian dining, unexpected menu serving tasty spicy tapas style dishes.

London | J Sheeky Oyster Bar - www.jsheekeyoysterbar.co.uk

Excellent fish & seafood restaurant. Voted 3rd in Zagat ' Best Seafood Restaurants in London' after Wiltons & Scott's.

click here

50 B4 50-Hartnett Holder & Co

After months of promising ourselves a visit, we at last made it to the Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant at Lime Wood. This restaurant does not qualify for our 50 B4 50 Challenge, but it feels only a matter of time before it obtains a Michelin Star.

 

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Lime Wood, is a magnificent 5 star boutique country house hotel, just outside of Lyndhurst. The impressive complex started as a classical country house, formerly known as Parkhill, which around five years ago was lovingly renovated and extended with the odd contemporary twist to give a unique & relaxed environment.

 

We have been fortunate to have stayed in the past, and have dined a number of times in what was, The Scullery and The Dining Room Restaurant. When launched, the Director of Cuisine was Alex Aitken, former owner of Michelin starred Le Poussin, and he is now heading up the impressive waterfront restaurant, The Jetty at Mudeford, and Kings Arms in Christchurch.

 

After Alex moved on, Luke took over a Head Chef, quickly building a reputation for creating contemporary fine food with local ingredients at the centre of the dishes. He is also a very nice guy and has been involved with events at Milford on Sea Food Week.

 

Earlier this year the restaurant became Hartnett Holder & Co, when Angela Harnett joined Luke in running the restaurant. 

 

Angela learnt her trade under Gordon Ramsay in his first restaurant ‘Aubergine.’ She then joined another Ramsey protégé Marcus Wareing at Petrus. She won her first Michelin star at ‘Angela Hartnett at the Connaught’ in The Connaught Hotel, London. Today, she is Chef Patron in her own Michelin starred restaurant, Murano, a fine-dining Italian restaurant in Mayfair, London.

 

In 2004 she collected her first Michelin star, and in early 2007, she was awarded an MBE for Services to the Hospitality Industry. A familiar face, Angela appeared with Gordon on Hell’s Kitchen and is regular seen on many TV cookery programmes today.

 

When we entered the grounds there was an immediate impact from the beautiful surroundings and delightful garden sculptures. Entering the building it felt like we were coming for a ‘country weekend’.

 

A number of subtle changes had taken place since our last visit, and made everything feel comfortable, welcoming and oozing quality.

 

The biggest changes had taken place in the Dining Room. A complete refit had taken place, and what had previously been a stylish & formal dining space, we now discovered a relaxed central bar, comfortable red leather furniture and classic wooden tables. The room was unpretentious & gave us an immediate impression of what we imagined a quality shooting lodge may be like.

 

Everything was relaxed and comfortable, and all the tableware reflected the high quality of dining expected. The staff were formally dressed, and everyone friendly and helpful.

 

We hadn’t decided who was driving home, but my wife subtly told me when she ordered a gin & tonic. There were two menus, a two course lunch at £19.50 for two course and the a la carte. We could immediately see from the dishes Luke’s passion for local fresh ingredients and elements of Angela’s Italian heritage added to the best of British food.

 

We mixed it up, for our starters my wife had the enjoyable; Pizzetta, Quail Egg, Taleggio & Spinach. I had the Goats Cheese, Compressed Tomato & Basil. Sounds simple, but the dish was not as expected, and as clever as it was delicious. The explosion of multi-level flavours and unexpected textures made this one of the best starters I had ever tasted.

 

Chatting to our waitress we discovered that Angela Hartnett spent around two day a week in the restaurant, this was great to hear, bearing in mind how incredibly busy she must be.

 

For our main courses, my wife had a fresh pasta dish Agnolotti, Pappa al Pomodoro & Basil, and I enjoyed the Milanese Risotto, a rich tasty dish infused with saffron and three year old Parmesan cheese. Friends had told us that portions were not as big as they might have liked, if that was the case previously, it certainly is not the case today, as each portion was significant and more than ample.

 

Full and satisfied, my wife passed on sweet as usual, and as usual I didn’t. I went for the Amalfi Lemon Tart with nectarines, amaretto & almonds. At first glance it looked a lonely, albeit generous, slice of tart on a plate. Proving that first impressions are not always right, when I tucked in, the masterfully made pastry was perfect, and the tart filling wonderful. It was impossible not to pull a contorted face (& accusations of being an embarrassment), as the zingy lemon hit my taste buds, this was then followed by several layers of other delicate flavours. The plate certainly did not need any form of sweet cream or custard accompaniment.

 

There is no doubt we had enjoyed our visit, and will be back!

 

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50 B4 50-DINING CHALLENGE

Michelin Stars So Far: 21

3 Michelin Star

London | Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

2 Michelin Star

London | Hibiscus - www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk

London | Pied a Terre - www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Buckinghamshire-Marlow | Hand & Flowers - www.thehandandflowers.co.uk (Twice)

France | Georges V Hotel, Paris - www.fourseasons.com/paris

1 Michelin Star

London | L’Autre Pied - www.lautrepied.co.uk

London | L’Escargot - www.lescargotrestaurant.co.uk

London | The Savoy Grill - www.gordonramsay.com/thesavoygrillLondon

London | Veeraswamy - www.veeraswamy.com

London | Quilon - www.quilon.co.uk
Hampshire | Terrace Restaurant (Montague Arms) - www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk

Hampshire | Vetiver (Chewton Glen Hotel) - www.chewtonglen.com/restaurant

*To read the review on any of the above restaurants, put 'restaurant name' in this blog's search box.

 

50 B4 50 Challenged explained: click here

------------------------------------------------------------------

No Michelin Stars, but restaurants visited since July 2013 that are worth a mention:

 

Yarmouth, IoW | The George - www.thegeorge.co.uk

Nice fresh menu, excellent crevettes & lobster dishes. Delightful beachside dining on sunny summer days.

 

London | Dishoom - www.dishoom.co.uk

Described as a 'Bombay Café in Convent Garden. Completely different Indian dining, unexpected menu serving tasty spicy tapas style dishes.

 

London | J Sheeky Oyster Bar - www.jsheekeyoysterbar.co.uk

Excellent fish & seafood restaurant. Voted 3rd in Zagat ' Best Seafood Restaurants in London' after Wiltons & Scott's.

click here

 

50 B4 50-A New Dining Quest!

Having finished our 40 B4 40 Dining Challenge we were in need of a new challenge to keep us amused. We considered a number of options, but fortunately my wife's ideas of basing it on exercise, shopping, or going to the South Pole fell on deaf ears.

I suppose to decide we needed to know our main criteria. We soon agreed that it needed to be enjoyable, amusing, and not to involve sweating. Eating of course fit this criteria very well, unless of course you are eating a fierce curry.

Ultimately I guess, the whole point of our challenge is that it needs to be pointless. Collecting points, seems pointless, ...so that is what we are going to do.

50 B4 50-Dining Challenge: Our new challenge is to collect 50 points before my wife is 50. In this instance one Michelin Star will equal one point. So, we need to dine in various Michelin Star restaurants that have a collective total of 50 Michelin Stars.

Michelin Inspectors anonymously visit restaurants throughout the year using an inspection process that has been refined since 1926. The inspectors concentrate on the quality, flavours, mastery of technique, personality and consistency of the food. Earning One, Two of Three Michelin Stars is seen as one of the highest honours in the restaurant industry. In 2013 only 3 restaurants held three Michelin Star across the UK.

This may all sound pretentious, stuffy and expensive, but in reality it makes dining an experience and event, as much as you would get at the theatre or a concert.

Top Tip: A Saturday evening on the a la carte menu will certainly be felt in the pocket, but we have a 'Top Tip' to share; most, if not all, of these restaurant will do special lunch menus, or in London, pre-theatre menus, which are extensive and great value. Each restaurant has a reputation to protect, and the kitchen team preparing the food is the same, the only difference is you pay a fraction of what you may pay at other times.With my wife now being 40, we have ten years to collect 50 points (Stars) before her 50th birthday.To make things a bit easier, we have decided to include the Michelin Star restaurants that we have already dined in. This may appear cheating, but the good thing about setting the rules for a pointless points challenge, is that we can do what we like!

So, here we go, it is August 2013, we have 18 Michelin Star so far, the knife & forks are ready, and the race is on!