No Expert …but I know what I like – Food Blog, Restaurant reviews
Reviews, Guides & Maps
Really liked the Red Cat, it’s very cool, very New York.
On the plus side or maybe the negative side, the last time we were there was during the Republican Party Conference, so we had the Secret Service outside and someone from the Bush clan inside. Much to the horror of the dinners at the next table who were obviously Democrats.
Marks out of 10
Food 6
Service 6
Ambience 6.5
The Fat Duck in Bray is the complete opposite of its near neighbour the Waterside Inn, The Waterside goes for old fashioned comfort (old money clientele), the Fat Duck does “flash” (new money clientele).
The room is minimalist in style and the food is excellent with very over the top presentation.
We visited before the recent alleged food poisoning problems, and experienced all the trade mark gimmicks – Dry Ice, Dragons Breath, IPods and the obligatory Snails Porridge. We also went for a matching flight of wines. There are two price options here, expensive and extortionate. We restrained ourselves and kept the wine bill under £100 per person.
It was an experience, but I have to admit I missed the warmth of the Waterside Inn as once the meal is finished, there is no way you would want to hang around or indeed be encouraged to hang around in the rather cold room. Then again I guess that is why Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head is only a few yards away.
The Fat Duck is currently number 2 on the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list.
For a while Hibiscus seemed to be the most talked about place. Everyone just raved about it. We even had it recommended while in L’Astrance in Paris.
The conclusion from our visit on a Saturday evening when they only do tasting menus (a rather mercenary approach in my view), was that it was over hyped, overpriced rather boring food.
When the best dish in a £175 a head meal (food with matching wines) is the cheese course, then there is something wrong.
This restaurant is currently number 56 on the S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants list. It has 2 Michelin stars and 4 AA Rosettes, so it should have been superb or a least very good, as at this level there really should be no off days.
Very disappointing
Marks out of 10
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 7
Dockmasters House looks very out of place now in the Docklands, surrounded by warehouse style buildings and opposite a multiplex cinema. It is such a stunning building, both inside and out. The modern Indian food is top notch, they do a pre theatre menu that is ideal if you want to splash out on something a bit special before hitting West India Quay Cineworld, which is now my cinema of choice for several reasons:-
1 – it’s a modern cinema complex with a good sound system
2 – it’s cheaper than central London
3 – central London cinemas do not have Dockmasters House next door.
Marks out of 10 for Dockmasters House
Food 6.5
Service 6.5
Ambience 7