So the countdown to going/coming home commences...One of the things we had always wanted to do but hadn't got around to (although we had tried to make reservations before) was to eat at
The Fat Duck. It's a three-star Michelin restaurant (one of only four in the UK in 2012) which should be reason enough, but it was more about the innovative and experimental nature of Heston Blumenthal's creations that really appealed (read more about it
here). So once we knew we were leaving, Nick put us on the waiting list for every possible day until then and after only a week or so, we got a call saying they had a table available the next day for lunch. Fortunately we were free (and the boys were in nursery) so the next day we headed off to Bray, about 45 minutes drive just outside London.
The restaurant is in a converted, traditional, low-ceilinged English cottage, right on the high street of Bray and inside it's small and cosy - which is somewhat incongruous when compared to the food served. We were seated and after talking to me about adapting a few of the items on the menu (due to being pregnant), they started with an appetiser and then it was into the 14 course tasting menu (the only thing you can have). I photographed some of the dishes which you can see below (the others I just forgot to photograph - a food blogger I am not) and generally they were pretty amazing. Not necessarily something that you would order every day, but each dish was truly an experience of flavours and textures.
Another brilliant thing about The Fat Duck is that while it's up there as one of the best restaurants in the world, it is totally unpretentious (even down to no dress code). The staff were incredibly professional, attentive and clearly very skilled at what they do - but they were never patronising, even when they described every dish in detail which they obviously do for every course and every table they serve.
All up, we loved it. The only possible improvement would have been not being pregnant and being able to drink the recommended wines with every course...maybe next time!
 |
| Third Course: Jelly of Quail, Crayfish Cream, Chicken Liver Parfait, Oak Moss and Truffle Toast (adapted slightly for me and note the dry ice steam coming from the Oak Moss which was placed in the center of the table) |
 |
| Fourth Course: Snail Porridge, Iberico Bellota Ham, Shaved Fennel |
 |
| Sixth Course: Mad Hatters Tea Party - Mock Turtle Soup |
 |
| Sixth Course: Mad Hatters Tea Party - Toast Sandwich |
 |
| Seventh Course: Sound of the Sea |
 |
| Nick eating Sound of the Sea, listening to the iPod that comes with the dish which plays, literally, sounds of the sea |
 |
| Eleventh Course: Galette of Rhubarb, Neoli Scented Yoghurt and Rhubarb Sorbet. The sorbet was AMAZING. Possibly our favourite thing of all. |
 |
| Twelfth Course: (Specially made for me as I couldn't have the menu option) Bacon and Egg Ice Cream |
 |
| (and before) Preparing the Bacon and Egg Ice Cream at the table |
 |
Fourteenth Course: 'Like a kid in a sweet shop' - one of four parts - The Queen of Hearts (I think wafter-thin jam tart covered in white chocolate)
|
