Comments on: The Fat Duck http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:01:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: howard http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-205929 howard Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:52:59 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-205929 For the price, you would think that this restaurant could manage the least little bit of graciousness. We had made a reservation for two several months in advance. The day before we were to dine our host in Lausanne, Switzerland, asked if he could join us. I called the Fat Duck to inquire and was told that although they were fully booked it would be worth the risk for our third to come all the way from Lausanne. When we arrived we were told that they would not in any way accommodate our third. Given the restaurant's policy of requiring full payment on a reservation, our third headed over to the inn also owned by the same management thinking that the restaurant would manage to find a way to accommodate us. To say that the restaurant made no effort whatsoever to accommodate us would actually overstate their hospitality. Although the food was tolerably good I thought the whizz-bang presentation sophomoric at best. Mr. Science needs some schooling in good manners. For the price, you would think that this restaurant could manage the least little bit of graciousness.

We had made a reservation for two several months in advance. The day before we were to dine our host in Lausanne, Switzerland, asked if he could join us. I called the Fat Duck to inquire and was told that although they were fully booked it would be worth the risk for our third to come all the way from Lausanne.

When we arrived we were told that they would not in any way accommodate our third. Given the restaurant’s policy of requiring full payment on a reservation, our third headed over to the inn also owned by the same management thinking that the restaurant would manage to find a way to accommodate us.

To say that the restaurant made no effort whatsoever to accommodate us would actually overstate their hospitality.

Although the food was tolerably good I thought the whizz-bang presentation sophomoric at best. Mr. Science needs some schooling in good manners.

]]> By: Andy http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-187611 Andy Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:05:00 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-187611 The Fat Duck IS an expensive meal but having eaten there, it is like no other culinary experience I have ever had. I would gladly pay £230 once to experience it than have 10 rubbish £23 meals. Sure most restaurants are a fraction of this price but the Fat Duck has passion and excitement that simply isn't found from a £10 microwaved meal served by a £6 / hour bored teenager in a chain pub. Comparisons between price is just missing the point. It's like saying why would you WANT to drive a ferrari when you can buy a lada...sometimes life has just got to be enjoyed once. I know Joe said that he would 'expect more than a few tiny morsels splattered about on a plate, I’d expect a meal that was so big it came in a skip.', but the amount of courses in the taster menu simply wouldn't allow big plates. I came out of the meal full, satisfied, amazed and albeit a little lighter financially. This place is for people that think meals aren't just about having chips with something! Just for the comparisons on price i'm sure that you can get into many 'cheeky girl' gigs for the price of a david bowie ticket... The Fat Duck IS an expensive meal but having eaten there, it is like no other culinary experience I have ever had. I would gladly pay £230 once to experience it than have 10 rubbish £23 meals. Sure most restaurants are a fraction of this price but the Fat Duck has passion and excitement that simply isn’t found from a £10 microwaved meal served by a £6 / hour bored teenager in a chain pub.
Comparisons between price is just missing the point. It’s like saying why would you WANT to drive a ferrari when you can buy a lada…sometimes life has just got to be enjoyed once.

I know Joe said that he would ‘expect more than a few tiny morsels splattered about on a plate, I’d expect a meal that was so big it came in a skip.’, but the amount of courses in the taster menu simply wouldn’t allow big plates. I came out of the meal full, satisfied, amazed and albeit a little lighter financially. This place is for people that think meals aren’t just about having chips with something!
Just for the comparisons on price i’m sure that you can get into many ‘cheeky girl’ gigs for the price of a david bowie ticket…

]]> By: Donald Kennedy http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-140942 Donald Kennedy Fri, 17 Nov 2006 17:56:17 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-140942 I liked your review of the Duck, but mine is even longer (anticook.blogspot.com) I liked your review of the Duck, but mine is even longer (anticook.blogspot.com)

]]> By: Ian's friend http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-97696 Ian's friend Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:16:05 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-97696 My friend Ian ate the Fat Duck just before Christmas. Ian is an ex-chef, wine consultant, and food science engineer. He is now semi-retired running a bed and breakfast in the south of France. I enjoyed your Blog and especially the pictures. For those interested here is a long and detailed review of how the dishes were constructed, and how the marrying of flavours worked. He also rates the serving staff very highly. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbfood/F2670471?thread=1708704 And Joe, if you really want all those terms explained, I can do it for you. I am a chef too :>) My friend Ian ate the Fat Duck just before Christmas. Ian is an ex-chef, wine consultant, and food science engineer. He is now semi-retired running a bed and breakfast in the south of France. I enjoyed your Blog and especially the pictures. For those interested here is a long and detailed review of how the dishes were constructed, and how the marrying of flavours worked. He also rates the serving staff very highly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbfood/F2670471?thread=1708704

And Joe, if you really want all those terms explained, I can do it for you. I am a chef too :>)

]]> By: Matt http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-85969 Matt Sun, 28 May 2006 12:12:00 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-85969 Well, we went and it was, as expected, amazing. You cannot put a price on good food, and this was exceptional; from the moment we sat down and experienced the waiter preparing nitro-mousse, actually in liquid nitrogen at the table, to the after dinner cereal box and the hot and cold tea (which has to be experienced to be believed!), the 4 hour dining feast was exceptional and probably difficult to rival the world over. I have to agree with Bellaphon, the only slight disappointment was the Liquorice Salmon, which was still excellent, but not as ‘mind blowing’ as the other courses’. The Fat Duck is definitely worthy of the 3 Michelin stars, the attention to detail for the whole evening was second to none, even down to the paper used for the menu! I cannot recommend this highly enough. (P.S: Joe, Unfortunately for you there were no kebabs and chips on the menu so you’d better sit this one out…!) Well, we went and it was, as expected, amazing. You cannot put a price on good food, and this was exceptional; from the moment we sat down and experienced the waiter preparing nitro-mousse, actually in liquid nitrogen at the table, to the after dinner cereal box and the hot and cold tea (which has to be experienced to be believed!), the 4 hour dining feast was exceptional and probably difficult to rival the world over. I have to agree with Bellaphon, the only slight disappointment was the Liquorice Salmon, which was still excellent, but not as ‘mind blowing’ as the other courses’. The Fat Duck is definitely worthy of the 3 Michelin stars, the attention to detail for the whole evening was second to none, even down to the paper used for the menu! I cannot recommend this highly enough. (P.S: Joe, Unfortunately for you there were no kebabs and chips on the menu so you’d better sit this one out…!)

]]> By: bellaphon http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-83998 bellaphon Fri, 19 May 2006 10:05:41 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-83998 The usual cliche applies, life is too short, one's gotta experience a 3 star establishment no matter how limited one's budget is. Went for lunch yesterday, despite the a la carte menu appearing more tempting, like everyone else going for the first time the tasting menu is the raison d'etre. After 4 hours, I was left not bloated nor hungry, in fact because of all the lingering after tastes I didn't have any appetite for dinner. The star dishes were: Jelly Of Quail, Langoustine Cream, Parfait Of Foie Gras; Roast Foie Gras, Almond Fluid Gel, Cherry And Chamomile and as Michael Winner would put it, the Poached Breast Of Anjou Pigeon Pancetta, Pastilla Of Its Leg, Pistachio, Cocoa And Quatre Épices was 'triple historic'. Totally disappointing was the remarkably bland Salmon Poached With Liquorice, Asparagus, Pink Grapefruit, “Manni” Olive Oil. The much reported Snail Porridge, Jabugo Ham, Shaved Fennel didn't exactly raise any goose pimples and the Douglas Fir Puree reminded me of a lavatory cleaner. Service was exemplary and friendly, except for the rather incomprehensible description of the dishes from the stunning female waiting staff. Ambience was relaxed and not at all icy like most other 3 star joints. All in all, it's worth it, shall be going back for the a la carte. The usual cliche applies, life is too short, one’s gotta experience a 3 star establishment no matter how limited one’s budget is. Went for lunch yesterday, despite the a la carte menu appearing more tempting, like everyone else going for the first time the tasting menu is the raison d’etre.

After 4 hours, I was left not bloated nor hungry, in fact because of all the lingering after tastes I didn’t have any appetite for dinner. The star dishes were: Jelly Of Quail, Langoustine Cream, Parfait Of Foie Gras; Roast Foie Gras, Almond Fluid Gel, Cherry And Chamomile and as Michael Winner would put it, the Poached Breast Of Anjou Pigeon Pancetta, Pastilla Of Its Leg, Pistachio, Cocoa And Quatre Épices was ‘triple historic’. Totally disappointing was the remarkably bland Salmon Poached With Liquorice, Asparagus, Pink Grapefruit, “Manni” Olive Oil. The much reported Snail Porridge, Jabugo Ham, Shaved Fennel didn’t exactly raise any goose pimples and the Douglas Fir Puree reminded me of a lavatory cleaner.

Service was exemplary and friendly, except for the rather incomprehensible description of the dishes from the stunning female waiting staff. Ambience was relaxed and not at all icy like most other 3 star joints.

All in all, it’s worth it, shall be going back for the a la carte.

]]> By: Student of the Culinary Arts http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-77721 Student of the Culinary Arts Thu, 30 Mar 2006 02:16:09 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-77721 Food is meant for survival. What has been presented in the menu and the plating of the restaurant is fine dining. As for opinions they are just that. Personally, myself being a culinary student, I would love to try dining at The Fat Duck. It is an extremely unique menu which is exciting. As for the service charge, It is acceptable if the service is quick, not as if to rush you out, but as to meet your current needs, not to mention explanations on wine parings and so on. I am being taught not only to cook, but to accept cooking of all shapes and forms. Open mindedness is the way to go. So cheers to those who do enjoy pricey meals not just for the cost of dining, but the atmosphere, service, tastes, and experience deserve a pat on the back. As for the chef to be, good luck, its a great experience. Food is meant for survival. What has been presented in the menu and the plating of the restaurant is fine dining. As for opinions they are just that. Personally, myself being a culinary student, I would love to try dining at The Fat Duck. It is an extremely unique menu which is exciting. As for the service charge, It is acceptable if the service is quick, not as if to rush you out, but as to meet your current needs, not to mention explanations on wine parings and so on. I am being taught not only to cook, but to accept cooking of all shapes and forms. Open mindedness is the way to go. So cheers to those who do enjoy pricey meals not just for the cost of dining, but the atmosphere, service, tastes, and experience deserve a pat on the back.

As for the chef to be, good luck, its a great experience.

]]> By: Tasneem Chopra http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-76371 Tasneem Chopra Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:08:53 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-76371 All this talk of high priced food and overrated taste has left me despairing for the meaning of food. A gastronomical assault is not a requisite to a financial overhaul when it comes to happy dining. You can aliken the experience to foreign films, in that the presence of subtitles are no guarantee of a great movie. Matt, whatever happened to the days of good old fashioned home cooked persian eggs and caviar? Where have they gone? And by the way, where have you gone? All this talk of high priced food and overrated taste has left me despairing for the meaning of food. A gastronomical assault is not a requisite to a financial overhaul when it comes to happy dining. You can aliken the experience to foreign films, in that the presence of subtitles are no guarantee of a great movie. Matt, whatever happened to the days of good old fashioned home cooked persian eggs and caviar? Where have they gone? And by the way, where have you gone?

]]> By: Matt http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-73776 Matt Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:50:57 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-73776 joe... oh dear, oh dear - keep eating your kebab & chips mate... we're going this week and i expect it to be amazing... joe… oh dear, oh dear - keep eating your kebab & chips mate…
we’re going this week and i expect it to be amazing…

]]> By: DonsTag » Blog Archive » Das beste Restaurant der Welt http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-73411 DonsTag » Blog Archive » Das beste Restaurant der Welt Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:08:21 +0000 http://www.blogjam.com/2005/07/17/the-fat-duck/#comment-73411 [...] Wenn ich denn dann mal endlich richtiges Geld verdiene, weiß ich schon, wo ich es (zumindest ein einziges mal) ausgeben werde: In “The Fat Duck“, dem besten Restaurant der Welt (laut 600 Fachleuten in “The Guardian”). Die Portionen scheinen zwar nicht wirklich die Größten zu sein (ganz im Gegensatz zum Preis), aber es lohnt sich wohl, wie man so diversen Berichten entnehmen kann. Aufmerksam geworden bin ich darauf in der 3sat-Wissenschaftssendung “hitec“, die über die dort angewandte Molekulargastronomie berichtet hat. Und nach London wollte ich ja sowieso noch. Natürlich nur, um dann schnell weiter nach Schottland zu fahren. Wird Zeit, dass das große Geld jetzt mal bald kommt… Dons Tags: TV und Kino, Wunschzettel, Wunschzettel Essen, Zukunft [...] [...] Wenn ich denn dann mal endlich richtiges Geld verdiene, weiß ich schon, wo ich es (zumindest ein einziges mal) ausgeben werde: In “The Fat Duck“, dem besten Restaurant der Welt (laut 600 Fachleuten in “The Guardian”). Die Portionen scheinen zwar nicht wirklich die Größten zu sein (ganz im Gegensatz zum Preis), aber es lohnt sich wohl, wie man so diversen Berichten entnehmen kann. Aufmerksam geworden bin ich darauf in der 3sat-Wissenschaftssendung “hitec“, die über die dort angewandte Molekulargastronomie berichtet hat. Und nach London wollte ich ja sowieso noch. Natürlich nur, um dann schnell weiter nach Schottland zu fahren. Wird Zeit, dass das große Geld jetzt mal bald kommt… Dons Tags: TV und Kino, Wunschzettel, Wunschzettel Essen, Zukunft [...]

]]>