Champage: 1997 Salon, S, Le Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs, Brut, France

NITRO POACHED APERITIFS (not pictured)
Vodka and Lime Sour, Gin and Tonic, Campari Soda

RED CABBAGE GAZPACHO
Pommery Grain Mustard Ice Cream

JELLY OF QUAIL, CRAYFISH CREAM
Chicken Liver Parfait, Oak Moss and Truffle Toast
Wine: 2009 Fumé Blanc, 900, Sevilen, Güney, Denizli, Turkey

SNAIL PORRIDGE
Iberico Bellota Ham, Shaved Fennel
Wine: 2009 Costers del Segre, Blanc Fermentat en Roure Allier, La Pobla de Cérvoles, Spain, Catalunya

ROAST FOIE GRAS
Rhubarb, Braised Konbu and Crab Biscuit
Wine: 2010 Pinot Gris, Signature, René Muré, France, Alsace

MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY (c.1850)
Mock Turtle Soup, Pocket Watch and Toast Sandwhich

“SOUND OF THE SEA”
Sake: DaiGinjo Masumi Nanago, Miyasaka Brewery, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

SALMON POACHED IN A LIQUORICE GEL
Artichokes, Vanilla Mayonnaise and Golden Trout Roe
Wine: 1997 Rosso del Veronese Ripasso, Campofiorin, Masi, Italy, Veneto

SADDLE OF VENISON
Beetroot Soubise, Risotto of Spelt and Umbles
Wine: 1994 VdP de l’Hérault, Mas de Daumas de Gassac, France, Vin de Pays

HOT AND ICED TEA

TAFFETY TART (c.1660)
Caramelized Apple, Fennel, Rose and Candied Lemon
Wine: 2009 Passito Di Pantelleria, Ben Ryé, Donnafugata, Italy, Sicilia

THE “BFG”
Kirsch Ice Cream and the smell of the Black Forest
Wine: 2009 Alella, Dolç Mataró, Alta Alella, Spain, Catalunya

WHISK(E)Y WINE GUMS

“LIKE A KID IN A SWEET SHOP”

Verdict: Utter utter heaven :) Simon and I both have birthdays very near Christmas and in recent years we’ve been giving each other trips and adventures instead of necessarily an object. This was my gift to Simon as his birthday and Christmas present. It is not cheap but it’s around the cost of a weekend away and we’ll remember this meal forever. The Fat Duck is small, seating about 40 people, and very discreet from the outside. The decor inside is also quite plain but nicely done. The service as you’d expect is also excellent. However the star is the food and that’s what everyone was there for! They only do the tasting menu, and it’s a 4 hour affair.

For a restaurant of this price bracket the atmosphere was very relaxed, there were families, people in hoodies, there was no sign of expense account business folks or overtly rich types. This might be in part be as I hear they don’t allow strings to be pulled to get a table. It was very difficult to get a table, they release the tables two months before on the first of the month online only. It’s then a crazy mad rush to get something before every table is booked up. I’m so happy that we ended up with a lunch seating, it meant we didn’t have to worry about how late it was.

There were three optional wine pairings, it adds cost but it is really worth going for one of these. I felt it doubled our experience. They also do wines by the glass and bottle but if possible do go for one of the wine pairings. My favourite was the dessert wine 2009 Passito Di Pantelleria, Ben Ryé, Donnafugata, Italy.

I’d love to go back one day. It was brilliant.