Tipped

most expensive meal ever!!

October 06, 2008

I visited this restaurant some time ago and was amazed. We had a late table about 9.00. Where we got there we were shown in and chose some wine. I cant remember what it was but after 2 bottles between the two of us I know it must have been fab!

I had seabream and asparagus as my main which was fantastic. But the best part was the desert. It was a pear un tatin for 2 which was the best dessert I had or will ever tase. It came in a sizzling pan and we shared it. I would be happy just eating that for the rest of my life. When I looked around i noticed that most of the other tables where couples dressed to the nines celebrating something.

Then the bill came. It was £200 which although expensive was worth it and I have been to other places since and paid a similar amount and they haven't come close

Keywords: gorden ramsey, claridges

Sumptuous Affair

May 25, 2008

My husband and I were given dinner as a wedding present and what a fabulous present it was.

Book well in advance if you want a particular day or time. We booked 6 months in advance and could only get a table for a Saturday night at 6pm.

The food is superb and there was something for everyone on the menu. The dining room is beautifully presented with every detail attended to.
The staff were very attentive, sometimes overly so, but I think this was due to our early table time.

At the end of the meal the host asked us if we'd like coffee in the adjoining bar and a tour of the kitchen which I found really interesting. We took this as our cue that they needed the table, yet it was very slick and didn't make us feel unwanted at all.

Worth every calorie

February 22, 2008

It’s not every day you get to experience a Gordon Ramsay restaurant; in fact very rarely unless you’re taking clients or have loads of money (which I don’t). It was a wonderful evening and exactly what I would expect from his infamous Claridge’s.

The dining room is large with many tables, but not too close where you hear every word from other diners; just right. Large ceilings with huge round lights dropping down that give it a ballroom-like feeling. They start you off with a champagne or Kir Royale followed by homemade breadsticks with a cream cheese & truffle dipping sauce. Anything with truffles, I’m all over. You think that IS your bread, so I ate a lot then they bring the bread rolls with butter so I had that too. I can already feel this being a carb-overload meal but what the hey? When in Rome!

We had a main waitress, a nice gal who was attentive but not overly so, then a couple of her sidekicks who would fill our water glasses or wine, and then of course the sommelier who helped my client choose our wine (which was fabulous – a Riesling to start then a Cote du Rhone Syrah with our main). The amuse bouche was a carrot and cardamom soup with wild mushrooms. I wanted to lick the bowl it was so flavourful. For our starters, three of us had a large ravioli of lobster and salmon with a dill and cardamom sauce. Out of this world and beautifully presented. Another had the grilled scallops with aubergine puree and roasted peppers. For my main, I had the John Dory fish with purple artichokes, fury potatoes, and baby carrots in a sauce that I can’t recall but it was good. The dish was good but not “out of this world” and my last bite of fish (they were small bite sized chunks of fish) tasted too fishy. The chateaubriand I was told was amazing and one of the girls had the pork belly which she scarfed down so I assume was delicious as well and another girl had the pasta with wild mushroom, truffles and a truffle sauce (they cater well to vegetarians).

Desserts were in fact “out of this world” and very unique. They gave everyone a taster or chocolate mousse that seemed to have a slight hint of coffee in it and served with hazelnut whipped cream. That could have been enough for me but we had already ordered our main desserts. I had the poached pineapple with praline crisps and salted caramel ice cream. So, so good. Others had the cinnamon crème brulee; apple done 3 ways (tarte, cheesecake, and jelly); caramel parfait; and then the impressive cheese plate with about 2 dozen stinky cheese to choose from. Then of course, we ended the meal with coffees and chocolate.

Yes, over indulgence is the key word here but worth every calorie.

High Glamour

August 22, 2007

Gourmet food in glamourous Art Deco surroundings. Serious foodies may say that the food is not quite as good as Royal Hospital Road, but the surroundings more than make up for it. The dining room is a treat, and they offer a fairly priced set lunch menu. A great place for people spotting - our lunchtime visit was spent surrounded by an eclectic mix of minor celebrities, the blue rinse brigade and what looked like Carlos the Jackal, who sat alone and wore sunglasses throughout his entire meal.

Very good

August 02, 2007

Its what you would expect from Gordon. The service and food were faultless. His Hospital Road restaurant has more flair. Go here to be seen.

Keywords: Faultless