Where have you eaten out lately?

[Cosmopolitan]

How does it compare with The Pig? It seems like quite a similar concept, although maybe the Pig doesn't do quite such high end food.

I have only been to the Pig in the dark so I don't know whether they have gardens but it's not disimilar in feel. The food quality is definitely similar.

[Derek Nimmo]

It's most definitely going on the list Ken, that looks ace.

And I like the sound of more casual, big-time. I really resent getting dressed up to eat :waynetta:

[Ella]

I've had a few nice meals recently. On Sunday we went to the Ivy Cafe (these seem to be proliferating wildly) at Marylebone because we had a train to catch. I ordered some zucchini fritti because if I see them I usually order them. I had no idea how amazing they would be; they turned up in a huge bowl with a nice dip, and they were utterly delicious. This picture (stolen from the internet- they're on the right) doesn't really do them justice. I went to the Tower Bridge branch yesterday evening and ordered them again :lol:.



Then that night we ate at Le Manoir, which was as wonderful as I'd always hoped it would be. We had the tasting menu, and there wasn't a single dud. Also the service was amazing. I wish I could go back right now.

[Derek Nimmo]

I LOVE a courgette chip Good to know that the Ivy offshoots aren't terrible either, I haven't ventured into the one down here yet but apparently the decor alone is meant to be a thing of wonder.

I went to Novikov with work last week (the Asian bit) and frankly I was dreading it given the awful reviews its had in the past. But it was really lovely and not, to my surprise, full of Russian Oligarchs and their mistresses. Enormous, slightly confusing menu so my boss just gave them a budget per head and told them to bring whatever they recommended for the price and it was all excellent but the black cod dumplings were the winner. (The bill was astronomical so really not one to go to unless someone else is paying.)

[Ella]

Gosh, that does look very Mayfair!

Go and order the courgette fries immediately.

[Derek Nimmo]

Who am I to defy a direct order? :))

[Cosmopolitan]

I really like the Bristol Ivy offshoot, I'm so impressed at how well they've managed to get the quality of ingredients and service at what is now essentially a really high end chain. Cocktails are good too.

[Kenickie]

That's interesting about the Ivy cafés, I'd assumed they wouldn't be that good for some reason so I'll give the one near me a whirl.

I keep meaning to go to Le Manoir. It's a bit annoyingly out in the countryside though which is probably the main reason I've not got round to it. Did you stay as well?

[emma_p]

Oh, how lovely to hear Le Manoir is amazing. I’ve always wanted to go Did you stay there too?

We have had some amazing food so far but this place in Ronda was standout: http://tragata.com/home/

[Ella]

We did! It’s way out of my normal budget, but it has been one of those years, and I wanted to do something nice for S’s birthday as a surprise. It was SO nice. Everybody is so genuinely nice there, and there were so many lovely touches, like when we asked for a tray of tea, they sent some pretty little cakes over too unasked. The gardens are just amazing too, and I’ve never seen so many happy bees . It was a bit grey and overcast but that didn’t matter at all. I’ll go back one day when I can afford it again!

[smalex]

I've always wanted to go there too. In large part to walk around the gardens. I've looked at it several times for S's usual michelin starred birthday trip but it's so expensive plus as Ken says given the location means accommodation and taxi so I've never quite come around to doing it.

[Ella]

It is a total ballache to get to, but I’m sure somebody here has stayed nearby, possibly at a nearby pub with rooms? Might have been Suzi, actually. For me the stay was the point though if you see what I mean .

[Suzi.Q]

Le Manoir was amazing! I had wanted to stay there but got threatened with redundancy so didn’t book, then when I did go to book there were only ££££ suites available. We had the lunch tasting menu, and stayed at a Q hotel nearby, I drove but taxis wouldn’t be expensive to and from there.

[Annabella]

I have tried The Ivy Chelsea, Richmond and City. To be honest food was good but the restaurants were really, really noisy - wonder if maybe the area and they are quieter elsewhere.

I recently been to one of my very favourites - Moro in Exmouth Market (Clerkenwell/Farringdon) - I am never disappointed there

[H1ppychick]

I've only been to the Bristol Ivy and to the Marylebone one, in both cases I preferred the breakfast to the main dining.

I haven't really done any new restaurant dining recently - it was my friend who died in the spring who used to drag us out to new places.

[Ella]

The Tower Bridge branch was REALLY noisy, Annabella.

[Pippedydeadeye]

I would love to go to Le Manoir, what a wonderful birthday gift!

My last proper eating out was at Mowgli last week in Nottingham. The restaurant is a bit of a funny shape and it’s not quite all done, but I really liked it and it fits in well in that part of town. There were loads of new places I fancied trying.

[Suzi.Q]

We’re hoping to go to Northcote Manor for my birthday and stay over, if we can convince my sister to have the boy overnight.

[Kenickie]

Northcote Manor is lovely. They did a teeny tiny eccles cake at the end of the meal when I went.

[Glint]

I was here last night.

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