Alinea

Ate there this past weekend for my first time. It was a very unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. The creativity of the menu in combination with the incredible flavor combinations left me with a smile on my face throughout the entire experience. I would put it up there with Momofuku Ko, as one of the best dining experiences I've ever had.

Similar 'grade' as in the number of Michelin stars, location etc. I mentioned the price to be "normal" as in not being a lot more or a lot less expensive than others, not so much in terms of my own judgement as to whether it was good value or not.

Anyway, if I may include my opinion on it, I thought Marcus Wareing's tasting menu was well worth the price. In fact, I thought it was excellent value for money. I'd go back there in a flash.

Regarding Gordon Ramsay, I like Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (on Royal Hospital Road), although I don't like Gordon Ramsay at the Claridges (too many over-cooked things, not really great service). RGR was more expensive than the one at the Claridges but better value for money due to better cooking and better services IMO.

+1

Marcus Wareing's restaurant is well worth visiting. In terms of 2 star restaurants in London, I would put it on a par with Pied a Terre and ahead of the Square, the Capital.

That's exactly how I rate them too.

One thing I should probably say is that I thought the Capital was undeserving of 2 stars. I was quite disappointed with the quality of food.

Somewhat of a foodie in London
 

I am somewhat of a foodie, and I like fine dining. I will try the following when I am in London for a week:

Fat Duck
Marcus Wareing
Pierd A Terre
Gordon Ramsay.

Any other "must go to" places?

Be careful to book the 'right' Gordon Ramsay, i.e. not the one at the Claridges hotel but the one called "Restaurant Gordon Ramsay" on Royal Hospital Road.

I liked Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester but some people don't seem to like it.

I also like Le Gavroche. Different kind (a bit 'richer, heavier' if I may say) of food from the likes of Pied a Terre and MW but I liked it equally. It's a bit formal and some people find it stuffy, but I like that.

If you like Japanese food, I highly recommend Umu. It's a Kyokaiseki (kaiseki from Kyoto) restaurant and the cooking is authentic. It may not suit those who are unfamiliar with Japanese food as it's not "westernised" like Nobu, but I find that their food quality (and presentation and service) is far, far better than that of Nobu.

If you like Chinese food, Hakkasan is good. The restaurant is pretty dark though, so if you need reading glasses, bring a strong pair (I know it might sound like a stupid thing to say but it can be useful to some people). Their food is light and delicious.

Another good place is Tom Aikens. Food was great, although presentation occasionally left a bit to be desired, in that too many similar-coloured dishes were part of the tasting menu. But otherwise, it was really good. A very nice and airy restaurant too, on a quiet street.

Fat Duck - if you are by yourself, you can generally only book a table during the week (and well in advance, usually) so call them early. I haven't managed to eat there yet for this reason, because I tend to be in London over the weekend. Also it's not in London so allow travelling time when you construct your itinerary.

+1

Since LTN Phobia seem ad idem on some of London's 2 stars! :D

1. Avoid the Ramsay group aside from 'Restaurant Gordon Ramsay' on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea.

2. Alan Ducasse - good, but there are better Ducasse restaurants elsewhere.

3. La Gavaroche - proper old school French food. Their lunch menu is fantastic if you can't get a table in the evening. (As an aside, a number of places in London have upped their game at lunchtime to improve trade)

4. Umu is on my list of places to go, but I have few friends who are into authentic Japanese food

5. Chinese - I am a big fan of Princess Garden of Mayfair. It is expensive (probably unnecessarily so) but so far, it's as close as I have got to a grand banqueting suite in Beijing.

6. The Fat Duck - Again, you might find it easier to get a lunch reservation than dinner. Bray is about 45 minutes west of London and unlike Yountville, is accessible by public transport (apologies for the subtle dig)! Staying over in Bray itself is eyewateringly expensive due to the small supply of beds and the perennial demand. You can stay close by Maidenhead or Windsor and get a taxi to and from. Alternatively, get the train out to Maidenhead have a leisurely lunch and then get the train back in the late afternoon.

Agreed. Generally I like Ducasse style cooking in any case but I have had better Ducasse cooking.
The location helps though, being that the Dorchester is my favourite hotel in London.

As an aside, I'm hoping that the cooking at Cafe de la Paix and IC Le Grand Paris will be better in the future since the new head chef comes from Ducasse.

They sometimes run cooking demonstrations / 'chef's talk' thing at lunch time - you get to taste lots of sake as well. If you feel a bit uneasy about going there by yourself, I suggest joining the demo/chef's talk (you get to eat quite a lot too) as the atmosphere is friendly and you get to talk to interesting people too. Anyway, I'm usually on my own when I go there and they've been very good to me.

In fact, I haven't had any issue for being on my own at any of the restaurants I've been to. Solo dining is great - you don't have to worry about anyone else.

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll have to try this!

Non-Disappointing Restaurants
 

Robuchon in Vegas was absolutely perfect although my butt got sore sitting through the marathon eating. Worth every penny from the starting bread to the finishing mignardises.

Keep in mind this comes from a vegetarian, but (in no particular order)...

Tru - Chicago
Charlie Trotter's - Chicago
Ousteau de Baumaniere - Les Baux
Michael Mina - San Francisco
Pierre Gagnaire - Paris
l'Arpege - Paris
F12 - Stockholm
Bastide de Moustiers - Moustiers des Provence
Mosaic - Bali
Herbario - Medellin
Horizons - Philadelphia
Lumiere - Vancouver
Millenium - San Francisco (best vegan in the US, probably)
Pure - New York (best raw in the US, probably)




(To those who asked about difference's in Tru and Trotter's ...I've eaten at both several times and find Trotter's is a little more traditional, from the food to the style. There's usually one item on the menu that's a little 'out there' (experimental) that often doesn't work for me. Tru is more contemporary and focuses a lot more on presentation. I enjoy the food at both.)

Sorry, yes it was the Park Hyatt. I get my Hyatts mixed up it seems.

Bumping this thread to add another vote for Momofuku Ko. I had dinner there on Monday night and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had - at least top three, if not top two. I'm not a big fan of the staff attitude that comes with most of David Chang's restaurants, but it was not apparent at Ko at all. And the food was right up there with Manresa in Los Gatos. Simply fantastic.

Acquerello Restaurant in San Francisco. Had an amazing experience there and I am hoping to take my girlfriend there this year for our one year anniversary.

+1 same experience here

Frasca in Boulder, CO.

IMHO it's the best restaurant in Colorado. Everything about it excels, from the buzzy atmosphere, through the creative Italian cooking, to Bobby Stuckey's (he's the sommelier and co-owner) incredible ability to remember you even though you haven't dined there for a year!

A subject near and dear to my heart
 

NYC

Del Posto
Nobu
Cafe Boulud


DC

Vidalia
Bistro Bis
The Oval Room
Kinkead's
Zaytinya

I've eaten there once and loved it! My friends in Boulder are regulars, but it sounds like most of Boulder fits that bill.

fogo de chao in beverly hills

meat lovers paradise, and the salad bar is no slouch either.

Is it that good?
I went to the branch in Sao Paolo, and it was good, but nothing special.

+1 for UMU. I don't know how I could have forgotton.
For Lebanese in London: Ishbilia

Four mentioned I cannot understand at all:

Fogo de Chão. I know people like them, but I find them pretty mediocre, including the ones in Brazil.

anything Emiril, Ramsay or Waring. I find those formulaic and lacking in quality of service, food but high price.

I gotta say i really like the BH fogo de chao. I think its one of my favorite places to eat when im in the mood to all out eat, but i don't think its on the same level as some of these others. I would put FDC on the low end of fine dining but very upper end of your chain restaurant.

The BH FDC is the best Ive eaten at and Ive been to 5 of them and eat regularly at the PHX location.

Texas de Brazil is on par with FDC IME.

Come to Rio de Janeiro and try Porção, for that matter any of a number of churrasceria that are throughout southern Brazil. I have yet to find a hardened carnivore who did not love them. The ones abroad just are not in the same league. I do not know why. After all the ingredients are all available abroad.