The Fat Duck (Heston Blumenthal), Bray Review

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The Fat Duck (Heston Blumenthal), Bray
3.7 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.7 out of 5

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kirsty88's Review of The Fat Duck (Heston Blumenthal), Bray

14th Apr 2009

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    2.5 stars
  • Number of Michelin Stars
    3 Stars

I visited The Fat Duck at the weekend.. slightly apprehensive after it's recent closure i have to say, but all fears were quickly laid to rest. The venue itself is a blink and you'll miss it cottage type building on Bray High Street. From the outside it looks closed, inside however is lovely, calm, and smells fantastic!

We went for the tasting menu (you have to) yes it's hugely expensive (so much so that it's best not to think about it) but it's the experience you are there for.

So followed about ten courses of genius, I agree with previous reviewers that Heston Blumenthal is the only chef i have ever seen to indulge as many senses as possible. Favourites being sounds of the sea ( a course consisting of sashimi and edible sand that you eat while listening to an ipod of beach noises), snail porridge (much much nicer than it sounds) and the famous bacon and egg ice cream. There were stunning palate cleansers and amouse bouches - the oak moss course in particular.

The staff are wonderful, knowledgable and can't do enough for you. The wine list is practically a book. The somaliers are all very helpful when guiding you through it and happy to make recommendations. The wines aren't cheap either (nothing in this restaurant is) but there are a good selection of reasonably priced ones, and indeed you get what you pay for. All the wine we tried was very nice. We decided not to go with the paired flights for the meal as we wanted to choose our own - but the people in the restaurant that had gone with this option seemed to enjoy the chosen wines.

In conclusion, yes, it's shockingly expensive, but you know that before you go. It is a wonderful meal completely different to any other dining experience. Heston Blumenthal focuses not only on taste but also on whichever other senses he can and the presentation is second to none, the attention to detail is part of what makes it so special. It's not a place to visit frequently but if you want wow factor The Fat Duck has it in spades.

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