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You ever ate at a Michelin star restaurant
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Several but the best experience I have ever had was in the middle of nowhere in France. We had broken down and they basically took us in and treated us like royalty - kids looked like ragamuffins due to the travelling but they put us on the central table and gave us one of the best meals I have ever had. We payed fully whack but the kids pretty much had the same as us and they charged 10 Euro for them. Outstanding. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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"Yes, fucking amazing... Also they brought a little table for my handbag... My handbag from sainsburys 🙈🙈🙈"
Wife loved this also. She also said when she was leaving the toilet as she went to push door open someone was there to pull it open for her. Not sure if that's normal or creepy. She loved it all the same. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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Many times. As others have said though, the experience can be hit and miss stars are no cast iron guarantee of an exemplary experience.
We had a very rude sommelier once who was incredulous hubby didn't want wine (he's teetotal), who was absolute clown.
More so as I heard him In the car park when leaving in a London accent, when in service he'd been very french..... |
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Many experienxes over tbe years both here and abroad. Some are great, other not at all. All generally overpriced. These days I prefer a much more relaxed approach to dining out rather than the stuffiness that often comes with it. Country pubs, family run places, sea9 front little restaurants, meze or tapas style eating etc is more enjoyable. |
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"Yes, a few. Some good, some great. The food's always been excellent.
A blend of informality and Michelin quality food is the sweet spot imho..."
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Did they go 'dutch' YOLO? Please kindly break convention and say yes. |
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"Yes, a few. Some good, some great. The food's always been excellent.
A blend of informality and Michelin quality food is the sweet spot imho...
·
Did they go 'dutch' YOLO? Please kindly break convention and say yes."
Haha, one time *she* paid!
(She was my Mum!) |
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"Yes, a few. Some good, some great. The food's always been excellent.
A blend of informality and Michelin quality food is the sweet spot imho...
·
Did they go 'dutch' YOLO? Please kindly break convention and say yes.
·
Haha, one time *she* paid!
(She was my Mum!)"
•
Mums are the best! ❣️ |
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By *vaRoseWoman 25 weeks ago
Ankh-Morpork |
"Yes, fucking amazing... Also they brought a little table for my handbag... My handbag from sainsburys 🙈🙈🙈"
Hahaha very similar experience for me in one establishment. My poor little SHEIN bag 🤣🫣
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"Once, really not my kind of thing. I love good food but without the pretentiousness "
I don't get the 'pretentiousness' thing. There's plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving food in a simple style, best is to research before you go. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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I have yes Adams in Birmingham ... really nice , although he also opened another restaurant down the road - the oyster club , still very top end , but about half the price and not Michelin star ...I actually prefer that one out of the two , maybe because I really love seafood xx |
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"I have yes Adams in Birmingham ... really nice , although he also opened another restaurant down the road - the oyster club , still very top end , but about half the price and not Michelin star ...I actually prefer that one out of the two , maybe because I really love seafood xx "
Often the best time to go to a great restaurant is early days - as soon as they get stars the price goes up ! |
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Yes, a few times, and love it.
It's not so much a meal, as a tasting experience. I would only ever go for the multi course tasting menu though.
I am not big on wine, but having a flight of wine or non-alcoholic can be incredible, it just sends the taste buds buzzing.
It's not a meal as such, but I have never left the restaurant anything but full, even if each of the 7 or 8 courses was tiny.
Well worth the money imo |
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A couple but despite them being reasonable experiences, they didnt really leave me 'wowed' in the way I thought.
After a bit of travelling with work a few years ago, I fell in love with the more informal approach to eating and street food. |
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Yes, in France, Spain, Italy and UK. All at least very good, a couple utterly outstanding. All (relatively) expensive. Best pub grub is at Coach in Marlow, but you pay! A good meal should be a sensual experience. Can't stand folk who see food as just fuel. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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"Once, really not my kind of thing. I love good food but without the pretentiousness
I don't get the 'pretentiousness' thing. There's plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving food in a simple style, best is to research before you go."
This,
Some have a relaxed dress code too. I wore jeans and a t-shirt. 🤷♂️ |
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"I ate at El Bulli once… that was better than Noma. Ferrari Adria is the godfather of Michelin stars. It was so understated as a restaurant. But the food was incredible."
Ah that's a dream for me ! |
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By *C44Man 25 weeks ago
Ipswich |
Varies Wildly...almost as if it's political. Imo the standard of some 1 stars is below a decent gastropub.
I do use the Michelin guide to look for restaurants as they do have a cheap ones that are recommended but no star filter, those and the bib gourmand ones can be very good at fairly average prices.
The best I have been to was bib gourmand and didn't have a star...Namu in Malmö
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By *C44Man 25 weeks ago
Ipswich |
"Varies Wildly...almost as if it's political. Imo the standard of some 1 stars is below a decent gastropub.
I do use the Michelin guide to look for restaurants as they do have a cheap ones that are recommended but no star filter, those and the bib gourmand ones can be very good at fairly average prices.
The best I have been to was bib gourmand and didn't have a star...Namu in Malmö
"
Further to this Namu was the day after we had been to Noma, whilst Noma was on a completely different level it was 14x more expensive, in hindsight it's not that much better |
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By *eckard25Man 25 weeks ago
North West Durham |
I always thought these things were a bit pretentious but then I ate at a gastropub that gets a mention in the Michelin guide but doesn't have a star and it was hands down the best meal I've had in my life. Not tried anywhere else mentioned yet but I plan to. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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Yes. Went to one just outside Le Man's France. It was amazing. Multiple courses (6 or 7) each one was beautiful. Staff were attentive but kept in the background. Totally unpretentious more like a friendly bistro than a top end restaurant. |
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"Yes. Went to one just outside Le Man's France. It was amazing. Multiple courses (6 or 7) each one was beautiful. Staff were attentive but kept in the background. Totally unpretentious more like a friendly bistro than a top end restaurant."
Quite a few in France are local family places, very down to earth but with outstanding food. |
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By (user no longer on site) 25 weeks ago
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"Yes. Went to one just outside Le Man's France. It was amazing. Multiple courses (6 or 7) each one was beautiful. Staff were attentive but kept in the background. Totally unpretentious more like a friendly bistro than a top end restaurant.
Quite a few in France are local family places, very down to earth but with outstanding food."
Yes and been to several cookery schools of great chefs |
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"Once, really not my kind of thing. I love good food but without the pretentiousness
I don't get the 'pretentiousness' thing. There's plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving food in a simple style, best is to research before you go."
The Michelin star is awarded for amongst other things the personality of the chef, i’m not interested in egotistical chefs and pretentious restaurant owners, I like good quality authentic food at a good price |
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"Why?"
Because eating out is about socialising with family and friends I’m being uncomfortable not checking out who’s there , what they are wearing , and eating wanky food in small portions made by a wanker |
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"Once, really not my kind of thing. I love good food but without the pretentiousness
I don't get the 'pretentiousness' thing. There's plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving food in a simple style, best is to research before you go."
Yes, I agree with that. I'm sure some are pretentious - but lots aren't. I'd probably say the majority in fact as good restaurants know it's about making people feel welcome and not being intimidating. I hate stuffy places, so just avoid them. Easily done. |
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"Why?
Because eating out is about socialising with family and friends I’m being uncomfortable not checking out who’s there , what they are wearing , and eating wanky food in small portions made by a wanker"
That’s a bit steep calling a chef a wanker  |
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"Once, really not my kind of thing. I love good food but without the pretentiousness
I don't get the 'pretentiousness' thing. There's plenty of Michelin starred restaurants serving food in a simple style, best is to research before you go.
The Michelin star is awarded for amongst other things the personality of the chef, i’m not interested in egotistical chefs and pretentious restaurant owners, I like good quality authentic food at a good price"
No, the criteria is 'personality 'as expressed through their cuisine'. Anyone who is exceptional in their field brings an individuality and style to their craft, that's not ego, it's talent. |
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By *batMan 25 weeks ago
Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales) |
A few times and all good experiences.
But I’ve eaten in lots of non starred restaurants that have been great too!
This afternoon my family and I had a “Menu del Dia” from a lovely little local restaurant.
Great food.
Great service.
Great price.
4 courses, bread and alioli thrown in too, half a bottle of wine each and a coffee. €12 a head. 🇪🇸
Gbat |
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"I've eaten a kitkat while my car was being fitted with Michelin tyres does this count? "
...
Unfortunately kitkats don't reach the criteria of gourmet cuisine.. Now a deep fried Mars bar does count .. 😋 |
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"I've eaten a kitkat while my car was being fitted with Michelin tyres does this count? ...
Unfortunately kitkats don't reach the criteria of gourmet cuisine.. Now a deep fried Mars bar does count .. 😋 "
The vending machine didn't have one sadly, I'll draft a strongly worded letter to quick fit at once! |
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Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C |
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"Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C"
What is a super taster ? |
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Worked as a chef in a few Michelin starred kitchens, box tree in ilkley, eriska near Oban & unalome in Glasgow. Never dined in one as a paying customer. Although i once booked a table at unalome, a former head chefs new place to try the tasting menu while on holiday in Glasgow. His kitchen porter rang in sick for his shift so he asked if I’d help out. I was treated to the entire 10 course tasting menu as I washed the dishes
Saved £150 and ended up copping off with one of his waitresses 😁 |
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We went to The Hand and Flowers as a bucket list thing for Ali's birthday, this was two star but we haven't really got anything to compare it against i.e. one star places!
All I can say was the food was absolutely divine and the steak, good lord! Whether it's worth the £££, who knows. But you can definitely tell there's an art to the whole affair! |
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"Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C
What is a super taster ?"
It's a genetic trait apparently, whereby you have heightened taste buds, so can detect flavours and ingredients in food that maybe other people can't.
You can take a test for it.
C |
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"Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C
What is a super taster ?
It's a genetic trait apparently, whereby you have heightened taste buds, so can detect flavours and ingredients in food that maybe other people can't.
You can take a test for it.
C"
That's fascinating, thank you. I love good food and fine dining but I feel I have philistine taste buds.  |
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"Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C
What is a super taster ?
It's a genetic trait apparently, whereby you have heightened taste buds, so can detect flavours and ingredients in food that maybe other people can't.
You can take a test for it.
C
That's fascinating, thank you. I love good food and fine dining but I feel I have philistine taste buds. "
It might be worth talking a test anyhow, if you're interested and you live your food - you can get them on Amazon, I believe. It's a great way to understand why you like, or are repulsed by certain foods.
C |
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"Many times, often as part of my job. I've found the tasting menus, with multiple courses, matched with wine pairings, to be the most sublime experiences, and a great way to try many different dishes.
Saying that, we've also eaten in street cafes that were Michelin recommended (not starred), and they were also good.
I'm a super-taster, so good food and flavours are important to me.
C
What is a super taster ?
It's a genetic trait apparently, whereby you have heightened taste buds, so can detect flavours and ingredients in food that maybe other people can't.
You can take a test for it.
C
That's fascinating, thank you. I love good food and fine dining but I feel I have philistine taste buds.
It might be worth talking a test anyhow, if you're interested and you live your food - you can get them on Amazon, I believe. It's a great way to understand why you like, or are repulsed by certain foods.
C"
Thanks C  |
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"Yes, a few. Some good, some great. The food's always been excellent.
A blend of informality and Michelin quality food is the sweet spot imho..."
Agree with this. I’ve eaten at a few but much preferred the slightly more informal experiences. |
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We've been to a few over the years but agree with a couple of people here, the food is fantastic but the atmosphere is often a bit stuffy. Prefer places that do great food in a more informal atmosphere.
There's often a misconception that because you get small plates you'll still be hungry, but trust me after 10 courses you'll be fine!
We can't justify the cost now and prefer to spend it on other things but you can get good deals for lunch.
If you love food it's worth trying for the experience, the service alone is worth it |
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Nope, but i know quite a few people that have and from what i've heard from each and every one of them i won't be bothering either.
If i go out for a meal i don't expect to pay exorbitant prices only to leave still feeling hungry and looking for a takeaway on the way home. |
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"Yes
Hand in Flowers
L’Ortolan
Le Manoir
I like good food 👍🏻"
Le Manoir is such a beautiful and special place, absolutely worth every penny and would recommend it to anyone for a once in a lifetime experience. I’d love to stay there one day too. |
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By (user no longer on site) 19 weeks ago
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"Yes
Hand in Flowers
L’Ortolan
Le Manoir
I like good food 👍🏻
Le Manoir is such a beautiful and special place, absolutely worth every penny and would recommend it to anyone for a once in a lifetime experience. I’d love to stay there one day too. "
It really is beautiful. Such an indulgence but hey we’re all here and we only live once. |
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"Nope, but i know quite a few people that have and from what i've heard from each and every one of them i won't be bothering either.
If i go out for a meal i don't expect to pay exorbitant prices only to leave still feeling hungry and looking for a takeaway on the way home."
The “leaving redeeming hungry” thing is an urban legend. Most of the time you’ll leave feeling satisfied, or full.
The dishes tend to be quite rich, which is why sometimes they’re small (sometimes). |
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We've eaten at 3 different Michelin starred restaurants. Each has only had a set "taster" menu, but they were all awesome food.
For me, although the meals were VERY expensive, none of them felt like they weren't value for money... I have eaten at other "good" restaurants where they were cheaper, but have felt like a rip off.
Cal |
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