The "New" Best Restaurant in the World

Restaurant Magazine declares The Fat Duck, in Bray, Berkshire, the "Best Restaurant in the World," knocking The French Laudry well off of its perch.

Erik M.

I thought it was Alinea! Opening soon!

Mike G wrote:I thought it was Alinea! Opening soon!

Since Alinea is not open, technically it is not a restaurant (yet).

Snail Porridge : Wolfram Siebeck reviews The Fat Duck.

It sure sounds familiar.

E.M.

My last visit to the French Laundry was a disaster (this was last fall). Service was indifferent, the food sometimes not served at the proper temperature (lobster was lukewarm), and the wine service was DREADFUL. We gave the sommelier free rein and a price guide, and he served us mismatched wines, ending with a fine Sauternes served with a chocolate dessert. This was only one meal, granted, but how often can I eat there at $400 a pop???

Jerry wrote: This was only one meal, granted, but how often can I eat there at $400 a pop???

I thought the justification for paying $400 a pop was that such a thing never happened. Perhaps Mr. Keller has stretched himself too thin, or maybe it was just an off day.

Somehow, when I next go that direction for a gourmet extravaganza, I think it may be Chez Panisse for sentimental reasons.

I have always had the impression that the Fat Duck had more in common with Moto, in terms of being wildly, but not always tastefully, experimental. Can't say I have been there, tho.

Novelist Jeanette Winterson wrote about The Fat Duck in her column last month (about half-way down the page).

http://www.jeanettewinterson.com/pages/ ... PageID=323