My wife and I dined here in March for our anniversary. It is a 2 (two) star Michelin restaurant. I recently read Devil in the Kitchen by Marco Pierre White and with all the emphasis on achieving the stars, I wanted to experience a Michelin restaurant for myself.
We went for the Tasting Menu of course, which was f90 (about $140 US). Can't beat that as it's 8 courses compared to the regular entrees on the menu that are f70-f90 each.
Of course everything was excellent. And Michelin quality service which you don't get much of in England. The only thing I could fault was the Granny smith apple creme was a bit too salty. Yes, I know it calls it out on the menu, but a bit too much for my American taste.
Marcus Wareing is rated as one of the top 100 chefs in the world. A former protege of Gordon Ramsey. I guess they had a falling out and Marcus went out on his own. While the experience was excellent, I have had just as good in the states. That is not to diminish the experience at the Berkley, but rather to point out that we have some great chefs here as well.
We went for the Tasting Menu of course, which was f90 (about $140 US). Can't beat that as it's 8 courses compared to the regular entrees on the menu that are f70-f90 each.
Amuse Bouche (Oyster Cream with Truffle Foam)
Pan fried foie gras, rhubarb, Lapsang tea, gingerbread, chestnuts, quince jelly
Scottish scallop, cucumber, caviar, smoked corals
Roasted and marinated quail, white onion fondue, butternut squash and baked potato
Monkfish, parsnip, and chanterelles
Cumbrian lamb, green olive and fennel, smoked lamb bacon
or
Anjous pigeon, poached and roasted, baby navet, pigeon casserole, spring truffles
Cheese from the trolley (extra charge- we passed)
Pre dessert
Warm chocolate moelleux, banana jelly, banana ice cream
or
Granny smith apple creme, spiced brioche crisps, popcorn, salted caramel ice cream
Pan fried foie gras, rhubarb, Lapsang tea, gingerbread, chestnuts, quince jelly
Scottish scallop, cucumber, caviar, smoked corals
Roasted and marinated quail, white onion fondue, butternut squash and baked potato
Monkfish, parsnip, and chanterelles
Cumbrian lamb, green olive and fennel, smoked lamb bacon
or
Anjous pigeon, poached and roasted, baby navet, pigeon casserole, spring truffles
Cheese from the trolley (extra charge- we passed)
Pre dessert
Warm chocolate moelleux, banana jelly, banana ice cream
or
Granny smith apple creme, spiced brioche crisps, popcorn, salted caramel ice cream
Of course everything was excellent. And Michelin quality service which you don't get much of in England. The only thing I could fault was the Granny smith apple creme was a bit too salty. Yes, I know it calls it out on the menu, but a bit too much for my American taste.
Marcus Wareing is rated as one of the top 100 chefs in the world. A former protege of Gordon Ramsey. I guess they had a falling out and Marcus went out on his own. While the experience was excellent, I have had just as good in the states. That is not to diminish the experience at the Berkley, but rather to point out that we have some great chefs here as well.
Michael
