Let me lead with the headline. This was the most perfect dining experience I have ever had in my 60ish years on the planet. Me and my partner booked an overnight stay and the tasting menu.
So let me break this down.
The location is...beautiful, a well managed estate of sculptures, herb gardens, orchards and Le Manoir itself. Quiet let us say. Don’t come here if you want a spar, are a gym bunny or the party lifestyle. This is quiet elegance far removed from all that. .
The staff or brigade. They are wonderful. From the time you arrive to the time you leave you are treated by everyone with politeness, good humour and utmost efficiency. Everyone knows their job and does it brilliantly.
The food. We had the tasting menu plus cheese. Absolutely wonderful. A few things I personally wasn’t keen on (I don’t do courgettes) but that is what a tasting menu is, to get you to try things. And you have to. The cooking was exemplary, faultless even. Indeed I devoured the lot. The menu comprised of 7 course which is seasonally adapted. So when you go determines what you get.
The drinks. I had the wine tasting menu chosen by the sommelier to compliment each course, my partner had the non alcoholic drinks tasting menu (yes you heard that correctly, a non alcoholic tasting menu). Each drink was wonderfully explained and expertly delivered.
The dining experience. Pre booking this was my big concern. Personally I don’t do formal very well. Sitting in a suit eating is not my idea of fun. Weddings with everyone in posh frocks and suits is not my thing. I needn’t have worried. Everyone dining was relaxed, open collars, relaxed. Smart but no peacocking. You knew from the car park there were some very wealthy people in the room, but a big take away was that we were all just there for some great food.
The room. Wonderfully art deco, pristinely clean and everything you need for an extremely comfortable stay, although I did find the light switches a bit of a learning curve.
So in summation. This is expensive, actually very expensive, but it was a treat. It is likely I may never do this again. If you are lucky enough to try it then do, you will create a memory that will live with you forever.
I thank everyone at Le Manoir for such a memorable day.More