Very good 'normal' food vs Michelin food

[raf_gti]

Sorry, crap title I know

As I get older I'm starting to enjoy far more diverse food, as such I'm very keen on trying a Michelin starred restaurant.

My only concern is that the menu will be overly challenging for me and I may not appreciate it, has anyone else had similar concerns and how did it work out in reality?

FWIW it's The Burlington at the Dvonshire Arms I'm considering

[Simpo Two]

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

[raf_gti]

Simpo Two said:

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

Most likely end up with a spare tyre if you eat too much as well.

[Baryonyx]

You won't get a big plate of anything, so if you're used to eating in restaurants where the food served is in a generous abundance you could be in for a shock.

[williamp]

raf_gti said:

Simpo Two said:

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

Most likely end up with a spare tyre if you eat too much as well.

I'm too tyred for these puns. I've got black circles under my eyes...

(serious answer: its not just the taste, its the whiole ambience, the precision etc. But I do feel that if you smoke, you might not taste the differences between them and normal, very good food. But there is a real difference

[Wadeski]

Try it on holiday first. Especially if you go to Italy, or Southern France in summer where its hot and sunny, the wine tastes holiday-good and the produce is fresh.

[Pferdestarke]

That was my first starred meal. Do it, seriously.

Steve is excellent and so are his team. You'll discover tastes and textures that you never knew existed.

Full write up please.

[zetec]

Simpo Two said:

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

I prefer the Continental menu.

[Chicharito]

I've eaten at the Royal Oak at Paley Street a couple of times.

Good food, but nothing to blow your mind.

[dougc]

zetec said:

Simpo Two said:

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

I prefer the Continental menu.

Ask the chef to Hankook you something unusual...

[raf_gti]

Some Pirelli bad punctures going on in here.

[Simpo Two]

Remoulds here.

Like a remoulade, but cheaper.

[giblet]

I have been wanting to try the same place for a while now. Given my standard diet I doubt I will appreciate a Michelin starred restaurant. That and I'm probably too common! Looking forward to your write up.

[raf_gti]

giblet said:

I have been wanting to try the same place for a while now. Given my standard diet I doubt I will appreciate a Michelin starred restaurant. That and I'm probably too common! Looking forward to your write up.

No pressure then

[Mastodon2]

raf_gti said:

No pressure then

A good write up is a must, or we will all feel deflated!

[flyingjase]

Don't be put off by Michelin star restaurants as they vary enormously, and sometimes that's all it is, very good 'normal' food.

I am getting disushioned by Michelin stars, whne they awared the food stays the same but the queue to get in gets longer!

One of the restuarants I used to go to a few times a year (Hand of FLowers in Marlow) has just got a 2nd Michelin star and now you struggle to get a table. Before you could ring up the week before - bloody nightmare.

Also another resturant I go to 5-6 times a year is the Sir Charles Napier at Spriggs Alley who has just got their first Michelin start so I hope they don't go the same way.

Anyway, just enjoy the experience.

[blueg33]

masterchef the Professionals gives a good indication of the difference in attention to detail between a Michelin * restaurant, and a run of the mill good restaurant.

IMO well worth the money at the ones I have been to.

[mph1977]

raf_gti said:

Simpo Two said:

Find Michelin rather rubbery and difficult to carve.

Most likely end up with a spare tyre if you eat too much as well.

• rimshot*

[Bill]

One element of getting a star is consistency, so there are plenty of starless restaurants that are up there but haven't had such a good year.

I've only been to one starred restaurant IIRC and we were all a bit too pissed to appreciate it. I think we were a breath of fresh air for the staff tbh as the place was a bit stuffy.

[Bullett]

Michelin stared food is 'normal' food just done better/different.

It's the style of food that is more important. French is obviously popular but may be challenging if you are not used to it. Somewhere like the Hand and Flowers is more like pub food then you have the extremes like Heston and the Fat Duck.

Don't forget it's not just the food that get you a star, but service, venue and even style has an effect. A 1 star pub will have a different feel to a 1 star restaurant.

Very few are snobby, all they want is for you to have a good time.