Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons

There are some 'interesting' reviewers on this site.

I have just enjoyed a short break at Le Manoir. Our room was spectacular. The staff were attentive and friendly: not at all 'surly-French', apart from the demi-Somellier.

We chose the 10-course tasting menu: which was a delightful 3 hour escapade through a splendid variety of dishes that were prepared and served perfectly. The accompanying Ruinart champagnes and selected wines were magnificent.

What seems to spoil the experienece are pretentious 'know-it-alls' up from London for the weekend who are under the false impression that they could improve on the event.

Advice.....relax, and let RB and his team do what they do best!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 03, 2009

Beautiful location. Have stayed twice in wonderful rooms. Eaten now 4 times. Food quality does seem to be deteriorating though. First time I tasted the Decouverte (9 course) menu it was stunning with real "wow" dishes. I'm afraid this time there were 2 or 3 quite bland dishes and no real stand-outs. Agree with some previous posters, this is not even close to GR at RHR for food or service, but with very similar prices.
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Rob
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, December 21, 2008

We had a first (but definitely not last) taste of Le Manoir at a friend's 60th birthday lunch in July. I can only say we found perfection from start to finish. Drinks with exquisite canapes in the lounge before lunch, impeccable service (difficult for a party of ten on two tables), wonderful food with amazing flavours, an awesome variety of home-baked bread, and finishing with coffee and superb petit fours in the lounge afterwards. The waiters had a great sense of humour (not what one expects of the French), and Raymond had been in the kitchen that day, and chatted with us in the lobby when we reluctantly left at 5.30pm. My husband has promised to take me there for our wedding anniversary, and I can't wait!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

We went for our first wedding anniversary and took our 8 month old daughter for the D B And B option. the service, though slow at times, was excellent and never pretentious (as we have found in some michelin starred restaurants). they were particularly accomodating when our daughter decided to throw a tantrum at the baby sitter and immediately offered to sit her with us in the restaurant for dinner!

the food was good but not exceptional and the breakfast was totally uninspiring.

the room was lovely but the bathroom was basic and in many ways 'typically french' (my wife is of french descent!). overall we thought a good place to take a child but overpriced and not in the same league as GR (either Claridges or RHR).
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Dr And Dr Shankar
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Took my wife and infant daughter this weekend. Had the menu decoverte which was showed accomplished cooking but lacked a dish that gave it a wow factor; the closest this nine course menu came to red meat was pigeon. However the halibut was the freshest I've ever tasted and the sommelier did a good job with wine pairing by the glass although I was surprised there was no accompanying pairing to begin with.

Service was good to start with but began to fall apart during the second half of the meal (I think we had about 5 different staff serving the meal) and my request for a cheese course seemed to be forgotten about for 20 minutes which is not what you want when trying to keep your child occupied for over four hours. The cheese board itself was disappointingly lightweight and our subsequent coffee order was incorrect and took nearly 30 minutes to arrive.

Of the six or so 2* restaurants I have eaten in over the last few years this was probably the most disappointing. If you know you're going to be in the area it's worth booking a table, but it wasn't worth a 3 hour drive and the B&B option that we went for. There is also a gulf in quality of cooking and service between Le Manoir and GR's 3* Royal Hospital Road. If you're looking for a short break experience, the Vineyard is a much better option with its excellent spa facilities and infinitely superior cheese board.
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Gareth - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 25, 2008

Superb tasting menu, top-notch service, lovely gardens, and stunning rooms!

But save it for a special occasion.
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FineDiningExplorer - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 31, 2008

I would just like to echo all the fantastic reviews this restaurant has received. This was without a doubt one of the best experiences I have ever had. This is a truly beautiful hotel and an incredible experience for anyone who is lucky enough to visit (try and stay if you possible can!) The rooms are absolutely stunning, bathrooms gorgeous and food is out of this world. Yes it is a very expensive overnight stay, but for an occassion is worth every single penny. Both my partner and I left feeling so elated by the whole experience and would recommend it to anyone who loves food. The whole package is first class!!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Great food but disappointing service and plus bad plumbing in the room. Lack of personal attention from M. Blanc to the issues raised in a written complaint left a sour taste for such an expensive venue.

Drive a few extra miles to the Waterside Inn at Bray where service is faultless.
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Andrew Makin
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, June 21, 2007

A most fabulous place for that special occasion. I took my wife her for her 50th birthday as a surprise. I had pre-warned the hotel. Monsieur Blanc personally welcomed her and spent 5 minutes with us, to the envy of fellow guests. He extended to us a tour of the kitchen, which we gratefully accepted. My wife was nearly in tears by now (looks of brownie points).

We had the 10 course tasting menu. We were both stunned by the amazing tastes. No more beetroots from Waitrose for us. The cauliflower puree was excellent as were all the other dishes. The Sommelier asked what types of wine we usually drink, and enquired as to our choice of courses, and recommended a selection of wines at differing prices - very subtle. The final bill came to £350, it was the £75 bottle of wine and pre-drinks! But worth every penny.

We were truly spolit and have booked to go again in July 07. Hopefully, we will not be disappointed.
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 18, 2007

As a vegetarian, it is always good when you get a decent menu selection rather thatn the usual lasagne or stroganoff, so when I discovered that Raymond Blanc did a special vegetarian menu, I just had to try it.

And he did himself proud. A whole, ten course, tasting menu without meat or fish. It was imaginative, beautifully presented and very tasty and just shows what can be done if you have the flair and skill.

The setting of the restaurant is stunning, and we were so glad that we went at lunchtime rather than the evening as it gave us some time to have drinks on the terrace, wander around the beautiful gardens and play croquet.

We were there for around five and a half hours and never felt pressured to leave, it was a really good day. Okay, so it's not cheap, but the whole experience was so much more than just a meal.
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Gaz - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 25, 2007