My bucket list is a pretty ambitious thing I must confess. Oh there are the usual things, visit certain countries and eat or do certain things. However on the list is to be a guest at one of Heston Blumenthal’s Fantastical Feast dinner parties as well as eat at The Fat Duck and Dinner. The latter two are much more achievable but I’d love to actually meet him and find out what makes him do the creative things that he does. Because if anyone melds imagination, science and food perfectly it is Heston Blumenthal.
The last book I received of his was Fantastical Feasts which was a fairy tale type of book with how he made the items that he did for the show. His graveyard inspired me to make my Halloween party graveyard. This year however sees the release of quite a different offering from Heston, a tome on how to cook at home titled “Heston Blumenthal at Home” with a picture of Heston taking out some goodies from the fridge on the front.
In the book there are classic dishes like onion soup, roast chicken, prawn cocktail, Scotch eggs, shepherd’s pies and lemon tart but there are also dishes that come from Fat Duck, albeit the simplified at home version, including scallop tartare with white chocolate, his famous bacon and egg ice cream as well as a salad that resembles a garden and an intriguing cinnamon and vanilla ice cream that can switch from one flavour to the other. His tips are invaluable along the way-after all this is a scientist that experiments and shares with you the results of his experiments.
He starts with the basics of taste and explains that salt is actually the best item to counter bitterness, not sugar, then discusses the fifth taste of umami and then launches into the recipes with each chapter starting with an in depth explanation on the item. There are basic stock recipes like white chicken and brown chicken stock (not the actual colour of the chicken but rather the brown uses browned vegetables and meat). There are also very doable salads, sauces, mains and side dishes (and most recipes are about a page long) from the Italian Bagna Cauda vegetable dip, chicken and ham pies, tea smoked salmon, the cleverly presented scotch egg picture above, slow roasted rib of beef with bone marrow sauce and a very simple but effective liquorice poached salmon. Desserts range from a tiramisu, banana Eton mess and a delectable golden syrup creme brulee. Not every recipe has a picture but the ones that do you may find yourself automatically bookmarking.
Comfort food gets the Heston treatment and there are recipes his triple cooked chips and the ultimate cheese toastie complete with a kite length of mozzarella string where the first ingredient is “1 new washing up sponge (without scourer)” and a fish pie that looks like fish, sand and the beach on top-a more at home version of his famous Sound Of The Sea dish! If you want to have a little look, here is a sneak peek of the book and below is his hot chocolate recipe from the book.
Hot Chocolate from Heston Blumenthal at Home
Rich, sweet and warming, hot chocolate has got to be the ultimate comfort drink, and I’ve added cream and real
chocolate to make it about as comforting as you can get. Frothing the mixture with a hand blender gives it a lovely
light, velvety texture. Serve with pineapple, orange-blossom or rosewater marshmallows (see book).
Serves 2
- 100g Dark drinking chocolate
- 55g Dark chocolate, broken into small pieces (minimum 60% cocoa solids)
- 60g Whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
1. Put 200g cold tap water and the drinking chocolate into a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat.
When boiling, add the dark chocolate, whipping cream and salt, and stir until the chocolate has melted.
2. Using a hand blender, aerate the chocolate before pouring into a big mug to serve
Thanks to Bloomsbury, one lucky Not Quite Nigella reader will win a copy of Heston Blumenthal At Home valued at $65 and two runner ups will receive a copy of Heston’s Fantastical Feasts valued at $55! For a chance to win all you have to do is tell me what is the top restaurant on your bucket list! Simply add your answer as a comment to the story. The competition ends at midnight AEST on the 4th of December, 2011. You can enter this competition once daily and it is open to anyone within Australia. To learn more about Heston and the book and win other prizes, you can visit the facebook page.
***The winners are:
Weichen Y. of ACT (Heston at Home)
Carol L. of NSW (Fantastical Feasts)
Leonie J, of NSW (Fantastical Feasts)
***
Best of luck!
Lots of love,
Lorraine
xxx
This giveaway is sponsored by Bloomsbury
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308 Comments | Add your own
My daughter’s restaurant – she is only 14 but has the name and layout designed already! We were watching Heston’s show and she commented “that’s the type of chef I want to be one day mum”, I told her to strive for that dream, so please please this would be the perfect Christmas gift for her
Taking the distance and impossibility of booking out of the equation, would love o o to Noma!! Closer to home Momofuku at the Star is on my list …
Da Michele pizzeria, Naples.
My Thai in Auchenflower in Brisbane. Delicious fresh Northern Thai food that I would walk over hot coals to get to enjoy a banquet there. Like any great place you have to book well in advance because so many other people have it on top of their bucket list. Once you have discovered it you will want to try it as well. And my husband stops everything he is doing to watch Heston Blumenthal.
The Fat Duck has been top of my bucket list for some time now, Heston’s creativity and vision blow me away, and I know it would be a dining experience I would never forget.
becasse
Sheer indulgence:
Sheer indulgence: Alain Ducasse a Plaza Athenee
I would like to have lunch at the River Cafe – the restaurant that has launched the careers of celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver. If it is still on the menu, I would order the grouse bird. An extra bonus would be a fine day with sunshine!
after reading good living last week, i would defs like to go to noma, but a closer alternative would be to quay to try the snow egg ive been lusting after for so long
El Bulli for me. 4 in a row and 5 in total… Sorry Heston but you’re a close second!
I have loved Heston ever since watching Kitchen Chemistry, he is a genius and eating at The Fat Duck is certainly on my bucket list. I need his new cookbook, pretty please. The pictures are spectacular, I love that string of cheese
The Fat Duck would have to be at the top of my list.
Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli, no explanation required
The restaurant I most want to travel to and enjoy is Shannon Bennets Vue de Monde in Melbourne. We had a big o/s trip this year and dined in some special restaurants, but I think we have world beaters right here in Oz. Can’t wait to go back to D’arrys Verandah and others in McLarenVale, and a weekend in Sydneybis heaven on a plate, and can I tell you a secret-here in Brisneyland we are enjoying great restaurants too.
Wow I just read the quick preview of his book. Really cool pictures and I need to show this to my husband he’ll be excited with all the tricks and creative ideas. Simple food/recipe stands out with very creative way of presenting it (sounds like you two are similar in some ways). Too bad I’m not qualified but it was fun checking his work!
Quay, definitely Quay. Sydney isn’t too far away from Canberra, so we will definitely manage this one. Dying to try Peter Gilmore’s Snow Egg, it looks sublime!
What a great prize!! Either book would be amazing
Ever since I started watching the Heston series I have wanted to eat at the Fat Duck.
Seeing as El bulli is shut, I’d most like to eat at The Fat Duck!
It would have to be El Bulli in Spain. Very similar to Heston with the use of science to create a taste experience more than a meal. The crazy imagination that these chefs have is mind blowing. The kids and I love watching Heston’s Feasts on SBS. To be invited to attend his dinner party would be so cool. Heston uses a thermomix to create his amazing concoctions so I had a get one too!
fatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckFATDUCKfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduckfatduck
Wow what amazing photos! Heston is a genius!
The top restaurant on my bucket list would be my own- because that means I would have achieved stardom by then and NotQuiteNigella could do a review on me
Otherwise I just have to go with Heston, I saw him in Sydney and he is amazing! I love the idea of making some of his dishes at home to give others a bit of whimsy too.
The Fat Duck is absolutely my ultimate bucket list restaurant! I would also love to go to Momofuku. *sigh*
Oooh yes please.
Of course the restaurant at the top of my bucket list is The Fat Duck. (I’m hoping to get there for my 40th birthday – thinking that maybe if I keep dropping the right hints, my husband will clue on that I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go there. He’s still got a few years to organise it – and save for it!)
I gave a squeal of excitement when I saw the blog title…because im just ever so slightly dying to go to the blue duck and try this phenomenal mans food!
We’re going in a trip next year, and planning a few days inthe uk only for the slight possibility that we’ll get a table at the restaurant for lunch…I’ve already studied the booking conditions and have the dates marked in mt diary when I can get on the phone!
The Fat Duck Restaurant with Heston of course!!! wowo, what an experience that would be
Hands down, The Fat Duck. I wouldn’t be able to leave this world at peace unless I got to sit in his restaurant and weep over his delicious creations assaulting all my senses. If he was there in person I’d probably die right after the meal anyway from excessive amounts of brilliance.
I think my top restaurant to eat at would be Hestons restaurant as well….I love his show with all the crazy courses and would love love love to be sitting in on one of them too
Now I must go make myself one of those AMAZING looking toasted sandwiches….LOOK AT THAT CHEESE!! yuuuummmmm!!!
Oh there are so many. I haven’t made it to NOBU yet and would most certainly like to go. Typically I neither live in London or Japan any more. I always intended to go, but never quite got there. I’ll have to look and see it they’re elsewhere actually. ( Off to google now……:)
Ok, blonde moment…. There are 22 locations now! Yea! Maybe I should go in the draw to win HB’s at home book as it appears I don’t really get out much!!! Lol
My bucket list would be Momofuko in NYC and the Quay in Sydney
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
What a fantastic Saturday prize
! I would love to sit next to the guy at dinner and hear first hand a little of the mindset which lead him on his very individual path in cooking. Well, as ‘second-best’, to have one of the books would be heavenly. To be ‘politically correct’ I should, of course, cite the ‘Fat Duck’ as the restaurant I would most like to visit. Of course I would, but, being from N Europe, curiosity does make me choose ‘NOMA’ in Copenhagen as first and ‘Marque’ in Sydney as second. Trust me to be perverse 
!
What an interesting cook book Lorraine. This guy is the molecular gastrony chef, no? He had a show on Food Network that was a little quirky to say the least! The hot chocolate looks devine.
It’s not technically a restaurant, actually a dessert cafe, but I would love to go to Tatiana Grigorieva’s dessert cafe in Brisbane – Caffe e Gelato Milany. It looks amazing!
The Fat Duck is the only thing truly on my bucket list, and not just in the ‘dining’ section of the list. It is my dream. Even though I couldn’t really afford it, I splashed out a couple of years ago and bought ‘The Fat Duck Cookbook’ which I absolutely treasure. I also have HB ‘In Search of Total Perfection’. I would love to add Heston at Home to the collection.
HOW W-H-I-M-S-I-C-A-L-L-Y entertaining Heston is, TRUE!
Can you IMAGINE what it would be like inside his head? a view?
I consider him “The Pharlap of food”,
Creates tantalisingly tasty dish to enhance ANY mood!
Thanks! WHOO HOO!
Hi Lorraine … What a fantastic competition … My honest and obvious answer is The Fat Duck … I love Heston and very much look forward to the experience of having all of my senses tantalised by him
Well, apart from the Fat Duck,one of the many restaurants on my bucket list would have to be the amazing seafood places at East Coast Park in Singapore, and I’d of course have the Chilli Crab
I would love to go to Tetsuya’s (on my next big birthday list) and when next in the UK the fat duck of course as Heston is amazing In search of perfection is a wonderful book and I have now mastered tandoori chicken to die for without a tandoor oven.
This guy would be fascinating to talk to I think, such an interesting blend of science & creativity going on in that mind!
My bucket list meal would have to be a degustation at Tetsuya’s
Theres this restaurant in Manhattan , New York that Ive been longing to go , called ‘Le Bernardin’
As much as I would love to go the Fat Duck my number one choice is Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Hospital Rd, he is my ultimate chef and I would love to be able to go to one of his flag stone restaurants and experience the fantastic restaurants first hand
Lets start at Noma, mains at el bulli and desserts at the fat duck…
May all my dreams come true !!
Haha…The Fat Duck!
My bucket list restaurant would definitely be NEXT.. The concept is very forward thinking. Fat Duck is definitely a must see and Heston Blumenthal is by far a genius. But NEXT changes completlely every 4 months…
I actually got to eat at the top restaurant on my ‘bucket list’ this year, and that was Heston’s The Fat Duck. Just managing to get a reservation was a miracle. Then the most amazing meal ever. Four hours of incredible food combined with the theatrics and awakening of all senses through food that is what you would expect. A once in a lifetime experience that did not disappoint.
My Mum used to cook a different meal for each of us almost every night as we are all the fussiest of eaters and we used to call the kitchen “Mum’s Restaurant”. So, if my bucket list could have a little bit of magic thrown in, that would be my choice.
Of course, ever since I saw Heston put the tongue inside the mountain of jelly at one of his feasts, anywhere he cooked would be on the list, too.
“The Red Dragon” has the best Peking Duck and a Chilli Chicken to die for
Will I sound like a massive dickhead if I say “my own”?? ahahaha. I have some pretty lofty dreams of my own restaurant….patisserie/ice cream parlour/pizzeria/cheese room/rocky road emporium/gourmet mac n cheese bar/wonderland of wacky candy creations.
…yep, I dream of opening a restaurant almost purely to cater to my own tastes.
The restaurant on my ‘bucket’ list is *Taxi Dining Room* I haven’t been there as yet, but have heard some really good reviews about it.
The restaurant which has a rather unlikely name, boasts that it offers the complete culinary experience, with a combination of Australian, Asian and European. The reason it first came to my attention was because I heard that they served excellent Japanese.
Just to remind my fellow bloggers – ‘El Bulli’ has shut and, I guess, there is no use crying over the proverbial spilt milk! But, thank you, Granville, for bringing up Alan Ducasse at Plaza-Athenee in Paris – one of my fave hotels in Europe to boot
! What a dinner that would be!! 
!
My favourite hoped-for dinner destination?
YOUR PLACE.
I’m such a suck-up
Tetsuya’s is one of them but I have ticked off from my wish list already on my last birthday. It was the most spectacular dining ever for me. And now I’m dying for 1 restaurant called Arizona de Takazawa in Tokyo. A super fine dining restaurant that only has 2 tables (8 people) and the chef with his wife as waitress. Not a michelin star restaurant but is like taking to another level of dining. http://www.aroniadetakazawa.com/
we love watching he’s tons creations on tv such imagination & creativity so fat duck would def be on the bucket list but I also think noma & el bulli as well with their many accolades over the years
Dan Akyrod’s Funky House of Blues on the famous Sunset Strip
The top restaurant on my bucket list is Noma in Denmark – though not sure I’d tackle the live shrimp!
I’d love to go to French Laundry in Napa. Supposed to be absolutely awesome! I have eaten at Bouchon which is another of Thomas Keller’s restaurants and love it to bits!
I have a number of restaurants on my bucket list. Top of the list is The Fat Duck, next Per Se in New York and Restaurant Sat Bains in the UK. Don’t know if I will ever be able to go to any of them but I would love to have a copy of his book to try and recreate some of his beautiful food at home.
I love to eat at my Grandmothers place one more time but sadly she died ten years ago.
ElBulli … We’re going to try get there in 2013!!
Stefano’s in Mildura
Heston’s, nothing but the best!
Tetsuya’s – lucky enough to have been quite a few times, and yet it is always top of my wish list. Noma 2nd in line
I went to a restaurant in Chang Mai in Northern Thailand belonging to the King’s noodle maker. The noodles I ate will be cherished with longing in my heart for the rest of my days. To go back there again and have such perfect noodles seems to be almost too much to expect.
Definitely Quay in Sydney
Very most definitely The Fat Duck!!
Tetsuya is definitely on my bucket list.
the fat duck for sure – if i was going to england i would book a table before anything else and our whole trip would revolve around it – the alice in wonderland feast was my favorite – im mad as a hatter for anything alice in wonderland
The tsukiji fish markets in Japan- not a restaurant per se but the cultural surrounds plus the world’s best sushi are just too enticing to be beaten.
Well what can I say, The Fat Duck of course!
Movida. Hubby was lucky enough to be taken on a work function, and promised to return with me. Still waiting!
I Loooove desserts so the “2am Dessert Bar” in Singapore is one restaurant at the top of my list to try.
Would have been El Bulli before it closed, but now I’d probably say Noma. I’d like to go to Denmark anyway, so why not eat at the world’s best restaurant.
Wow what a fabulous book! And the photos are stunning! Oooh where would I love to eat? I’d love to go back to Père Bise when husband is in a better mood. Or Maison Pic or Le Jardin des Sens. Although boy I’d love to travel to Italy, Japan, the US and eat at so many!
If I could get through the door of TETSUYA’S & dine at my leisure I would be thrilled to pieces. I have heard RAVE reviews & I want to dine & rave too.
Thai Pothong. Best Thai in town and excellent service!
Well it’s not exactly a “restaurant”, but I would absolutely LOVE to come to one of your fabulous Halloween feasts! Coming in second would also have to be The Fat Duck. I adore all things quirky especially when it comes to food, oh glorious food!
Parkers:-)
Funny enough The Fat Duck is the top restaurant on our bucket list. We wanted to visit last year when in London but realised it was quite a fair way out from The city itself. One day though
The Fat Duck is at the top of my dining bucket list!
I wish I had waited a little longer… just got his hefty Fat Duck book… great to ogle over but…the recipes are beyond my capabilities… sigh… This looks like a more practical one to have…
the fat duck….the mans a genius
For at least a decade now I have longed to visit Kyle Kwong (I mean meet her personally, of course)in Sidney and eat every night of a week at her restaurant, Billy Kwong. I so loved her BBC television show which no longer airs in my Atlanta market, I miss her so. So I cook and teach out of her brilliant books/recipes she has channeled from her ancestors and her family and her travels with true cooks in China and Australia. Kylie is a very special human being, so centered and graceful, so intelligent and witty. Her food and stories bring her magic onto your plate in your own home. Still, my fondest desire is to visit Australia and New Zealand, which is why I found you on this blog.
Oh my goodness, how long do you have lol. The Fat Duck and El Bulli are up there but there are so many! I want to eat my way around the world of three star and three hatted establishments. When I’m not eating at those, I want to be eating at the little street vendors expereincing the REAL cuisine of the area I’m in!
Kefi Greek Cuisine .. the best food and value for money hands down .. huge servings and delicious delicious delicious food!!!
definately ‘the fat duck’
I do not actually have a preferred destination, so instead will opt for your place, as from reading your blog…at least I know that the company will be great and the food…fantastic
Would have to be an event night at River Cottage HQ Axminster,have been a huge fan of Hugh Fearnely Whittingstall since Cook on the wild Side. Closer to home Tetsuyas all the way!!!
MIchael Moore’s The Summit
Tomislav has been on my wish list for a while. I’ve loved to try Heston’s thrice cooked chips, and ever since learning Tomislav have something similar, I’ve just been trying to find the right occasion to go!
The Fat Duck – really never experienced something like that
On my bucket list is to win a prize before I die to see if It’s possible, l.o.l.
El Bulli was sadly the top of my list until its closure as a restaurant this year. The Fat Duck has always been next on the list, so I guess it’s now sitting proudly on top. Loved hearing Heston talking in Sydney earlier this year – his excitement about food is absolutely contagious and almost childlike as you can see from a lot of his comfort food recipes. xx
Fat Duck it is, if we ever get the chance to go onto the list
Buzo in Paddington… everything a restaurant should be
Icebergs (Bondi) – the view is to ‘Dine’ for!
Momofuku The Fat Duck Rockpool Tetsuya’s The Fat Duck It would be sublime to eat at all of these and they are all my bucket list for their unique and innovative approach to dining x
Gambaro’s Restaurant, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
Fat Duck is definitely the top of my restaurant Bucket List. I plan to revolve a vacation to Britain based on when I can get a reservation there!
Gordon Ramsay’s – The Savoy Grill. His menu would be non negotiable, it would be best of the best. With the way he “treats” other restauranters it would have to be. He’s done it all up and restored it to it’s former glory. Apparently the “Lunch Trolley” brings a different offer everyday. Something for everyone, mainly meat eaters
The Fat Duck would get me a quacking…
a nice little place in tuscany…I dont care where just somewhere!
Just put me on a plane to Japan , they have surpassed the French at their own game by having the most Michelin 3star restaurants in the world!!
Ricky’s at Noosa!
While the Fat Duck is at the top of my list (not the blue duck like I mentioned in my first post – completely sub par restaurant in Perth!) there are so many other places I’d like to eat…
One innWA – a cape lodge full weekend experience complete with cooking classes, meals, accommodation!!
Like so many others, it’s The Fat Duck for me.
OMG – this will get exciting before the dateline!! Am glad Tetsuya’s is getting so much acclaim! Worth it!! OK, I’ll add two hugely oldtimers still going and how: Numero uno – I would love to return to ‘Four Seasons’ in NY. I was there the week it opened and sitting in the ‘Pool Room’ [tho' that was not where the cognocenti sat] was absolutely unreal [oops, I think the food was great also
!]. Secondly, I would love to go back to ‘Moulin de Mougins’ somewhere not too far behind Cannes: still going. I was far too young and inexperienced to really know what I was experiencing. At this point in life methinks it would be heaven . . .
The fat duck would be wonderful:-)
The Fat Duck has to be the ultimate right? All the fun with the food as well as the amazing flavours.
But in Australia I still haven’t managed a trip to Quay and that is my local bucket list.
The fat duck is my ultimate bucket list place – anyone who has seen Heston in action via TV can see his passion and creativity – who wouldn’t want to experience that first hand!
Fat Duck is totally up there with Quay and any of Zumbo’s places in Sydney absolutely fabulous darling!
My top restaurant to visit would have to be the Fat Duck, only I wish it could be one of his Fantastical Feasts meals! More specifically the gothic one! It looks like so much fun and so very, very tasty!!
Quay! Cam (my partner) and I called months in advance to try and get a booking when we last visited Sydney and they had no reservations left :O (given it was around NYE). We were devastated as we’d planned to go there for so long, but we’ve promised each other we will make it there some day
Tetsuya
Waku Ghin!
The top of my list is The Berkeley, London. Not only would I drool over the food but the chef Marcus Wareing as well!
Noma is at the top of my (ridiculously optimistic) bucket list, but more realistically, Tetsuya’s would also be pretty awesome.
I really want this book! They serialised some recipes in the paper last weekend and I’ve already made his incredible scotch eggs. Sadly I don’t live in Oz, but will be going out to buy my copy of this book soon anyway
El Bulli. Unlikely, though. Perhaps just “Spain” as a backup.
THE FAT DUCK. I’ve been in Australia for a year now and from the UK originally. I’ve loved Heston before he became a household name, and the Little Chef TV series was my favourite. I’d love to visit the Fat Duck with my nearest and dearest for the tasting menu!
OMG the pictures from the book look divine! I’d love to be able to try out the recipes!
The top restaurant on my bucket list is Per Se in NYC, on the Upper West Side at Columbus Circle, run by French Laundry chef Thomas Keller. I hear it has amazing views over Central Park to the Upper East Side.
I’m going to try and make a reservation there for my upcoming NYC trip ^.^
THe top of my list would be Noma but a more realistic top of my bucket list is the Greenhouse in Perth – I love the idea of this restuarant!
Another “local” on my list – any of Adriano Zumbo’s places! I think that man is another great creative genius, I’d love to try his desserts/cakes….although I’m not sure I could handle the sugar
A friend has just been to Fat Duck, based on their amazing experience, there’s no question about it … FAT DUCK!
The French Laundry in the Napa Valley! A good friend of mine is now cooking there and I would love to go see her and meet Thomas Keller.
I’m with you, meeting Heston is definitely something on my bucket list; I just want to see into how his mind works.
I told my boyfriend to buy this for me for Christmas and it has arrived but I’m not allowed to see it yet, so I can’t wait to lay my hands on it. Ultimate cheese toastie looks awesome! Cheeeese!
Luke Nguyen’s Red Lantern. His legitimately real Vietnamese food, which teases me each week on TV would be mind blowing!
Heston’s own The Fat Duck.
Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo and hopefully next year I get to go there – WOO!
With 3 kids and a husband who never gets holidays I have to be realistic with my answer. My bucket list top resataurant (if you could call it that – more like a van) would have to be Burger Theory in Adelaide. It has been voted the best “tastiest” burger joint in Australia. Call me boring but I gotta get to Adelaide and try these burgers.
Tetsuyas has always been on my ultimate restaurant list, but is SO hard to get in to… oh well, hopefully one day i will get there. !!! x
Oh SUCH a hard choice. I would say either The Fat Duck or Noma would be mine. Actually, now that its on paper (screen? lol), The Fat Duck definitely. Heston is one of my idols and every time I see ANY of his shows, interviews or appearances, he never ceases to amaze me. I love that he has brought out a home cookbook
Anywhere, everywhere. where I get a great meal and a rest from cooking
The Witchery in Edinburgh (right next to Edinburgh Castle!) Outrageously opuelent with panelled wood, candles and lots of glimmering silver, and sitauted in the midst of the most gorgeous, cobble-stoned Dickensian wonderland imaginable. And an incredible history…
I would love to go to French Laundry – I’ve read the menus on the website and swooned over the incredible ingrediants and attention to detail.
Restaurant L’Ambroisie, Paris. One, because the food would be AMAZING. Two, because if I ever go, it also means I’ll be back in paris (hopefully this time with my wife
The fat Duck is at the top of my list and then a close (and more achievable) second is Vue Du Monde.
I would love to dine at Rockpool in Sydney, Australia – just divine but so far out of my price range.
Mine is not a restuarant but a place and a person. Would love to sit down with Frances Mayes at her home in Tuscany and share a meal with her…. or anywhere in Tuscany for that matter.
Babbo Ristorante NYC. Mario Batali cooks the way I like my food to be cooked. With love and passion. He wouldn’t love his bubbly and carefree yet flavourful and well thought-out approach to food. Gotta love that orange Crocs of his. He’s my idol and MY all time fave Iron Chef.
Just saw the H at Home book when I called into Executive Chef (Bne) for a bit of culinary-porn. Flicking thru the ‘pea and ham’ soup caught my eye. I’m pretty keen to try Mrs G in Melboune.
On the wagon I go. Fat duck it is.
Tetsuya’s… but I don’t think I’d ever get to go there… but I’d really love this book!
I would love to visit Quay restaurant in Sydney, as I have read so many reviews about it which are all great. The dishes look delicious as well, and the view from the restaurant is priceless. It would be a perfect dining experience!
Definitely the Fat Duck. I really regret not going there on my last trip to London. Ive been to alot of the top restaurants in Sydney (most recently David Chang’s momofuku Seibo!), in Japan (Tapas Molecular Bar, Les Creations), and Joel Robuchon’s L’atelier. Seriously – anything for Fat Duck!!! If only he would open a restaurant in Sydney too…
El Bulli. It’s at the top and has been there for a long time… and i guess will always be because I’ll never get to go there now!
I would love to eat at ‘Dinner in the Sky’ where you’re eating at a table & sitting on a chair that is suspended 150 ft in the air by a crane!
The top Australian restaurant on my bucket list is Quay
I got intrigued by Peter Gilmore’s snowegg when I first saw it featured on Masterchef Season 2. I see he now has a white nectarine version of it on the menu. It might be a nice way to celebrate the end of 2011 – driving up to Sydney and going to Quay – better ring and see if we can get a booking! :s…..:p
Agreed Fat Duck has to be up there on the “have to experience” Bucket list but for my “sitting down for a Sunday lunch, fire in the back ground and a great bottle of wine” bucket list – Corrigans Mayfair for me, that accent, that pudgy tummy (never trust a skinny cook), I love him and cant wait to dine there some day!
Let’s support the Aussies! I would love to be able to eat in a (prosperous) Number One Wine Bar when it is reopened by Tony Bilson once he overcomes his current difficulties.
The man is seen as one of Australia’s “treasures” when it comes to food – let’s hope he is able to trade his way out.
Top of my list last year was Quay, Fat Duck and Tetsuyas!
My family took my for dinner at Quay last year for my birthday and reality was better than the write ups!! ^__^
I have been in love with Heston since my aunt (who lives in the UK) went to fat duck in 2005! Being a science minded foody myself, i hold him in the highest regard.
New to my list this year – Alcatraz restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.
most definitely Fat Duck. Hopefully next year this bucket list item will be crossed off!
Definitely The Fat Duck for me as well. I wanted to go to Dinner when I was in the UK earlier in the year but my friend couldn’t get a reservation (read later I should have just tried rocking up there as they quite often squeeze one or two people in each night). Mind you, we went to Pollen Street Social (Jason Atherton’s place) and that was amazing… and Jason was just gorgeous and ended up sitting at the table with us and pouring us drinks. *lol*
Universal at Darlinghurst owned and run by Christine Manfield.
My daughter took me for my birthday and Universal is a testament to the famous Sydney chef’s world travels. Each dish is a sophisticated melting pot of international influences, beautifully presented on your plate. Because each dish size is entree size your taste buds get to savour a few more choices, like the steamed gold band snapper with Iberian ham, green lentils and fennel, the spiced coconut swordfish, smoked duck breast infused with the flavours of jasmine tea. Then come the desserts, the ice cream copy of the old fashioned gaytime is my all time favourite. It is fine dining and offers a cosy, contempory haven from the bustling streets around the Darlinghurst area.
The Quay in Sydney,Peter Gilmore is fabulous,just need a dinner date to take me there….any offers?
Le Jules Vernes Restaurant, Paris
To many to say just one! But Noma, The Fat Duck, Magnolia Bakery, Zumbo, Quay and Tony Bilsons.
El Bulli! But since they’re closed, then… the Fat Duck comes as a close second.
(ps. Lorraine, I have an Australian addresssssss)
The Winter Garden Restaurant, under the 8 storey glass rooftop and elegant setting for the traveller of all seasons to experience whilst staying at The Landmark London
The Fat Duck!!!
“Chez Dominique” in Finland. With head chef Hans Vindamaki. The food looks really light and refreshing on each plate. Elegance at it’s best & the simplicity of art food perfection at its classiest. This is definetly on my bucket list. Here I present a site for you to see the class at it’s delicacy. http://www.chezdominique.fi/press_cd2
Alinea. I love Chicago anyway and the experience sounds incredible.
Over east experiences I’d love to try…quay, universal, ms g’s to name but a few!
The Fat Duck for sure – absolutely love Heston and his cooking style!
So many on the list, but I’m a big fan of what Fergus Henderson does with the less common cuts, so at the top, I’d love to get my offal fix from those who do it best at St John
I am 17 years old and spend my afternoons after school watching hestons feasts and nigella’s kitchen as I am an aspiring chef! My favourite resteraunt wouls have to be Scusami Ristorante on Southbank in Melbourne city. It has a traditional Italian menu and over looks the Yarra river.
Noma!
I would love to go to both the River Cottage by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and also the Fat Duck. I love the concepts that Hugh has and I also love Heston’c consepts on how things food is created. Very ying and yang.
I’ve never heard of Heston before, but his food looks amazing! I’m sure it tastes equally great too! I would love to eat a meal at a celebrity chef’s restaurant & have them cook me something special!
El bulli!! But sadly that will never come true anymore ):
I could say Noma or Mugaritz which are high on the list but one I think I would me most excited about would be a trip to Bras in Laguiole.
The Flower Drum in Melbourne. I have only ate at takeaway Chinese restaurants. I would love to eat at one that is rated so highly.
has to be the Fat Duck – not just to enjoy the amazing food myself, but to watch my 15 year old daughter’s face as she had the ‘Heston Experience’. She is totally infatuated with how he cooks and loves the fact that he is almost child like in his enjoyment of providing a taste sensation for others
Hubby took me to the Fat Duck many years ago when we were first dating and he was all loved up. I remember every bit of it, from the charming waiter, to the people at the next table with the nitrogen tank, to the bacon and egg ice cream and my (now) hubby whispering ‘please don’t choose a 500 quid wine’
The food was AMAZING – it is my all time best food experience.
What are the bucket list rules I wonder? Can it stay on my bucket list even though I’ve been???? If not, then I guess I will just have to ‘slum it’ at Noma.
#1 UK restaurant on my bucket list would be the Fat Duck! (I had to divide my bucket list into regions :p)
What I love about Heston Blumenthal is that he doesn’t stop there in his determination to perfect the most common and ordinary dishes, which just goes to show how much thought he puts into food…like how to make the perfect toastie and triple-cooking chips to perfection :>
My bucket list restaurant is Iceworks at Bondi Beach
The Fat Duck!
how awesome would it to eat at a heston feast – in my dreams. But going to Flying Fish has been on top of my list and we are going for our 10th wedding anniversary, so excited
the number one item on my bucket list since I read about it in high school a decade ago was El Bulli, the second item is the Fat Duck. Now that El Bulli is on longer open to the Public, the Fat Duck is number one on the list
I agree with everyone else who have suggested ALL the big name restaurants. Even though I would love to eat at Fat Duck, Per Se etc….there is one place that has been on my radar for a while…. Bobcat Bite Burgers in Sante Fe, USA. What a classic American experience it would be!http://bobcatbite.com/
I’d love to go to Nobu in Melbourne. I love Japanese food and my experience in Japanese fusion cuisine has always been very pleasant :> my friend cannot get enough of their Black Cod Miso dish, which certainly sounds delish!
Their decor looks amazing, and my friends and I have made some desserts from their cookbook which have all been extremely yummy indeed!
My ultimate would have to be The Fat duck:-)
Not a restaurant as such, but I’d love to go to Buddy’s bakery from the Cake Boss!
Charming Recipes – Manly Vale!
Everything is yum… esp their Teriyaki Wagyu and Chilli Duck!! Yum yum
I have heard so much about the famous Maha Bar and Grill in Melbourne with Shane Delia, he is one of Melbourne’s most innovative chefs.
Per Se in NYC – one of the 4 star restaurants that I never made it to/couldn’t afford when I lived in the City.
Jacques Reymond Cuisine de Temps!!
THE FAT DUCK oooh just thinking about it is making me all giddy! Heston is such a food hero to me
Zafferanos on the Swan River, Perth W.A
Le Bernadin, New York City
The Howlong Golf Club has Chinese which is ever so nice. I bet when you visit you will come back twice.
Having another ‘foodie’ readthru’ am SO glad commentators are getting away from ‘Fat Duck’ etc fame ones
! Retracing the possibilities, I have yet to eat at ‘Billy Kwong”s or ‘The Quay” – yes, I would like to – perhaps more at Luke Nguyen’s ‘Red Lantern’ . . . Gordon Ramsey’s ‘Savoy Grill’ is one which does not appeal: I was there many times postwar when it WAS ‘SG’ in all its British glory and no artifices – it was wondrously elegant, with plain, but perfect food: you simply had oysters/smoked salmon and Dover Sole/roast beef or lamb: boring – oh no, not if you were there . . .
Would love to experience of having a meal cooked at heston blumenthal’s place. So different from any other chef and cooks outside the square.
Momofuku:-)
Mugaritz – Let’s go to Spain!
Wouls also love to try Quay in sydney:-)
My bucket list restaurant is Maxim’s de Paris. Maybe no longer the best in the world, but eating there has been my dream since I was a girl (in other words, a VERY long time!)
Having watched the Anthony Bourdain No Reservations episode on SBS last week, Brasserie Les Halles has jumped on my bucket list! Perhaps it was Bourdain’s comment “why are the top French cuisine chefs not French?”, perhaps it was the amazing story of Carlos’ journey from an illegal immigrant working in the restaurant’s kitchen to the executive chef in just a few years’ time…
I would like to eat at Noma seeing that it has taken 1st place for 3 years now! Love the simplicity look of the dishes!
Definitely Carlo’s Bakery, owned by Buddy from Cake Boss. As a wanna be baker, it’s my ultimate!
Four Seasons in Ny:-)
The place I would love to go more locally is Shiranui, a Japanese restaurant, to have their omakase at the sushi bar
Its not really a restaurant as such but it is on my bucket list. Burch and Purchese. I would love to go to Melbourne and taste EVERYTHING there… maybe even sneek a peek in the magical world behind it all
Making me and my husband hungry – when do we go? Thankyou.
Next in Chicago, maybe multiple times to try some different menus. Sounds like an amazing concept.
Sage Restaurant in Canberra is on my bucket list of restaurants to try locally – having sampled the other popular places in town such as Waters Edge, Courgette and Aubergine (I know – what’s with these names?!), and after reading a recent post on Sage by SMB Canberra food blog – I really would love to go there soon. Their presentation looks amazing and I love how it’s in a heritage-listed building.
And I would love a copy of Heston’s latest cookbook! I admire how Heston adds the extra attention to detail to make simple dishes taste extra delicious!
What happened to good old fashioned Maccas.lol…Ok I’ll be more adventurous Maccas in the US.HA HA
El bulli… But it’s closed now and will reopen as el bulli foundation in 2014 – while not strictly a restaurant, I would love to be able to taste the creations they are to develop there…
Flower Drum in Melbourne. Although I am a fan of ‘Aussie Chinese’ cuisine which features sweet and sour pork and beef in black bean sauce, I am a sucker for authentic Cantonese cuisine (love the fresh ingredients with a seafood emphasis and the oh-so-delicate cooking techniques) and it’s always nice to see an upper-class Chinese restaurant in Oz!
Marque, right here in Sydney.
Quay with peter gilmore
wow that snow egg look divine would love to taste it
Love to go to The George in perth:-)
The Fat Duck is number one, closely followed by Vue du Monde and Nobu.
Nomu and the red dragon are also on my list:-)
If I ever travel to Germany I’d definitely like to dine at one of those restauratns where the your food/drink slides down to you from the kitchen on these metal tracks (a bit like a rollercoaster!)….such a fun novelty idea!
The Fat Duck is on my bucket list.
It has to be the Fat Duck. I am originally from the UK and have lived over in Oz for 5 years. On our last 2 visits home, we have planned to go to Heston’s restaurant, but i have been pregnant both times and have not felt up to it. Our last visit we did go to his revamped Little Chef, which was pretty cool. Next time we go home we will definitely NOT be pregnant and have the grandparents lined up to babysit…….i can’t wait!
I would love to go to Quay for my birthday!
I’d be happy enough to eat at any reataurant. My husband usually takes us to McDonalds.
The Fat Duck of course! I devoured all of Heston’s shows and The Fat Duck Cookbook, it’s my life’s dream to be able to eat his food
Aria
Tetsuya’s!!
I had the absolute pleasure of being able to eat at tetsuya last year so I would have to say it would definitely be Fat Duck. What a dream.
Momofuku :> I love Chang’s take on Korean food, and it’s very refreshing to see Korean food beyond what’s normally offered in Korean restaurants in Oz. I haven’t been to the new one in Sydney yet – but will def check out one of the ones when I’m in NYC in the coming New Year!
Oh what a luscious hot chocolate recipe from Heston! His cooking is not a mere magic show but shows true understanding of food and combination of flavours!
Quay restaurant is on my bucket list.
To return to a chinese Dumpling store I visited in Cambodia. It was truly amazing. They make the noodles outside out of rice flour, mould the dumplings and then serve them piping hot and full of flavour. It was an amazing experience that was repeated twice during the 10 days I stayed there.
The one restaurant I have always been dreaming of going is Quay, Sydney. Since I met Peter Gilmore, one of the best chefs in Australia and the Executive Chef of Quay at MasterChef Live last year, it has been on my bucket list. Seeing him cook up his pearl dish at MasterChef Live was awesome, it was such an elegant dish yet he made it looked as though it was such a simple dish to make. He has come so far in his culinary career without a mentor. I so wish to try this pearl dish of his but I was so excited of meeting him and so many other chefs last year at the event that by the moment I reached home, I have forgotten the steps in making the delightful and delicate dish.
Pier restaurant is on my bucket list.
Does afternoon tea at Bergdorf Goodman BG Restaurant in NYC count? On the 7th floor of Bergdorf Goodman – according to NYC food writer Kathy Chan it is “La Maison du Chocolat, Bellocq, Angelina, and YokuMoku all in one room.” ^.^
Afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab would be another I’d have to add to my bucket list. Not just for the gorgeous food but also for that stunning view.
Nobu London – say no more
Of course The Fat Duck.
Love to try Osteria Francescana-in italy:-)
Marque restaurant is on my bucket list.
I’d love to go to Movida in Melbourne – I have both of their cookbooks Movida and Movida Rustica, and have loved the recipes I’ve tried out of them (and all their recipes and photographs look amazing!)
This giveaway is so awesome – I never missed an episode of Heston’s Feast – he’s a genius: his cooking may appear like a mere trickery but magical combinations of texture and flavour
The fat duck. Without a doubt!
The Flower drum – heaven.
I was a bit disappointed I didn’t get to Heston’s London restaurant (Dinner) when I was over there… I’d add that one to my list as well.
Waku Ghin is top of my list!
Tetsuya’s is on my bucket list.
The Fat Duck… and I am not just saying that because this is a Heston competition, but it has been on my “must try” list for many years. Eating there would be more than just a meal, but an experience!
Lil black duck…..
Est restaurant is on my bucket list.
Guillaume at Bennelong is on my bucket list.
Noma
Definitely ‘The Fat Duck’! I would also love to visit Jamie’s restaurant, ‘Fifteen’
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The restaurant on my bucket list is my place. Having Heston come to my house and make a fantastical feast for me and my friends out of what he finds in my cupboards. (I have a lot of weird and wonderful stuff as I get caught up in recreating every dish I taste or read about)
Quay in Sydney, closest I have got is walking past it while on holidays!
Any restaurant where I know I can spend good money and get perfect food every time.
I would love to dine at Quay cause it’s such a beautiful restaurant and the food looks amazing! I would get the snow egg for dessert!
I would love to go to Quay in Sydney. I was in Sydney last year (i live in melbourne) and went to Quay but it was closed
I got a photo out the front but that was it. It would be amazing to go there.
The Fat Duck is the only restaurant on my bucket list, but it’s a bit silly to enter a competition where The Fat Duck is likely to be the answer of everyone else entering! So, in the interest of diversity, I also would love to experience both the new Vue de monde and Attica. Oh, and it’s not quite a restaurant, but a Maori food trail with Charles Royal would be incredible. Perhaps I should add that to the bucket list…
I would love to go to one of Heston’s magical feasts, that is my ‘pipe dream’ but since that is never going to happen and it’s not a restaurant anyway, I would love to visit the restaurant that Heston opened his book ‘The Fat Duck Cookbook’ with. To see what it was that started him on his journey of magical food. I’m sorry but I can’t remember the name of it but I love the way he described the fragrances, the sounds and the atmosphere that made the whole experience and therefor set him on his chosen path for life. What an incredible man!!!
The “Restaurant in the Sky” over Paris. Okay, the food might come a distant 2nd to the view, but I think I can overlook that as long as there are toilet breaks! Is there an option to combine the Sky option with food from The Fat Duck? Perfection.
my bucket list to date is a combination of wholesome home cooked food that reminds me of my childhood, right up to the explosive flavours, textures and culinary experiments that take you on journeys through time and your wildest imagination. from Butch Foods in Camperdown, to El Bulli and Fat Duck, my bucket list is as eclectic as me.
Sepia is on my bucket list.
Per Se in NYC. I spoke to a foodie from Sydney who went there recently and he reckons out of all the fine dining places in Australia and overseas he’s been to, this is the best value for money. They got a bunch of extra goodies too because he told them that he and his wife were on honeymoon!
to eat his food, the orgasam of the mouth, need I say more
On my bucket list would be The Fat Duck, can’t wait!
The Fat Duck is on my bucket list & I can’t wait to enjoy it!
there is only one of cours for me and that is The Fat Duck
Adrian Zumbo @ the Star is on my bucket list.
Matt Stone’s Green House on St Georges Terrace, Perth is incredible. Think he gets some of his inspiration from Heston Blumenthal!
My favourite restaurant is Botoli, a family owned Chinese Vietnamese restaurant. They are a great, honest bunch and have maintained consistent quality over the years.
A
Taking by budget into acc-i would like to try the revolving restaurant in Perth:-0
Would love a gastronomic journey at The Fat Duck!
I’m a cake addict, It would have to the Momofuku’s bakery, Milk bar. The crack pie is amazing.
Rockpool is on my bucket list.
Movida is on the top of my bucket list. I can’t wait to visit!
The Narrow
‘The Retreat’ in Warrandyte, VIC.
Becasse is on my bucket list.
Nothing fancy for me – there’s a cute little Asian Restaurant (The Red Dragon) that is off the beaten track, is very quaint and peaceful and serves fantastic meals – I must go back someday
I would love to go to Tetsuya’s one day. The man is amazing and my mouth waters just thinking about it!
Quay
Tatiana Grigorieva’s dessert cafe in Brisbane – Caffe e Gelato Milany. Not technically a restaurant, but it looks amazing!
The Eiffel Tower Restaurant, views and food to die for.
Vue de Monde – just thinking about ticking that one off the bucket list and I end up with a mighty big smile on my face!
Attica is on my bucket list.
I have heard rave reports about the Cococabana, no, not in Brazil, but in Hong Kong for French style duck! Go figure!
Having been lucky enough to eat at Rick Stein’s “The Seafood Restaurant” in Padstow and “Fifteen” in Melbourne as well as some very fine dining in Dubai I would simply love to eat at Heston’s The Fat Duck.
But then again my own at 33 on JHW home restaurant for faimly & friends is not all that bad either as I draw inspiration from them all.
Today i would be quite happy to eat outside at Nicholsons bar and grill:-)
I could be a big pig at the Fat Duck!
The French Laundry in Yountville, USA. It is a french-style, 3 michelin star restaurant, with owner and head chef (Thomas Keller) planning a new menu EVERY DAY.
flower drum melbourne
Not really a restaurant but I’d love to go to the Momofuku milk bar in New York to try their famous compost cookies…Yum!!!
VUE de MONDE in Melbourne. I hear it offers the best degustation service in Australia. They use the best ingredients including truffles and other luxury products. You can also view your culinary delights being prepared via the open kitchen. Sounds like heaven! I can taste it on my lips. Mmmm, so close but yet so far!!!!
The magical, fabulous Heston’s Home Restaurant. He just needs to invite me!!
Any of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants!
Vue de Monde is on my bucket list.
It used to be elBulli, but now I think it would be Noma or a second visit to The Fat Duck.
The Press Club in Melbourne
I would love to experience Pain de Sucre in Paris, their sugary treats are at the top of my list!
I agree with you bout going to one of his Fantastical Feasts. He’s like a real life Wonka and wasn’t going to the chocolate factory every kids fantasy?
Except even better coz his food is better suited to my adult, less sugar obsessed palate!
Would have to be The Fat Duck, where I could find out what eating someone’s imagination would taste like!
The Fat Duck top of this little ducklings list. What an experience that would be.
Tetsuya’s is where I wish to visit as it would be amazing and I have heard so much about it!
I would like to eat at Petrus in London.
Horse drawn restaurant at Windsor Sydney, beautiful antique carriages drawn by Clydesdale horses, delicious three course meals, great views and an experience of a life time, beats sitting in a crowded restaurant!
Tapas p/x George St Launceston,Tasmania… voted best creme caramel in Gourmet Traveller Australia … small,intimate,fresh,friendly and local produce …
The Source, Moorilla, Hobart. I went to a food and wine matching at last year’s MONAFOMA with the chef Philippe Leban. It was amazing and I want more!
Hestons tv restaurant as some of the foods he makes are just so amazing
Dinner at the Fat Duck & tea at the Savoy
Cinq at George V Paris, would be my dream come true
Flower Drum or Mo Vida, hmmmmm, tricky!
My favourite is El Bulli in Spain
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