Looking for an occasion to make a return trip to this oasis in Oxfordshire.
Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saison is just stunning, situated in the village of Great Milton just outside Oxford. You can get a train to Haddenham and Thame station (10 minutes away) or Oxford station (25 minutes away) or if you have money to burn you can always park your helicopter on the private helipad.
The Helicopters were arriving and departing quite frequently when we were there, it was the only thing disturbing the tranquility of the place.
We went for the tasting menu followed by coffee and Petits fours in the garden. One course was a standout (much too everyone’s surprise). It was “stuffed courgettes” – I hate courgettes! I have no idea what they did to them, but the dish was a talking point for a long time afterwards. The rest of the meal was splendid too.
After lunch, weather permitting it’s nice to be able to wander round the grounds, and explore the large vegetable patch and Japanese Garden.
My visit was a while ago, before I started photographing my food and surroundings, which is a real shame. All I have now are my memories, one of the strongest of which is how relaxed I felt on the visit. A visit that encompassed one long sunny Sunday afternoon but somehow felt like I had actually been on holiday for a week.
Marks out of 10
Food 8.9
Service 8.9
Ambience 9