London was the trip I was looking forward to the most, because it was booked for after university deadlines and it was seen more as a treat for finishing university and moving back home. I’m from a family full of foodies and once we were told that Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant was taking bookings for the month of May, we rushed to book the exclusive restaurant alongside accommodation etc. After booking the restaurant, we were emailing our waiter or ‘storyteller’ to ask us a few details about ourselves that could be used within the night to cater the story to our lives and some of our memories. The full night was filled with twists and turns, the story of a family holiday of Heston as a little boy started as soon as we sat down in the restaurant and it was truly magical. The chairs we sat on were old style car seats, and to put ourselves into Heston’s story as the journey of the holiday began, sitting in a car driving to the seaside. We were given a map to show each course with a magnifying glass giving the illusion of a treasure hunt. The story was told by our waiter throughout the night whilst the food was being served. Each course was truly delicate, flavours exquisite and an experience in itself. After starting with an appetiser it was time for Breakfast as we chose it on a Holiday card that you typically pop on the back of the bedroom door before you go to sleep. A custard that tasted like a full cooked breakfast, a hot and cold coffee in the same glass cup and a truly touching part of the night was when we received the cereal boxes. In this cereal there was a wooden box that you build, again taking us all back to our childhoods. It was only when our storyteller came out with the wooden box with our family restaurant logo across it, that it was a very personal touch to the evening. In my eyes it was to show that my dad that has created ‘Tinto Tapas Bar’ as it reflects his life now versus when he was younger, building a toy from a cereal vs actually building a business. Throughout the night we also had an extra course compared to other diners, it was a rabbit paella which also represented the Spanish tapas bars and family business, this was an amazing surprise for us. As each course was small and light, there was numerous features of Heston’s story which included a trip to the seaside, and this dish was caviar and crab. Another seaside dish came with a shell and earphones to listen to the sea and seagulls whilst eating salty items like foam and seaweed. Rocket and Twister iced lollies with ice cream that taste more savoury than sweet. A woodland setting that tasted of mushrooms and truffle to emphasise the treasure hunt. A Mad Hatters themed course with a gold leaf pocket watch which was placed into a ham soup in a teapot accompanied with a finger sandwich. Then, we chose a 3 course dinner meal with whiskey gums. After, we were given light meringues which floated on top of a pillow and listened to bed time melodies. This resembled the end of the day and bedtime in Heston’s story. A coin provided in the Breakfast course in the building block was used for the sweet shop, which looked like a dolls house. The coin was put in, and drawers started popping out and lighting up. It then spat out the sweets and flavours chosen from the holiday breakfast card, in a sweet shop pink and white striped bag, which we left with.

A highly enjoyable night with outstanding food and service.

#TheFatDuck #Maidenhead #London #Bray #Restaurant