Murray’s – Fine dining at Whittlebury Hall

I haven’t visited Whittlebury Hall for a few years now and in all honesty I’m not sure why! Time always seems to be against me, not enough minutes or hours in any given day.  I however love a spa and pamper, doesn’t everyone, but I’m really not a water baby so always tend to take a wide berth of any intent to over exert myself in the gym and I also stay well clear of the main swimming pool area unless I’m lying down on a recliner with a good book. I am very much all about warm restful bubbles and cold prosecco bubbles. Whittlebury Hall has a great restaurant attached to it called Astons but on this occasion I decided to treat my husband to a little fine dining experience so opted for an evening visit to the newly refurbished ‘Murray’s’ restaurant .

Now in no certain terms this was a risk as my husband is a man that wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable in the plush surrounds of a fine dining establishment, too much cutlery choice and over pampering from staff, his wife however loves the good life. So there was already a possible comfort issues there for him but he really had no choice as we hadn’t been out to dine alone without our 4 wonderful children for just over 2 years. An embarrassing, ridiculous and very long time frame I know but family, work and life often takes over! I’m sure we are all in the same boat now and again.

It was early evening and we drove up the long winding driveway that led to the opening of the Whittlebury estate. I as always was incredibly excited for 2 reasons, number 1 I was eating out and number 2 I wasn’t cooking as I do every night for my family of 6! I’m going to be honest it look us a while to navigate our way through the corridors but were soon led to Murrays restaurant, it was a little hidden but on arrival I felt an immediate sense of relief. That sense of being looked after from the minute you arrive to the moment you decide to leave a restaurant regardless as to where you are eating is so important.  I’m a massive lover of outstanding customer service and really am put off by the lack of it. The manager and team delivered an implicit amount of care to all diners, this is paramount when you eat out at such an establishment and was duly noted too. My husband was made to feel incredibly comfortable especially after a few glasses of wine and random chatter from his wife.

We both sat in the lounge whilst enjoying a glass of my favourite Italian pinot and a selection of canapes that went down effortlessly, almost too easy, this giving us a chance to peruse the menu at our leisure. The menu was encouraging and seasonal offering either a choice of starter, main and sweet or a tasting menu which would cover 7 smaller plated dishes.

The restaurant has recently been transformed and redecorated. As I haven’t been before it was not for me to say how it has changed but all I will say is it was beautiful and elegant with a central bling chandelier in the centre of the great room.

Now seated at our table overlooking the small courtyard we both ordered the tasting menu for two. I love the idea of trying multiple dishes and also think with a tasting menu it sometimes takes you out of your comfort zone, giving you the chance to try something different and delicious. I’m not a fussy eater at all but am not overly keen on offal, however if this was on the menu I would eat it. Thankfully wink wink it wasn’t! The tasting menu was a very reasonable £65.00 per head for a 7 course menu, wine was an additional cost.

The tasting menu was as follows:

  • Amuse Bouche –
  • Cornish mackerel fillet
  • Wood Pigeon
  • Line caught sea trout
  • Bedfordshire beef fillet
  • Rhubarb and custard
  • Valrhona chocolate
  • Coffee and petit fours

 

I will not talk about each dish because they were all just perfect and at the end of the meal we were so full I actually asked to take my petit fours chocolates home in a goodie bag, I later devoured them in bed with a cuppa. The Bedfordshire beef was the best I have ever had the pleasure to eat, the trout melted in my mouth as did the subtle fragrant mackerel. The wood pigeon I just wanted more of, it was so good. But I will say the amuse bouche at the very beginning of the meal was a taste teaser that did not fail. Three or was it four baby confit tomatoes in a tomato consommé, an eye watering explosive taste that I still think about today. That’s what tomatoes should taste like you’re you were to close your eyes you’d eat the amuse bouche with a willing smile on your face. Yes I just adore tomatoes.

The desserts were incredible. They were deconstructed but in a way that made each mouthful react and respect the next, a real taste revelation that has left me wanting more. Dining at Murray’s has most certainly given me the desire to eat out more in my own home county as we clearly have some fantastic eateries and restaurants to boast about. However for me I will definitely be returning to Murray’s but may just wait for the next seasonal menu change. Highly recommended. 9/10

A fine dining restaurant that’s Boasts two ‘AA Rosettes’.

Murray’s at Whittlebury 01327 850457