Birthdays come and go, but some call for a truly unforgettable experience. My mother's milestone birthday demanded something extraordinary, and there was only one place that fit the bill: Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc's iconic Oxfordshire hotel. Now, before you start planning your own trip, it's worth noting that Le Manoir is preparing for a refurbishment and will be closing in January. However, there's still time to experience the magic of this legendary establishment, with its incredible gardens, luxurious bedrooms, and, of course, the food. For 40 years, Le Manoir has held two Michelin stars, and Raymond Blanc is renowned for his pioneering garden-to-plate philosophy.
Arriving at Le Manoir, the honeyed stone façade welcomed us, and the impeccable service immediately set the tone. The staff's attentiveness is truly exceptional. We were offered champagne or a non-alcoholic alternative before being escorted to our sumptuous suite. Waiting for us was a homemade lemon drizzle cake, a bottle of chilled vintage champagne, and a plate of exquisite cookies. A thoughtful touch: discreet boxes are provided so you can take home any baked goodies you don't manage to devour immediately.
But here's where it gets controversial... or rather, delicious. We knew an epic supper awaited, so we savored the treats before exploring the famous grounds. The heart of Le Manoir lies in its two-acre kitchen garden, bursting with organic vegetables and herbs. There's also a Japanese garden with a tea house, a heritage garden, an English water garden, orchards, and glasshouses.
That evening, we dressed for supper and headed straight to the restaurant. We were presented with menus by the chef-patron himself, Raymond Blanc OBE. We opted for the three-course à la carte menu, 'Les saveurs du Manoir by Raymond Blanc, Luke Selby, and Benoit Blin'. We were warned about the bread basket – and for good reason! It was hard to resist, and we sampled four different types of heavenly carbs. My favorite was the tomato and bacon bread.
Next came the amuse-bouches, including a French onion soup that was utterly divine and beef tartare. For starters, we shared the risotto of garden vegetables and herbs and garden beetroot terrine with horseradish sorbet. Simple, yet chic, with flavors we'd never experienced before. My mother chose the Devonshire Creedy Carver duck, while I opted for the handmade gnocchi. Other options included poached Cornish turbot, A4 Kagoshima Wagyu, or suckling pig.
Since we are both dessert lovers, the pudding was high on our agenda. Mum had the raspberry soufflé, and I had the Apricot almondine. Our waiter discreetly brought a sorbet with a candle for my mother – thankfully, no singing staff!
We slowly retreated to our suite and I enjoyed a bath in the marble bathroom with their homemade, lavender-infused bath salts. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and we still had room for breakfast. We were told the homemade hash browns were a must-try. I still dream about the crunchy outside, fluffy inside hash browns. There were also fresh fruit, yogurt, and incredible pastries. For those who wanted to indulge, there was even a Bloody Mary station.
Le Manoir may be preparing for its next chapter, but there's still time to experience this timeless, chic, and magnificent grande dame. Raymond will be moving to the role of Founder and Lifetime Ambassador.
What do you think? Would you be tempted by the garden-to-plate philosophy? Have you ever experienced a meal that was truly unforgettable? Let me know in the comments!
