To celebrate the 21^st birthday of Selina, and Steve’s up coming 50^th birthday, the Blasdale family went out for a meal.  That is Selina, Graham, Rosemary and Steve went for a meal at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.  Edgcott Taxis delivered us to the door for 7.30.

Selina looked pretty in her lovely pink skirt with the white top and pink panels.  She had black shoes (posh suedette sandals with closed toes) and a black and silver sparkly scarf round her waist as a belt so the blackness of the shoes was not quite so striking.

They were ushered out into the garden for and a tray of hors d’oueves (sadly only 2 each of 5 flavors so they had to share). The flavors were:

• Risotto ball
• Bacon and cheese tartlet
• Green spinach puree on thin toast
• Chicken satay stick
• Salmon and caviar on a potato base

While they were choosing from the menu, sitting out in the warm September evening, Graham and Rosemary took a short walk around the garden.  They saw all the fat ducks and the immaculate vegetable gardens.

After a while they placed their order for the seven-course menu gourmand and were later called in when their table was ready.  They were seated by the waitress, asked if they wanted the wine they had ordered (which was poured by the wine waiter who kept their glasses constantly topped up.  The wine was not kept on the table!) The waitress brought round bread rolls of various flavors:

• Beer bread,
• French bread,
• Bacon bread,
• Raisin and nut bread
• Olive Bread

An appetizer was served, guacamole in a slight tower shape, with a mixture of puréed avocado and lumps of avocado, topped with crabmeat and a garnish of reduced balsamic vinegar.

The first starter was fois gras with sour toasted bread, some leaves that had been coated with something that made them a little more bulky than leaves, and gave then a crunch when bitten.  Final garnish of sour cherry pickled in alcohol.

The second starter were panned fried sweet breads, minute mushrooms, almonds and cauliflower puree.

The fish course was Brill on fennel with green beans.

The Meat course was medium rare duck with a towered potato, French beans and redcurrant jus.  The potato was partially fried/roasted I think.

First sweet was exotic fruit soup with mango sorbet.

Second sweet was tiramisu (DELICIOUS!) with a latticework of chocolate strands.

Next was coffee in the lounge.  Selina had tea  The wine waiter followed them into the lounge with the remains of the second bottle of wine.  The lounge was very posh.  You should have seen the waiters plump up the cushions when a guest left.  With coffee there was at a tiered tray of sweets (again only 2 of each type, but everyone else was so full only Steve and Selina ate them all!).

• A mini chocolate coated mint ice-cream,
• Tiny éclair with pink icing,
• Dark chocolate on a thin pastry base,
• Mini bake well tart,
• Tiny VERY rich chocolate truffle type thing,
• Fruit jelly square (very sharp),
• Piece of nougat with bits in

During the meal Geri Halliwell walked by within inches of Steve, wearing what could only be described a belt.  Unfortunately Selina and Steve with their backs to her missed the event and can only take the word of Graham and Rosemary.  Not sure if there were any other famous people that that evening.  There was a large Bentley and chauffeur waiting at door as the Blasdale family left.

At eleven Edgcott taxis came and whisked the party away.  They had a very nice evening, which is well worth repeating.  The staff were very attentive, but not overbearing. Each course was described briefly.  The service was immaculate. The surroundings were beautiful