Food & Drink New entry
£175 FOR A 12-YEAR-OLD’S DINNER?
Harriet is finally old enough for The Dining Room at Whatley Manor. Georgie isn’t. Dad’s wallet would like a word.
Harriet wanted to find one of the most ridiculously expensive dinners in the Cotswolds. She found The Dining Room at Whatley Manor, where the nine-course tasting menu costs £175 per person. Then we discovered something even better. You have to be 12 or over to dine there. Harriet is 12. So she has quite literally just become old enough for Dad to spend £175 on her dinner. Georgie is 10, which means she isn’t allowed in yet. The Dining Room has a Michelin star and the experience isn’t simply sitting down and ordering dinner. It begins in the Drawing Room and includes a visit to the kitchen to meet Executive Chef Ricki Weston. And then there are nine courses. At £175, that works out at roughly £19.44 per course. Dad has therefore established one important rule: Harriet is eating everything. Every course. Every garnish. Every tiny leaf placed artistically on the plate. Meanwhile, Georgie has already developed a considerably cheaper alternative. Chips.
Why it's ridiculous
Because Harriet has only just become old enough to eat there and her dinner already costs £175. That's £19.44 for every one of the nine courses before Dad starts adding anything else to the evening. The really ridiculous part? In two years Georgie will be old enough too. Dad is currently refusing to calculate what that dinner is going to cost.
Dad's verdict
76
To be fair, I actually don't think its that bad compared to some places at that level in other countries. Although not sure a 12 year old would get it. So actually it is ridiculous
Harriet's verdict
85
too many course and too posh for what I wanted
Georgie's verdict
—
No comment on the record.
Harriet has finally turned 12. Apparently that means she’s now old enough for a £175 dinner.
Ridiculous or understandable?
The five questions we all have to answer.
Dad
RidiculousBest thing about it
Great food
Worst thing about it
but a 12 year old is not going to get t
What I'd actually pay
175
If someone handed me the cash, would I buy it at full price?
Yes — I'd buy it
Harriet
RidiculousBest thing about it
Nice place, good service
Worst thing about it
Not really what I would want
What I'd actually pay
Daddy is paying
If someone handed me the cash, would I buy it at full price?
Maybe
Your verdict