There is always this black and white cat hanging around the neighbourhood, especially in the carpark. It once taunted (and humiliated) Ashlee by sitting on top of the garden fence whilst Ashlee jumped and barked at him with utter frustration as he was beyond her reach.

This morning, we opened the backgate that leads to the car park and Ashlee uncharacteristically dashed to a corner of the carpark. The black and white cat was there. Ashlee chased him round the carpark and the poor cat had to seek refuge under a car.

That will teach him to show Ashlee some respect in the future…

Went to The Fat Duck last Saturday for our 2nd anniversary. We were planning to go to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay but decided to go the "the second best restaurant in the world" instead.

We had to call up to make a booking exactly two months in advance. David and I were trying to call in using three phones at the same time and yet we didn't get through until 45 minutes later... gosh.

David had to drive 1.5hrs to take us to Bray in Berkshire where The Fat Duck is. A nice quaint little village. Nothing much going on though.

The Fat Duck looks rather small - low ceiling with beams. After some olives, we made our order. I had the Lasagne of Langoustine with pig's trotter and truffle for starters. I couldn't taste the trotter at all, but this is one of the best dishes I've ever tasted in my life. David had Radish Ravioli of Oyster with Goats cheese and truffle, rissole of fromage de tête (pig cheeks). Think I definitely made the better choice! hehe...

For mains, we both had venison. It was nice, but I didn't really get into it till I was half way through the course. It came with barley in red wine (don't worry, I didn't get drunk on that!). And after they cleared the plate, they came back with "venison tea" served in laboratory apparatus - double-layered round bottom flask and beaker on a wooden block. Very odd but interesting...

I had delice of chocolate and David had chocolate fondant for desserts. The base of my chocolate sorbet is made with Space Dust like stuff and it was a nice surprise when it started popping in my mouth. Taste-wise, it was not as good as Claridge's chocolate fondant but it was definitely fun! David's dessert came with a spicy harissa ice cream, again weird but this time, according to David, it didn't really work for him.

I had the most expensive earl grey tea ever (£5.50!) and it was horrible. I thought I wasn't going to spend £12+ for some Chinese tea on the menu and went for the safer option but it was way too strong and I left it after a sip.

Was the meal worth the two-month booking, 1.5hr drive (each way), and a big hefty bill? Well, I guess we were paying for the experience as well. All in all, I would say, probably.

In fact, David and I have agreed that we would go back next year to try the Tasting Menu - what The Fat Duck is actually renowned for. Hmm... something to look forward to. Yum...

Or maybe El Bulli?

(Oh, did I mention that Wu Yong Wei and husband and friends were sitting two tables away from us? Hehe, no I didn't ask for an autograph.)