10 things nobody tells you about dining at Michelin star restaurants including how to pay less

Woven by Adam Smith
-Credit: (Image: Laura Nightingale)


A Michelin star is given to the crème de la crème of restaurants, and Surrey is lucky enough to have three: Sorrel in Dorking, Latymer in Bagshot and The Tudor Pass in Egham. But sitting on the cusp of the county, and in fact a mere 10-minutes drive from Windlesham, is a restaurant with not only a dazzling star, but a whopping five AA Rosettes under its belt.

This autumn, Woven by Adam Smith in Sunninghill was prized this outstanding award, and is now one of just 16 other restaurants in the UK to hold five Rosettes. Headed up by the truly talented executive chef Adam Smith, it is one of the best restaurants in the country and as you would expect, dining there is pretty special.

But what can diners expect at such an impressive fine dining, award-winning spot? A ludicrously high food bill, small portions and leaving hungry? Having dined at the prestigious spot, I can tell you some truths about eating at a Michelin starred restaurant, and some things may surprise you.

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Woven by Adam Smith is situated within the super swanky five star Coworth Park and if you've not heard of the hotel before, let alone been there, it can be found at the bottom of a beautiful sweeping driveway opposite Virginia Water lake off the A30 London Road.

It's especially stunning at this time of year with a glorious backdrop of orange, yellow and red hues, and on a sunny afternoon, guests are treated to a gorgeous glow of autumn sunshine flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room.

Woven by Adam Smith
Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park -Credit:Coworth Park

Inspired by the seasons, each dish on the menu tells a story, featuring familiar flavours reimagined in unexpected ways, combining the classics with modern touches and layers of personal experience. There is a lunch and dinner tasting menu available to choose from, which brings me to my first point.

1. Lunch is cheaper

There is no doubt about it, dining at Woven by Adam Smith is a rare treat, but you can save yourself some money and still enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Michelin star experience if you opt for lunch instead of dinner. Lunch there costs £95 per person, compared to dinner at £165 per head.

2. Expect to be there for around three hours

It may be an extravagant affair, but it won't be over in a flash. Diners are invited on a culinary journey, with the experience lasting around three hours. The table is yours for the afternoon or evening and you won't feel rushed or hurried for the table to be tuned around for the next customer.

3. Not just for adults

A fine dining restaurant may be the last place you'll want to take a child to, but Woven actually allows youngsters aged eight and above for dinner, and all ages for lunch. It may be a plush, elegant venue, however it has a relaxed, accommodating vibe.

In fact, the hotel in general is family-friendly. As a rural location, children can roam freely and safely around the spacious grounds - 240 acres exact. From family swims and seasonal craft workshops and treasure hunts, to a dedicated kids club, bike rides, equestrian lessons and thrilling falconry experiences.

Woven by Adam Smith
The bread course at Woven by Adam Smith is amazing -Credit:Laura Nightingale

4. No salt or pepper on the table

Chef Smith's dishes are nothing but perfection, so there is no need to season your own food. And definitely don't expect a bottle of ketchup or mayonnaise to be in sight either.

5. There is a lot of food

Most Michelin star restaurants offer a tasting menu to showcase the chef's incredible cookery skills. They consist of a number of impeccably executed small dishes jam-packed with flavour, creativity and talent.

There is often a fish, meat, cheese and pastry course. The portion sizes may be petite, but the amount of food you will get through during your experience is colossal, and trust me, you will not leave hungry.

The meal starts with various 'snacks', ends with decadent petit fours and features a bread course consisting of a huge basket of different homemade breads with a selection of oils and butters. At Woven, the warm breads include am ultra crispy cheese croissant, moist dark rye bread, sweet honeyed brioche, seeded crackers and fluffy sourdough.

Plus, all of the ingredients are of the highest quality and the food is rich, satisfying both your taste-buds and your tummy.

6. Mini dustpan and brush

Not every Michelin star restaurant has crisp white table cloths, but whether they do or not, you can expect the staff to keep your table clean for the duration of your stay. You'll often see them using a mini dustpan and brush to pick up loose crumbs, especially after the exciting bread course.

7. Folding your napkin if you go to the bathroom

Similarly, your table will be kept nice and tidy if you pop to the loo. Your napkin will be folded neatly ready for your return. Oh and did I mention, at Woven you get a stool for your handbag?!

8. The lingo

Even if you've been to a lot of fine dining restaurants in the past, it's almost certain you will come across a few words you've never heard of before. Amuse bouche anyone?

You will also get to try some ingredients unlikely to be found in your local supermarket. On the current menu at Woven, there is Golden Oscietra (an expensive caviar) and Sudachi (a small, round, green citrus fruit of Japanese origin).

Woven by Adam Smith
Dessert: Russet apple made with puff pastry, vanilla and caramel -Credit:Laura Nightingale

9. Palate cleanser and pre-dessert

Even if the tasting menu says it features five courses, it will actually include more. The high end restaurant will present guests with a palate cleanser or pre-dessert before the main pudding arrives.

10. Wine flight

And finally, a wine flight is a selection of wines that are chosen to go with each dish of the tasting menu. Picked and poured by an enthusiastic and passionate sommelier, diners can opt for this extra experience for an additional charge. At Woven, the lunch wine flight costs £75 and the dinner wine flight costs £110.

The wines vary in producer, region, variety and type of wine, and the sommelier will provide a story behind each one and why it has been chosen to accompany a particular dish. The personalised experience may feature a few surprises too, as you'll discover at Woven.

Contrary to popular belief, dining at a Michelin starred restaurant is not as stuffy, scary or intimidating as you might assume. The soft and classic décor at Woven alongside the friendly, welcoming staff, will make you feel at home (even if the food is nothing like what you would cook for your family).

On achieving five AA Rosettes, Chef Smith, said: "Being awarded five AA Rosettes is a huge honour. Every day we strive to offer our guests the best possible experience, continually pushing ourselves in terms of creativity, precision, service, innovation, and most importantly, delicious cooking.

"Being awarded five AA Rosettes two years after opening the restaurant is an incredible achievement and is testament to the dedication and commitment of the entire team at Woven by Adam Smith.”

Woven by Adam Smith
Petit fours to round of your dining experience at Woven by Adam Smith -Credit:Laura Nightingale

How to book at table at Woven by Adam Smith

  • Address: Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7SE.

  • Parking: Large, free car park on site.

  • Book: Call the hotel on 01344 876 600 or visit dorchestercollection.com/ascot/coworth-park/dining/woven-by-adam-smith.

  • Opening times: Lunch Friday to Sunday 12.30pm to 2.30pm and dinner Wednesday to Saturday 6.30pm to 9pm.

  • Dress code: Smart casual.

  • Guests: Ages 8 and up for dinner, and all ages for lunch.

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