"We had a deal with a set menu and an overnight stay, We were taken to our room to settle in and told that when we were ready we could come down to the courtyard in front of the restaurant reception for pre-dinner drinks. After...dropping off our affairs and making ourselves comfortable we had a look around, and then sat down as invited to await whatever came next. Unfortunately, quite some time later, we were still waiting. Now and then, someone popped their head around the door to the restaurant and looked in our general direction, but it took almost half an hour before anyone actually realised that we needed looking after and then our drinks and nibbles swiftly arrived. Once seated, we were seemingly left to our own devices once again, as the waiting staff were busy seating and giving menus to the other tables as they arrived; as our menu was fixed, we had no need to choose anything, yet other tables that arrived after us were served drinks, wine and food before us. Once the food started to make its way to our table, it was of course excellent; finely executed, well balanced flavours, delicate textures and artfully presented: few kitchens can produce dishes of this quality. As good as the food was however, there were details to the experience that left us feeling, well, not exactly disappointed, as that would be too strong a word, but somehow feeling as if our expectations of experiencing gastronomic extravagance and impeccable service were not met."
