Langdon Hall Dinner - latest update anyone?!

[Charles Yu]

Have made reservation for next Saturday. Hope food is worth the drive! Need feedback from fellow chowhounders for guidance regarding whether to go a la carte or tasting menu?! Are the food portion for the $95 tasting menu adequate and filling enough or should I upgrade to the 7 courses?
Thx!!

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Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R8, Canada

[peppermint pate]

Bumping this thread - looking for a cozy winter getaway with great food (on-site or nearby) for an overnight stay, ideally within a 2 hour drive of Toronto. Haven't been to Langdon Hall in about 5 years but loved it back then - still a good option? Charles, did you ever report on your dinner there? Alternatives?

[jlunar]

I recall Charles did post about his trip with a very un-glowy report... It's somewhere.

[Charles Yu]

I posted my dinner there with photos! OK but lacking the 'Wow' factor! Most R&C I've tried in France have better food!

[Poorboy]

Langdon Hall Dining Room & Terrace was awarded the only CAA/AAA 5 Diamond Award for Ontario this evening at the CAA Gala I attended this evening.
There were some notable 4 Diamond Awards and many that were not on that list.

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Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R8, Canada

[miranda]

Canada has 17 Relais & Chateaux designations across the country I have been to Langdon Hall I've been to a total of 6 Relais & Chateaux so far Langdon Hall is last place on my list The Inn at Manitou the only other Ontario R & C is much preferred BC Alberta and Quebec have fab places as well Bon Appetite you're sure to have a fine feast Miranda

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Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R8, Canada

[Charles Yu]

When I was living and working in Paris a while back, ALL Relais and Chateaux I visited have at least a couple of Michelin stars. Some fine examples include Les Ambassadeurs inside the Crillon, Le Grand Vefour, Michel Bras, Michel Rostang, L'Esperance, Lameloise, Maison Troigros...etc If Langdon Hall can replicate even 'half' of the experience, I'll be more than happy!!

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Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R8, Canada

[miranda]

Completely agree R&C's in Europe (France,Suisse) are stellar in comparison with LH but then once you've sampled the best you become jaded Miranda

[graydyn]

Was it just the food that you preferred at The Inn at Manitou? Or were you referring to the whole experience?

[miranda]

The Inn at Manitou the whole experience Food ,Service,Atmosphere Everything Miranda

[graydyn]

Thanks for the tip, I've been thinking about taking that trip anyways.
I've only been to one R&C place other than LH, an inn called Blackberry Farm in the USA. I've been trying to find something similar in Canada but haven't had much hope.

[Snarf]

I would categorically advise against the trip to the Inn at Manitou right now. Despite the many glowing reviews here, the R&C status and the diamond awards that in my many years of dining at fine dining, michelin starred, out of the way, and guerilla food experiences that they are not serving anything worth the trip right now. Might have something to do with the bankruptcy and closure....

[graydyn]

Ha! I guess that could put a damper on the experience. Maybe I can just squat in one of the rooms and roast hot dogs. Gourmet hot dogs, of course.

[Mitzimouse]

I have always found the food there outstanding. I went with hubby for his b-day a couple of yrs back and it was sublime. I always love a cheese course and they never disappoint in that regard. I love that they grow a lot of their own produce on the premises and work w/ local providers.

I would go for the 7 course. As a professional foodie, I'd rather be stuffed than starved.

Funnily enough, I am going there Thursday morning for work and we are all staying overnight. My taste buds are already doing the happy dance in my mouth.

Langdon Hall has the Chateau Relais designation, the only inn in Canada to do so. This highly regarded European bestowement says it all! Enjoy Charles!

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Langdon Hall
1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R8, Canada

[graydyn]

Unless things have changed since I last went, the two additional courses are a cheese course and an extra dessert. So you may want to take that into consideration.
The cheese course was great, basically a giant slab of very high quality moz. Also the cost difference between the 5 and 7 was really small. ($20-30 if I'm remembering right?)
You've made a good choice for a replacement for David Lee's Splendido, they were pretty similar IMO. I've even had two versions of the same dish at both places, the chilled sweet pea soup with crab meat.
A quick warning, although wine prices are fine, the bar is a bit of a gouge. I had an 18 dollar martini there once.

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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

[froglegs]

I went there this past summer and the food was delicious! I ordered a la carte. Ontario lamb dish, so tender!
Interesting choice for a men's only birthday bash! Have you been? Strikes me as a rather romantic weekend getaway place.
Still, the place is fabulous, food and wine are worth the drive!
Have fun!

[Charles Yu]

We picked the place based on only 3 criterias. Food, Wine and Service! Trying to duplicate our normally 'go-to' place - 'Old' Splendido.

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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

[bluedog]

Charles,

I entertained clients there recently and really liked the place. The clients wanted to order a la carte so that's what we did. The food was uniformly excellent and the wine list was superb. Looking forward to what you think of it but I think you;ll enjoy it even though its been slammed a few times on this board.

[downtownfoodie]

Did the tasting menu there back in June and I would upgrade to the 7. I had just come from a soccer tournament so I was pretty hungry but if you're a big eater you might be a left a little hungry with the smaller version. Good news is that the food was great. Very traditional french but everything executed well. Very knowledgeable sommelier and professional service. If it's warm enough, have dessert on the patio.

[Charles Yu]

Many Thanks! Will report back!
With the 'old' Splendido gone, in need of something fancy!

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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

[Snarf]

Are you staying over? There are numerous nuances you could receive as a guest that can enhance the experience.

[Charles Yu]

Nope! I'm afraid Its a men only birthday bash not a second honeymoon!
Though they haven't posted the tasting menu on their website yet. However, I hope they have elk in their tasting menu that night!! Lastly, if their tasting menu is 80% of the ones I had prepared by David Lee of Old Splendido a couple of years ago for my birthday, I'll be more than happy!!

[haggisdragon]

What sorts of nuances Snarf?