After hearing rave reviews and seeing stunning food photography on my foodie friend’s insta pages, a visit to Fourteen has been on my ‘Food Radar’ for quite some time. So, when I received a call from my editor informing me that my next assignment was here, I was thrilled to bits! Louise Moore and I went along - on my birthday, no less, and what a fabulous birthday treat it was!
WHAT WE ATE:
STARTERS
Beetroot Cured Gravadlax £13.00
Carpaccio of Smoked Duck £12.00
MAINS
Fish Pie £26.50
Braised Ox Cheeks £32.00
DESSERTS
Caramelised Fruit & Ice Cream £8.50
White & Dark Chocolate Torte £8.50
TOTAL £100.50
And how was it?
From the minute we arrived I sensed that we were about to embark on a special and memorable experience. After traveling skywards to the 14th floor in the elevator, we emerged into a space flooded with light, with panoramic views over Campbell Park and beyond.
The space is sectioned into 3 different areas. There is the bar itself with low comfortable seating, serving lighter lunch and food options, a beautiful private dining area and of course the elegant restaurant itself serving a seasonal A La Carte menu.
So, without further delay, let’s get onto the food!
STARTERS: My beetroot cured salmon gravadlax was drizzled with a creamy horseradish
dressing and a fresh salad of tangy slivers of apple, cucumber and rocket. Louise’s delectable smoked duck was superb and topped with salty pecorino shavings, plump blackberries and was dressed in olive oil and sherry vinegar. Both starters were generous, fresh and super tasty and we both remarked that actually just these alone would be enough for a light lunch.
MAINS: Beneath beautifully piped, creamed potatoes and gooey gruyere cheese were huge chunks of monkfish, smoked haddock, hake and juicy king prawns. I’ve had a few Fish Pies
in my time as a restaurant reviewer but I have to say that this was up there with the best. It was packed with seafood in the most delicious sauce and was hearty, heartwarming and very satisfying. Louise’s ox cheeks were melt-in-the-mouth tender and the fragrance of the truffle laced mash hit our noses before the plates hit the table. Divine! We loved the presentation of
this dish with its ‘bourguignon’ garnish of chestnut mushrooms and baby onions, slicked with a velvety Burgundy jus.
DESSERTS: My delicious caramelised apples, pears and walnuts, seasoned with a touch of
cinnamon, were drizzled with toffee sauce and served with vanilla seed flecked ice cream. Louise’s nicely balanced, marbled white and dark chocolate torte had a lovely ripple of raspberry running through it and a pleasing, chunky chocolate biscuit base. It was satisfyingly indulgent and very decadent. An excellent finale to an excellent dining experience.
What’s it like there?
I feel like it’s a very happy and serene place. Elegance, class, sophistication are all adjectives that spring to mind too. The panoramic views provide a stunning backdrop and you can’t help but feel relaxed as you sit back in the comfortable plush velvet chairs as you dine looking out at the vistas across Bucks and Beds, no matter what the weather.
Most new restaurants launched in recent years have all succumbed to decoration to attract the ‘instagram influencer’. I think we have all had our fill of the overabundance of fake flowers and neon, which, let’s face it, became passe about a year or so ago. At Fourteen whilst there was a hint of blossom to soften the edges, their interior design crew, thankfully, haven’t fallen into this
trap - they have let the views do the talking - and rightly so. What did catch my eye is the warm glass globe lighting throughout and of course, there is nothing more beautiful than a nicely set table with crisp, gleaming white table cloths and napkins, sparkling glassware and polished cutlery.
The service was also exceptional. Well trained, very smart staff introduced themselves, (which I think is always a nice touch - I like to know the names of people serving me) answered any questions we had knowledgeably and were just professional throughout.
What you should know
The menu changes seasonally at Fourteen to accommodate British classic/contemporary dishes made with excellent produce from our fair isle. I have just taken a look at the new Spring offering and I can tell you that I will be back very soon to sample some. There’s a Whole Baked Stuffed Sea Bass dish that has caught my eye and has definitely got my name on, along with the Dijon and Herb Crusted Saddle of Lamb to share.
Within the less formal Sky Bar itself, the Lounge Menu also has a great selection of dishes that will please all with price points to match. Expect to pay £14 for a Club Sandwich and around £19 for a burger or something from the ‘Large Plates’. If you just fancy something light there are a number of ‘Small Plates’ starting at just £5.50.
Cocktails and Mocktails are also executed to perfection here. I enjoyed a refreshing, tangy Passion Fruit Cooler mocktail aperitif that made a nice change from the usually sweet mocktails that you find on offer elsewhere. Expect to pay between £5 (Shooters) to £14 for cocktails, with mocktails coming in at £8 - £12.
The Private Dining room is also a bit special too, with dusky pink velvet seating for 18 guests, tasteful artwork and of course THOSE VIEWS - it really is a continuation of the theme of a definite nod to stylish sophistication. Available for any occasion, the team is able to work with you, the host, to create a memorable event for you and your guests.
Would we go back?
My first experience was a real treat, from the excellent food, professional slick service, sophisticated decor and of course, the panoramic views. So based on this, yes, we absolutely WILL be returning to Fourteen, however, next time I’d like to experience a sunset dining experience instead and watch the cityscape transition into a glittering sea of pretty lights. I feel that would be very romantic and special.
Going forward though, should I have any meeting in the centre of MK I shall be suggesting the Sky Bar as a meeting place too. (I’m keen to try some of the dishes on the Lounge Menu soon.)
Fourteen is a very welcome addition to the restaurant scene in MK and has raised the game literally and figuratively speaking, so, because of this, they deserve to have soared to the top of my list of ‘Favourite Fine Dining Restaurants in MK!’
Fourteen @ Hotel La Tour
400 Marlborough Gate
Milton Keynes
MK9 3FP
T: 01908 732400
I: skybarfourteen
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