Reviews

The First Restaurant Tour Hits The Hub in Milton Keynes and it's a Big Hit with us🍴

A simple culinary concept: One afternoon, 6 restaurants, 6 dishes, 6 drinks and great conversations. We LOVED our first Restaurant Tour! 💞
Joanne McClaren

On Sunday 6th October, I had the pleasure of experiencing Milton Keynes' inaugural restaurant tour, an innovative idea that incorporates eating, drinking and socialising. When I was offered the chance to review the first one in MK, well of course I jumped at the chance.

The Restaurant Tour business concept revolves around offering curated culinary experiences that allow food enthusiasts to explore various dining establishments within a single outing. This immersive experience not only highlights diverse cuisines but also fosters community engagement by promoting local eateries. Ideal for tourists and locals alike, Restaurant Tours enhance the dining experience, transforming a simple meal into a social event that celebrates the culinary landscape of a city.

Having already garnered success in cities like Bristol, Birmingham, and Liverpool, this culinary adventure promised to be a treat. The concept was simple yet delightful: one Sunday afternoon, six restaurants, six dishes, six glasses of wine (soft drink alternatives are available), and an app to guide us along the way.

Booking the Restaurant Tour was incredibly easy, thanks to the user-friendly app that streamlined the entire process. Participants simply download the app to access their tickets, which could be scanned at each business along the route. The app also allowed users to customise their experience by selecting their preferred starting and ending locations, making it convenient for everyone involved. Additionally, it offered an option to input any dietary requirements ahead of time, ensuring that all guests could fully enjoy their culinary adventure without any concerns. Overall, the app enhanced the experience, making it seamless and tailored to individual needs.

I enlisted my husband for the afternoon’s escape from parenting, found a willing friend to entertain our son, and off we went to explore the vibrant dining scene at The Hub. This area is a hotspot in Milton Keynes City Centre dedicated to dining & drinking, and with nearby hotels those wishing to extend their stay to explore the rest of the city, can find a place to stay easily.

French Toast at Fabrice
Charcuterie at Veeno
Chilli Chicken at Maaya
Sweet Fried Chicken at Blossom Room
Pork Ribs at The Oligarch
Pollo Picante at The Oligarch
Lemon Tart and Pastry at Moxy
1/7

Our first stop was

Fabrice, where we were welcomed by a warm, inviting atmosphere. The place is beautifully decorated and has some great spots for those Instagram photos. Renowned by locals as the ‘go to’ place for breakfasts it was great to see how busy they were, and the atmosphere was buzzing. We were served a sweet French toast/brioche style dessert with a drizzle of honey and a small serving of fruit. The options for a drink included either a smoothie or glass of wine. Fabrice had designated an area to The Restaurant Tour which involved sharing a table; it was so nice to join a couple who had lived in Milton Keynes most of their lives who went on to share with us that they had not been out much in the city since covid and saw this as a perfect opportunity to head out once again. They spotted the event on Facebook and jumped at the chance to discover what was on offer.

Next, we ventured to

Veeno, an Italian wine café/restaurant that offered a charming selection of wines paired with delectable antipasti. The friendly staff made the experience even more enjoyable as we sampled a fantastic glass of wine from Sicily, that transported us straight to Italy. Known for their huge antipasti sharing platters, it was nice to be served a sample of what you could have if you returned; a must return, as far as my cheese loving husband is concerned. Veeno has been decorated to ensure you feel warm and cosy, with ambient lighting and soft tones, we could have quite easily stay there for hours!

Then it was on to

Maaya, a vibrant, beautifully decorated establishment, with stunning pieces of artwork on the walls by a local artist Luke McDonnell. This restaurant is known for its Asian fusion cuisine and delicious curry’s. We were served a spicy chilli chicken with again a choice of red, white or rose wine. The flavours were bold and exciting and complimented the wine perfectly. It was one of the highlights of the tour, showcasing the culinary creativity that Milton Keynes has to offer. I tasted their Christmas menu (https://maayamiltonkeynes.com/christmas-menu/) a couple of weeks ago and the flavours and choice were incredible. Highly recommend trying this restaurant between now and the next Restaurant Tour!

Fabrice Restaurant Bar & Grill
Interior of Veeno
Maaya
1/3

Afterward, we headed to the

Blossom Room, where the ambiance was a little livelier. This bar/restaurant is a must-visit if you love to grab those Instagram moments. The ceiling is adorned with pink blossoms, and at the entrance, you'll find stunning angel wings—perfect for snapping that 'gram-worthy shot' to show you were at the ultimate hotspot. Another glass of perfectly chilled wine and a tasty, well-presented chicken dish with the most incredible dip to accompany it, saw our fourth spot completed and we left feeling satisfied and well looked after.

Our fifth stop,

The Oligarch, provided a luxurious touch to the tour. This upscale venue offered exquisite dishes that perfectly blended elegance and flavour, leaving us feeling truly pampered. There was a little wait here, due to the cross over of people in the middle, but once we seated, we were offered a choice of four dishes, one being a vegetarian option. My husband and I chose the pork ribs, which were served alongside chips and a side salad, all beautifully presented. The wine was again, superb. The seats were super plush and comfortable, so we stayed here for a while as we had met another lovely couple along the way which we enjoyed getting to know. I never realised this tour would be such a great opportunity to meet new people.

Finally, we concluded our culinary adventure at

Moxy, a trendy hotel bar that wrapped up our tour on a high note. The lively atmosphere and quirky decor made it a fantastic place to relax and reflect on our delicious journey. The host took us, (and our newfound friends we had met along the way), to a table and served a zesty sweet treat to finish off our culinary journey. It was sweet mix of fresh lemon, a soft pastry and a tangy raspberry coulis, which cleansed the palate perfectly. This was served alongside a fizzy lemon spritz. The staff at Moxy were exceptionally friendly, and considering they were the last stop for all the participants, they served everyone with a smile, ensuring a warm and welcoming conclusion to the tour.

Blossom Room
Interior of The Oligarch
Interior of Moxy
1/3

Overall, this restaurant tour was a delightful way to experience the culinary delights of The Hub in Milton Keynes. With a perfect blend of independent eateries and trendy venues, it showcased the diverse food scene in our city. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to explore local flavours while enjoying a leisurely afternoon with friends, loved ones and in our case complete strangers. I can't wait to see what the next tour will bring, which I hear along the grapevine will be coming early next year!

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