Feast at Cloud 9 at The Grove Hotel review

Feast Events have done it again this summer with the return of the breathtaking Feast at Cloud 9. You can enjoy a nine-course Feast tasting menu served in private wicker dining baskets beneath stunning hot air balloons tethered in gardens of The Grove Hotel.

Each hot air balloon basket holds tables for four or six people set in vintage-style wicker dining baskets. They’ll be set around The Grove’s Formal Garden, the elegantly landscaped space just beyond The Glasshouse terrace, with its iconic ornamental canal and artwork-lined paths. They also now offer bookings for 2.

A full bar will also be available so that guests can purchase wine, cocktails and other drinks of their choice to enjoy alongside their meal. Dress code is smart-casual, and each wicker basket will be heated (and the balloons are under a transparent roof for cover), but guests are advised to dress accordingly for an outdoor event. There is ample parking on site and disabled access. Feast can also accommodate with special requests such as disabled parking, or to arrange a cake for a special celebration.

They don’t serve halal food and they very kindly explained that they wouldn’t want to risk cross contamination either. So with that, we opted for a 9 course vegetarian menu and let me tell you, I’ve never tasted anything like it!

Tasting Menu

Cloud 9 Snacks – served at the table to enjoy with your welcome drink (V) (VG)

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Tart of Cornish crab and Exmoor caviar, cucumber, crème fraiche
Avocado and cucumber tart, citrus caviar, crème fraiche (V)
Avocado and cucumber tartar, citrus caviar (VG)

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Essence of tomato, heritage tomato salad, black garlic, edible cloud (V) (VG)

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Terrine of free-range chicken and artichokes, tarragon emulsion
Terrine of summer vegetables, tarragon emulsion (V) (VG)

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Lobster en croute, fennel and cucumber ceviche, lobster bisque
Spinach, courgette and goats cheese pithivier, fennel and cucumber ceviche, fennel cream (V)
Spinach and courgette pithivier, fennel and cucumber ceviche,
fennel and basil dressing (VG)

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Rossini-style fillet of beef, truffle mash potato, chicken liver parfait,
roasted shallot, truffle jus
Roast aubergine fillet, truffle mashed potato, wild mushroom, artichoke hearts, roasted shallots,
onion jus (V)
Roast aubergine fillet, truffle vegan mashed potato, wild mushroom, artichoke hearts,
roasted shallots, onion jus (VG)

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Strawberry Pavlova cloud (V)
Strawberry soup, macerated strawberries (VG)

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Lemon mousse, lemon marmalade, chocolate shell (V)
Vegan lemon mousse, textures of lemon, vegan chocolate (VG)

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Coffee and petit four (V) (VG

And if the English weather doesn’t play ball? Feast on Cloud 9 have got your covered (literally!) with a back-up secret covered dining area that’s equally magical so you can enjoy the experience rain free!

Got a big celebration this summer? You can take over the whole thing and go uber VIP, filling the baskets with friends and family for the ultimate party to remember (just email info@feast-events.com for exclusive hire).

When: 9 June – 3 September 2023
Where: The Grove Hotel
Book tickets: Feast on Cloud 9 | Immersive Dining in Hertfordshire | The Grove