curlywurlyfi

Sazji, oh my god. that is hideous. what IS that? cow's nose? edited because photo didn't copy

We had a completely marvellous time. So nice to see everyone (Gary + Sarah, Bapi + Rosie). slacker + I arrived after many many hours in the car + were dying for a walk, but Andy the cheery chef appeared with a HUGE bowl of chips saying "these are the Heston Blumenthal style triple-cooked ones, I've just made a batch to try, would you mind...?" so that scotched any foolish notions of exercise. And anyway Westow was freezing, + pitch black. Gary did take us for a walk later armed with a torch so we could have the full 'it's like this down t'pit' experience. the pub is gorgeous. Big sit-in woodburning fireplace with settles, wooden chairs + tables, all charmingly mismatched, and the dining room is a gorgeous soft tealy blue, with silver cutlery - can't hide the profits, eh, Gary. Andy chef suggested giving us a little bit of all the starters + puddings on the menu, and mallard for all for main. we hesitated for approx one-tenth of a second. - black pudding hash brown with poached egg + hollandaise - tiny lardon + tomato salad - morsel of turbot on Jerusalem artichoke cubes with chanterelles - this was divine - foie gras in Yorkshire pudding with onion + wine gravy - lovely foie, sauce possibly a little too reduced? - roast mallard breast with Yorkshire sauce (Cumberland with jus stirred in), curly kale, roasted butternut squash with thyme. I was in vegetable heaven having just spent three entirely chlorophyll-free days in Paris. Scurvy was imminent. Sorry, Gary, for stealing the kale off your plate (you didn't notice!) My mallard had a real tang of fish (which can happen with wild duck) but others were luckier. Slacker did a certain amount of hoovering up. To finish, a plate of puddings - tiny piece of ginger parkin - HEAVENLY - much less dry than 'traditional' parkin; apple crumble souffle - nice idea but slightly hmmm in execution; apple crumble sorbet - very good; chocolate tart which was excellent - nice hit of salt too + fab thin pastry; and the generally acclaimed winner, blood orange creme brulee. We had wine but I don't remember that part - oops. And then we had a lock-in which involved Tesco Calvados; many pints of beer; 'oh yes let's have a bottle of champagne now that it's 2am'; hiding from Bapi; slacker pulling pints; a conversation with another guest whom I thought was Irish but in fact was just local; and Gary + Sarah's stunt cats who were going to bring us milk + tea on their backs in the morning. and a lash-up fry up in the morning, which saved the lives of many of the party. It's a really lovely pub, and the proprietors are pretty nice too Should be absolutely cracking when you get rid of those mingy portions Thanks for a great time.

"Many Treasures" - in other words, leftovers! Castellucio lentils with shallot; brown rice; roasted courgettes; green beans with parsley + garlic - all tossed with a little tomato + olive sauce + pinged in the microwave for a warm rice salad. Then, two cheap chocolates from the giant tin on the reception desk.

- prawn ceviche with limes + red chilli - salmon + cucumber mousse - crab mousse - crab with pink grapefruit + chicory + toasted hazelnuts - or, my parents' perennial favourite, tinned smoked mussels - vearrrrrrk

The best wedding (food-wise) that I went to was on the Isle of Wight in the summer, and started with champagne + crab sandwiches made by the bride's mother - normal size slices of brown bread, cut into quarters, for the home-made craggy look. Then a hog roast, and finally, at midnight after much dancing + jollity - a doughnut van. Genius!

Horton - I can't thank you enough for this suggestion - that is exactly what we did, the party was last night, we took over the whole place, and it was fantastic. Mieke is terrific, made lots of helpful suggestions, is charming (as are her staff - young, friendly, smily, polished), happy to be flexible at the last minute when we decided we should invite five extra people - at 6pm on the day of the party, no less - and Umberto's food was excellent. The canapes passed round with drinks prior included tempura sage leaves - gorgeous. Really interesting Italian with a twist. Lovely wine list too. And best of all, I came in under budget

People are mad. Radicchio is delicious! Favourite way is to cut it in thick (one-inch) slices through the whole thing, put the slabs on a baking tray, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, top with gorgonzola + grill (broil). yes it goes really weird colours, but mmm with crusty bread for the amazing juices (this is why you did it on a baking tray, remember??) In fact, I've got some less-than-fabulous Gorgonzola that needs using up.... hmmmm.

Bunch of mates over - one of those evenings where you invite two people, then another, and he says "can I bring my friend", and all of a sudden you are eight*. Fortunately had just bought several bottles of fantastic 2004 Madfish Riesling, so we had a couple of those with some Brindisa chorizo. Then chicken + butternut squash laksa - garlic, ginger, red chili + lemongrass whizzed to a paste, fried briefly to take the raw edge off the garlic, then simmered with tinned tomatoes, coconut milk, nam pla + a slab of very concentrated chicken stock from the freezer. Slid in some cubes of previously-roasted butternut squash to warm through; then cubes of chicken breast to poach in the liquid; then a bag of spinach till just wilted. Served over noodles, with extra chopped red chillies, lime wedges + chopped coriander to add at the diners' discretions. This was really good. And then, cheese-fest! A fantastic Vacherin (it + its spoon had to be pried out of my hands to let the other children have a turn) and some excellent Beaufort; disappointing Manchego + a Gorgonzola that tasted of Fairy Liquid - huh?? Celery + galetti [Maltese water biscuits] alongside, and marshmallows + orangettes to follow. * nine, if you count Canuck, Paul's gorgeous large + fluffy black + white malamute bitch, who was insanely excited to be in a fourth-floor flat with a low coffee table, whence she finished off the anchovy-stuffed olives while we were in the kitchen

put your fist inside a chunky coffee mug + bash away. Worked perfectly all through my university days!

Two slices wholemeal bread with pumpkin seeds, toasted. Two boiled eggs, mashed in a cup with a dot of butter + s+p. Glass of mandarin juice. Black coffee. Nothing outrageous, but I really relished the opportunity to have a proper breakfast at home mid-week instead of the usual at-my-desk scenario.

Fragata olives stuffed with anchovies (on the side of the tin: "They're Tastful!" - their spelling not mine) with a gin + tonic whilst the enormous cauliflower roasted. When nice + scorched, tossed it with rosemary, sultanas, toasted pine nuts, saffron, dried chili, garlic, olive oil, grated Parmesan + penne. Not at all beautiful, but delicious. I used chopped prunes last time I made this (no sultanas in the house) + they worked even better.

Pithiviers came up (and I use the phrase advisedly) in this thread in which I search for the truth behind the Jane Grigson recipe for a sweet pithiviers which can be interestingly varied by the addition of a roasted, minced pig's kidney. Nice.

actually, despite the name, this is made with golden syrup. As is treacle tart. Why is that? But treacle scones + treacle toffee are made with actual treacle.

I've bought it from Baker & Spice before - ring ahead to make sure they've got some - you have to buy (IIRC) four sheets at a time but hey, it's puff pastry, that's not a hardship.

I put my coffee grounds down the toilet - I fear the opposite of what you say is true - that in the narrow soil pipe from my kitchen sink, the grounds would clog the U-bend instantly. Whereas with the bigger soil pipe from the loo... whoosh, and away they go.

Gethin that's good news. Does Vinopolis sell Tanqueray 10 and Citadelle gins, by any chance?

My parents are in town this week, so I rounded up four of my dearest oldest friends to come for supper with them. Lemon + coriander olives to start with, with a glass of (slightly underwhelming) Capel Vale Riesling. I had meant to serve Jacquesson champagne but completely forgot! All the more for me, since it's still in the fridge. Then, osso buco. Fantastic veal shin from Lidgates, baked long + slow in a dash of white wine, strong chicken stock + tomatoes, and gremolata sprinkled over at the last minute. Plain white rice (I find risotto milanese too rich with the marrow) + steamed green beans. My Mum made the rice - even with Uncle Ben's mine comes out in a globby mass. Yay for mums. With this, a magnum of Chateau Soleil St Emilion 1998, which Dad had brought with him from Malta. Don't you love the EU? Then, cheeses, with galetti (Maltese water biscuits): Colston Basset stilton; Flower Marie; Vignotte; and Seriously Strong supermarket cheddar, which my parents love and can't get in Malta. And Dow's port. Next, apple + blackberry crumble. I had picked the blackberries on my friends' farm in Devon, and used brown sugar + porridge oats in the crumble topping. With single cream. I had leftovers of this for breakfast. Finally, to the sitting room, for coffee + Black Label + Thorntons continentals. I had this email from Chris this morning: "...despite many stairs* what a top evening last night. Have your parents been in an oxygen bubble for the last 15 years? Not only do they look younger than I remember but your Ma I'm sure has been through a complete makeover. They were on cracking form and so was the assembled company. Only one complaint - your father's refilling technique. I feel minging this morning so thanks to him for that." * I live in a fourth floor walk-up + Chris currently is on crutches

Daniel, that veal chop is exquisite. I'm cooking veal (osso buco) tonight but I have no hope that it will look like that.

I read this too quickly and thought you said 'macarooned in mid-winter'

Could you make caramelized apple ice cream? Maybe with creme fraiche or plain yoghurt instead of sweet milk custard? You could puree most of the toffee'd apples + leave a few smallish chunks so that even if they freeze a bit granular they're relatively small anyway. (edit: fixed quote)

I spotted this on Friday. It's on Hogarth Road, which is the little road just north of the ECR post office, and it's next door to a Thai supermarket. Called "No. 10 Restaurant" - wonder what street number it's at???

I wore jeans (but with a dress over the top, because I work in meejah), and was a fraction worried that I would be turned away.

Magnolia + I have just had a fantastic girls' lunch here today (and you can read that both ways - fantastic girls, and fantastic lunch ). We started with a glass of pink champagne at the bar - most welcome on what had been for me at least an utterly bloody morning. Then downstairs to our banquette. Brilliant - we could see the whole room - perfect for lunching ladies. Waiters came, waiters went - all unobtrusively - and one of them left some pre-amuses - salmon rillettes on a little wafter, and venison with honey/soy/sesame on a silver spoon - the latter particularly good. Maggie was given the menu with the prices ! After a brief look at what we couldn't afford, we went for the set menu for £44 per head - three courses plus coffee + PF, plus half bottle of wine + mineral water. After some horse-trading, M chose pigeon tourte with wild mushrooms then confit de cuisse de canard; I went for tian d'araignee de mer + provencal vegetables + oyster beignet, then lieu noir (pollock, apparently) with lentils + lardons. A challenge for the wine list, you'll agree. Because - bravely - we had decided to go off-roading into the real wine list. After a little discussion with the charming sommelier Frederic Monnoyer (Maggie please correct me if I've got his name wrong), we (well, Maggie + Frederic) chose a half bottle of Trimbach 83 (£43), and a half bottle of St Denis red (again, I will let my noble wine companion fill in the blanks. She wrote the names down, which is more than I did.) Tap water please. Oh, what is this on our plates! A fried breaded crevette in a little mound of guacamole! yum. Snarf. Bread, dip. Mmm. The Riesling. Oh, wow. Sorry, I am no wine critic, but I could have drunk this forever. Scented + sweet on the nose, dry + with nice acidity. The crab was lagged in the waferyest bit of aubergine, topped with some frisee. All white meat. Delicious. Pigeon tourte came with tiny weeny wild mushrooms scattered round + was super-rare minced pigeon. Lovely, but perhaps a little heavy. The lieu noir was translucent + tender - perhaps slightly too salty skin? - lots of butter in the lentils (surprise, not). Salsify too, + courgette ribbons hiding under the fish. Confit was nice but sadly not up to MobyP's standards - skin just not quite scrackly enough. Both dishes got a slosh of dark brown jus poured over after serving. (insert red wine here. It was really good.) M + I swapped plates half way through each course, which worked brilliantly, except that I wanted to eat all my fish, and that when I had had enough duck + there was a little left that M was going to finish, there was a tiny tussle with the waiter since we assumed he assumed we were done + was taking the plate away. Wrestle, wrestle. A bit undignified. Oh how we laughed. Michel Roux came up to say hello to M at this point, I think (I mean, he definitely said hello, I'm just not sure when). Long pause + then puddings. Cheese for M from the fabulous-smelling cheese trolley, and glaces + sorbets for me - which to my amazement also came on a trolley with lots of silver pots, for me to choose from. Coffee, vanilla, mango + mixed berries, thank you, all quenelled at the table. I also chose all M's cheese, "because I'm nearer the trolley so can see the labels better" (which she fell for ), steering her (not so) gently towards the ones I like. Roquefort, Epoisses, a chevre, and two others (memory blurry here sorry). At this point Frederic produced a bottle of pudding wine (have no idea what it was - from the Loire) - lovely - light, and somehow spicy - cloves? nutmeg? I was eating Roquefort like a woman possessed, meanwhile. Oh my god, it's quarter to four - how did that happen? Quick - coffee + petits fours. Lovely macarons + physalis dipped in caramel. Would we like a digestif from the giant trolley? Oh god no, please don't make me. And, er, finally, the bill. Super, super nicely of them, they comped us both our glasses of champagne, and the half-bottle of dessert wine. And, without us asking, because we had not had the half-bottle of wine that came with the set menu, they had reduced the set menu price from £44 to £35. Service included, we paid £184 for two. Which is expensive for lunch, maybe, but we had a truly fantastic time. At no point were we made to feel that we were inferior because we weren't suits, or because we were having the set menu. Indeed, our waiter (who must have been all of 12) was charm itself - they all were - the service was absolutely first class, and not at all stuffy. I loved it. And tottered out blinking into the sunshine at 4.30pm. Fantastic! When was the last time you had a three-and-a-half hour lunch on a weekday? I'm off home now to eat boiled spinach for my tea, and find the sackcloth + ashes (size large) for my Weightwatchers meeting on Monday.

Gary, are you offering?!!

I have somehow ended up the designated Entertainments Officer for my company, an outdoor advertising company based in Earl's Court. We had our Christmas party last year on the premises - magicians! caricaturists! roulette tables! karaoke! - and the employees have put their collective feet down and said 'we're not doing that rubbish again, we want proper dinner out in a restaurant and no importuning half way through the sea bass from some twat trying to make a dinosaur out of a balloon thank you.' So, seeing as it's already the end of September and there are only 90 days to Christmas *screams inside*, does anyone have any recommendations for suitable restaurants in London? Criteria: - we are about 50 people. So can be either taking over whole restaurant, or cordon off a bit of a big one - English, French or Italian food. I would love to see their faces if I suggested salt + pepper squid would be nice for Christmas - reasonable restaurant required but not high high end - for example in the past we've been to Vasco + Piero's, La Famiglia, Bluebird. Our budget is up to £200 a head - pref west London (office is in Earl's Court) or West End Does anyone have any gems I should know about? Thanks in advance. Fi