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Excellent and informative post Marlena. But the problem is not cnfined to the UK. Going 'Mexican' seems to be the mode in Germany and (!) in Italy. But these are basically 'how many tequila slammers you can drink in an hour' kind of places. Having said that it's not great in the US either! Yes, I agree, there are excellent restaurants there but you really have to look for them, which is why I put the little tip about 'mole poblano' being on the menu. Considering the vast size of the States there are relatively few that have 'real' Mexican food. You sound a real connisseur Marlena so let us know when you find your valhalla in Europe. A few tips in the US of the very best would not be amiss either.

Wonderful post Bill. I've already pencilled it in for my next trip to Piemonte. Thanks - your worth every cent that Fat Guy pays you!

'Mole' sauce - that's the key to a good Mexican restaurants and differentiates it from Tex-Mex. Mole Poblano is chicken in chocolate sauce would you believe and it's very tasty and spicey. Think about it - chocolate is NOT sweet in it's original form, it's bitter and sperb in a sauce. Amazingly they do a great, and authentic, Mole Poblano in the Mexican Restaurant in Epcot at Disney World!

Sorry, I just realised it was Sunday Brunch and not breakfast! Well, it's got to be the Dorchester then - amazing roasts and even more amazing tradional English puddings (including trifle and bread and butter pud) - and it's unlimited (have you ever seen a little guy crying as he eats five puddings!).

There's a great article in the current issue of Restaurant (I'm sorry I don't have the link) about the best breakfast in the uk. Yes, it definately recommends Simpsons-in-the-Strand but it turns out that the Best British Breakfast can be had in.................. Glasgow................... at the Ubiquitous Chip - I will admit that a breakfast in Scotland is memorable what with wonderful black pudding and Marag Gheal (one of my favourites - served like black pudding but made of suet and currants yet savory).

Try to get a decent bottle of French wine in Italy!

I'm sorry Tarka, I didn't realise that he gave Petrus 5 stars before. Gill has a bit of a reputation (on this board at least) of trashing restaurants. Please post your thoughts when you go - I might even go before you! If so I'll let yu know. My point really is that I am absolutely 100% sure that it's a wonderful restaurant but is it a wonderful set lunch for £25 as it seems such great value?

According to Gill's review yesterday in the ST (he gave Petrus 5 stars would you believe!) they do a very good 3-course lunch for £25 which seems very cheap. Anybody tried it?

Interesting points - and I agree with both - the problem with the Pera Palace is it is, as you say, quite a place (Agatha Christie wrote one of her novels there) and worth viting if only for afternoon tea but I think it's quite expensive (although that is relative). The Ayasofya is also excellent but, again, on the pricey side. The problem is that Istanbul, in real terms, is split into two areas: the 'old' area with Topkapi. the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazzar etc and the 'center' area with the Pera Palace, Taksim Square etc. Of course it's really easy to go between the two with public transport or you could stay at both!

Last time I was there a year ago I stayed at a Best Western (the Best Western chain in europe, unlike America, offer middle market hotels many of which are 'quaint') which actually looked over at the Blue Mosque (you can't get a better location than that!) and was VERY reasonable and suitably 'quirky'. Check it out - of course there's some incredible hotels in Istanbul but all at a cost of course. Incidentally you'll LOVE Istanbul.