PoppySeedBagel

My word! I thought the rest of the world hated us because we are imperialists: now I know it's the way we wash up...

The problem will be parking within walking distance!! (said with feeling - last August on a Saturday at 7.30 pm we just couldn't get a space in Padstow - never thought there'd be problems at that time). That said it sounds good, so I'll be reporting back after this August...

Oooh Curly both of those sound good. I have an excellent recipe in Anne Willan's Real Food for Rocquefort and Onion Quiche - the sweetness of the onions tempers the sharpness of the Rocquefort and it's gorgeous

I actually don't like my Le Pentole pan (a sauteuse) as much as my Cristel pans: http://www.cucinadirect.com/go/Product_6723.html My reason is the big lip on the Le Pentole, which makes it difficult to pour the contents. The Cristel pans seem to be as good quality as the Pentle and again you buy the lids separately (and also the handle - which makes it easier to fit them it the dishwasher)

Tesco used to be good for fish but when I went to our local one at Gatwick recently, after a 2 year gap, things had gone downhill. They no longer keep the fish behind glass (so it's kept cool) but on a display so we customers could touch the fish if we wanted - and obviously the top side is exposed to the warmth of the atmosphere. I've never seen such dead looking mackerel in my life. I bought some mussels (from the fridge)which were good althogh they needed a lot of prep. My 4 1/2 year old, who's not backward in coming forward, actually asked the fishmonger why they sold such horrid fish. French supermarkets manage to have open displays in which the fish is fresh, but I suppose that's because there's a faster turnover.

I've just had lunch at Latium - I started with really delicious pumpkin ravioli with sage butter. Then roast lamb with sauté potatoes and grilled asparagus and a simple much reduced sauce. Nice to have such simple, good quality food on offer, though I would have preferred plain boiled to the sauté spuds - given there was a sauce on the plate they just got soggy. Some might have quibbled at the small portion but it was OK for me - and the breads were excellent. Puddings were the weak point - all rather too rich/chocolatey - I had a rather dull baba with grandmarnier and hazelnut sauce. The ice creams would be a better choice. I wasn't paying but it seemed reasonable at £79 for lunch for two with 2 glasses of champagne, water, 3 courses and coffee. The service was good - indeed they seemed to have more staff than were strictly necessary. I shall definitely return.

I'd second Andrew Edmonds & Pied à Terre and used to love Alastair Little - though I haven't been to AL for ages

I'd go to Wilton's on Jermyn Street - lovely, refined food - as I find St John is a bit too 'hair shirt'. I disapprove of Simpson's as it does Bird's custard with puds, not eggy, proper, custard.

Square meal is good for getting tables at short notice through too

Would any newcomer be treated like then? Or was it just because she was one of Jamie's Fifteen, and that aroused resentment (someof it justified I suspect) What do people think of this:

Moby - no I haven't - will do some time though and report back. That wonderful-looking sirloin keeps winking at me though.

Ive never had a good meal there either - apart from at my sister in law's of course.

Having relatives on Guernsey I imagine you have to get out occasionally - though I've heard that there are people on Guernsey who've never been to St Peter Port

So what were you doing in Reigate Paul?

A friend and have each had St John deny a booking - anyone else?

I'll be interested to hear - thiri beef did look wonderful. Rather regret the pork - now I remember why we don't eat pork - it's so dry

Sorry to bang on about The Ginger Pig - we had the pork chops at the weekend - good meat but poorly presented - he hadn't trimmed off the skin let alone any of the fat. The bacon was good but messily presented. A bit of a disappointment: I'll return for the quality but put up with the lack of respect given to the product.

I've just been to The Ginger Pig off Marylebone High St to get some pork chops and wanted to buy some beef too - it looks absolutely beautiful - and like it's been well hung. I think it's from Yorkshire though not Scotland. I nearly fainted when I was told 3 (huge) pork chops and 6 rashers of streaky bacon were £29.50 - but turns out butchers can't add up and it was £11.30...

Moby The Ginger Pig was open last Friday when I went - selling some beautiful-looking sirloin. Right next to La Fromagerie, so two good reasons to go to Moxon St

Moby - The Dining Room is on Reigate High Street - LHS - near the traffic light at the end where you go right to go up R'gate Hill. It's above another restaurant (Ceapo Italian) so is rather poky

Or have you thought of mail order if you definitely want organic? (I'm not sure if Ginger Pig is)

Hi I live in Reigate - your colleague's comments are interesting - The Dining Room is rather pretentious in my opinion, but the food is pretty good - it has a celebrity chef you know (!) [he's on Ready Steady Cook]. I think The Green Rooms has closed. There is a huge lack of good restaurants in that area. Oh if only I lived in Ludlow...

You could try the Ginger Pig off Marylebone High St (Moxon St) - there's also one at Borough Market

I think it's reasonable (subject to amount of course) - after all they don't charge if you cancel at 13.59 but they don't let the table. We went to the Seafood Restaurant (and booked a room there for 3 nights) in Padstow for my husband's 40th -but my husband celebrated so enthusiastically at his family party before we set off that we missed the first night (!). They didn't charge us for that night even though they didn't let the room, which impressed me

I think you could find it tough to make ends meet even with all the good suggestions above. If the weather's fine you could consider having picnics for some lunches - so I suggest that you bring a sharp knife, a corkscrew and some plastic cups. I'd buy good bread and cheeses etc from food halls like Selfridges or the various good food shops around. I'd avoid Marks & Spencer, and buy fruit from the many street stalls - they are generally pretty good.