Romaney O'Malley

I called them about 4:30 today and got through after about 10 minutes of trying off and on. I was then on hold for another 10 minutes (mostly a recorded message telling me about the Christmas closing, but that was replaced by a different recorded message half way through). I finally got through to someone who told me they had no spaces available on any day for the next two months but put me on a waiting list for the days I wanted. ← I'm on the waitlist as well. Does anyone have any idea whether there's a good chance of getting in once you're on the waitlist? I mean are there a certain number of places which are held back for VVIPs which are released a day or two before the appointed day or do places arise only in the event there are actual cancellations? ← I was on a witlist for a table of four for this weekend and they phoned me Wed with a table unfortunately the other two now can't make it so we had to give it up ← Aargh you should have given it to me! ← I did think of offering it up actually so sorry about that. Problem was I was stuck in a meeting in Luxembourg of all places when they called. I don't think the people I was meeting were too impressed when I insisted on taking the call. I was going to explain it was the Fat Duck but then reality struck that not all people would understand why it was so important that I drop everything!

I called them about 4:30 today and got through after about 10 minutes of trying off and on. I was then on hold for another 10 minutes (mostly a recorded message telling me about the Christmas closing, but that was replaced by a different recorded message half way through). I finally got through to someone who told me they had no spaces available on any day for the next two months but put me on a waiting list for the days I wanted. ← I'm on the waitlist as well. Does anyone have any idea whether there's a good chance of getting in once you're on the waitlist? I mean are there a certain number of places which are held back for VVIPs which are released a day or two before the appointed day or do places arise only in the event there are actual cancellations? ← I was on a witlist for a table of four for this weekend and they phoned me Wed with a table unfortunately the other two now can't make it so we had to give it up

Charming

Have to concur with Naebody I confess to being a Sydney girl - London cannot brunch

Did anyone watch this yesterday? It's the first one I have watched of this series. I just cannot believe some of the people they have on this thing. Out of six contestants, two served up raw chicken, one served an uncooked tart (and I mean raw), the other were ok but I can't remember one memorable dish. The person who ultimately got through to the semis seem to be a solid cook with a simple approach (and I have no truck with that by the way) the thing is - they have 6 starters and they are meant to eliminate 3 after the first challenge - I would have struggled to find 3 that should go through. I am genuinely staggered by the level of cooking I know they are under pressure but flamin nora

Dos Hermanos reviewed it too - very positive as well Edited because it's Monday

Oh my goodness - be still my beating heart

I think it's just really busy I managed to get through after about 5 hours the other day after working out the constant redial thingy on my phone That said I'd not tried to call before so not sure if this is normal

thanks both of you for your input - has put this in perspective it sounds like there are many places potentially in this category. I have to say that doing research on where to eat in Tokyo is proving to be one seriously overwhelming experience! but a nice problem to have

This article appeared in the Sunday Times in the UK yesterday Link to article I did a few searches of the Japan forum but didn't turn up anything which surprised me and I wonder if it maybe because the place is so tiny therefore not a lot of people will have been. We are coming to Japan for two weeks in April and so I am interested to see if anyone has been here and if so is it worth a trip? I am tempted to email an book it up based on this article but of course I have to check with the experts first

I went in August for dinner and had the tasting menu. I have to say I have always been impressed with my meals there, but this one was distinctly unimpressive. The amuses, canapes and petit fours, oh and the crazy pre-deserts were about the best things we had, them and the cheese board! It could well be that it was because Tom was away on honeymoon, but the dishes were rather dull and uninspiring. One thing that really surprised me was that on 3 of the plates the same garnish was used in the same way which to me is just lazy (especially when it was such an easy garnish to prepare!) Another surprise was that the same plates were used for all the courses bar the canapes etc. I can only describe the plates as simple white side plates - very dull and tiny! On 3 of the dishes the components were actually spilling off the plate as they were'nt big enough. All in all it was still an ok meal, but nothing really inspiring as it has been in the past. I would say it is probably still worth going though, as from past experience this certainly seems to be out of character for the restaurant. ← thanks for the info Ravelda I think I will err on the side of caution - we haven't been to Petrus either so I've booked for dinner in Feb (well the top of the waitlist they tell me) By the way if the economy is slowing down it ain't happening in London. I know I am a nobody in the restaurant world but Gordon Bennett! It was truly impossible trying to get a booking at a high end restaurant and I am pretty flexible on timing. I would have thought Jan/Feb was a slow time. That said maybe I am exagerrating. I am still exhausted from the 5 hours it took me to get through to the Fat Duck (to no avail of course) Not that I am complaining I am happy for their success - just wish I had a PA

Has anyone been to TA restaurant recently? I notice he has a lot of plates in the air - even a counter at selfridges! Am looking for a nice dinner and we still haven't managed to go here so wondering if we should book it up or go to Hibiscus instead...

Just want to add a note of reassurance. I am no connoisseur of meat but a complete convert to dry aged beef. I'd be surprised if you found the taste not to your liking. In my experience it is a mellow rather than strong effect. Also - don't worry about it being grey. For bacteria to live my understanding (I will wait for the flood of posts to correct me!) is that moisture must be present, remove/reduce the moisture and you significantly reduce the risk of eating something that is 'off'. If I recall correctly Heston Blumenthal once did an article in one of the UK papers about how to dry age your own meat at home in the fridge - will try and find it ETA - and here it is! Heston DIY Don't know if it's strictly 'dry ageing' though maybe just ageing Enjoy - I am envious!

That's a great idea - and don't throw away the extra whites. Make meringues. If you cook til quite dry they will last in an airtight container for ages and you can use them for lots of things. They are great for crumbling into whipped cream or over ice cream too

I hardly wash anything out of laziness and, in the case of meat and salad leaves, not wanting to introduce moisture (although I do wash chickens) However this thread has snapped me out of it. I need to get washing!

Thanks guys this is most helpful

Well it's that time of year and I am in the midst of trying to create a cool pressie for Mr O. I have left it a little late but no surprise there. The current wine infatuation in the O'Malley household is with Argentinian wines, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon being the main focus. I thought a good present would be a blind tasting of a few wines at different levels. I have identified a list of wines to buy but now I need to find them. I haven't had much luck so far. Does anyone have any suggestions for stockists in the UK (or even better in London) that have a good ranges of Argentinian wines with some of the harder to get fine wines? Any help appreciated...

I have no experience of their mail order services, but both Neal's yard and the Fine Cheese Company in Bath do monthly cheese selections. The one from the Fine Cheese Company looks similar to the organic vegetable box idea: see here for more details. The website says: For the Neal's yard offerings look here. Neither of these is cheap and my own feeling is that so much cheese every month is way over the top, although Neal's yard also does a quarterly selection. ← Think that's what Che is saying. A lot of them do a monthly selection. Mr O bought me the monthly Paxton and Whitfield one a couple of years ago which was fantastic but it was an awful lot of cheese. I haven't found one that does just one cheese. I guess the best path would be to phone and ask them if they can do it for you. In my experience the specialist places are so helpful especially as they are so passionate about their product. Why not give a few of them a call and ask? ← Maybe Che might consider doing a cheese of the month? ← Now that is an excellent idea!!

Another recommendation for Riedel. The Dartington crystal glasses are lovely but of the 8 we had we only have 2 left as they were really fragile - although dinner at the O'Malley house is usually far from civilised We only have new world red Riedels, not a whole set, but they are lovely and have lasted the distance. The wine seems to really benefit from them and we have had some exceptional reds which I believe have been even better because of the glasses

I have no experience of their mail order services, but both Neal's yard and the Fine Cheese Company in Bath do monthly cheese selections. The one from the Fine Cheese Company looks similar to the organic vegetable box idea: see here for more details. The website says: For the Neal's yard offerings look here. Neither of these is cheap and my own feeling is that so much cheese every month is way over the top, although Neal's yard also does a quarterly selection. ← Think that's what Che is saying. A lot of them do a monthly selection. Mr O bought me the monthly Paxton and Whitfield one a couple of years ago which was fantastic but it was an awful lot of cheese. I haven't found one that does just one cheese. I guess the best path would be to phone and ask them if they can do it for you. In my experience the specialist places are so helpful especially as they are so passionate about their product. Why not give a few of them a call and ask?

Hi there Mr O is a diehard rotisserie fanatic and we have a really amazing place near us that does great chickens and these delicious little sausages. thing is I know it would be the ultimate christmas present to get him one so he can do his own at home. I have seen some reviews on various sites for the Ronco rotisseries with both positive and negative comments. So I thought to myself 'why am I roaming these silly sites when I have my very own experts?' so my question is: - are these things any good? - if there are good domestic brands what are they? - is it worth my kitchen space or will this soon join the pasta machine in the back of my cupboard? I'd appreciate your input Budget can stretch for a good one if it exists Thanks guys

I am lucky enough to have a quince tree in my front garden. We picked all the fruit from it today and I reckon I have about 30 quinces. I am going to make membrillo tomorrow morning and also a batch of quince and orange jelly. I think I'll stew some and freeze them and keep some in a bowl until I decide what to do with them I am so happy

I had a really fantastic Sunday lunch at Locanda Locatelli a couple of weekends ago. Hadn't been there before and I was impressed. They are open for dinner on Sundays as well until 10pm (their website says)

Agreed, sam left them in the shit then blamed him for it. On the basis he can't cook & appears to have no interest 'i'm just in the way here, i'll leave you to it'?? surely they can't possibly make it through the week. ← Can anyone explain to me why this guy is on the show? I cannot fathom any reason why he is there

Thanks for all the info I appreciate it I did actually try for a room at the Crown and Castle but as expected they are fully booked up. I might try for lunch/dinner though. Any idea how much a cab woudl be from Orford to Aldeburgh (or is it walking distance - we aren't afraid of a long walk)? We were planning to leave the car at home..