BertieWooster

Stayed and ate there a few weeks back. First night was complete chaos, dreadful in almost every respect--surly staff, not remembering dietary requirements, over-cooked and under-cooked food. Though we were on a DB&B deal, seriously considering going to The Star for the second night. Eventually didn't, mostly because The Star was booked out. Second night was delightful, excellent, friendly staff (though the same people), wonderful food, couldn't do too much for us...Only difference was the manager/owner (not sure which) being in the room all night (who may be Mrs Rhatigan). Erratic but with potential. Oh, and with a lovely swimming pool.

If they're moving south, maybe they're just accepting that Torquay is the new Ludlow. So what happens to Ludlow? It either falls apart and Mr UNderhills finally loses its star, or the other great places in town, Dinham Hall and especially Overton Grange, get the recognition they deserve.

Haven't been to the Vaults yet, what's it like?

Makes a change, usually my only complaint about the place is that service is far too slow. Don't understand why The Yorke Arms doesn't make it into the Good Pub Guide, unlike the Sportsman's down the road.

Not really. Major restaurant openings mostly happen IN thatLondon, and so are available to only a small number of eG readers, and even smaller number of whom will have been. And if they're NOT in London, the relevant figure is tiny. Beyond saying 'can't wait to go' or ' sounds interesting' or 'eating in the dark? how stupid', there's not much to say until a goodly proportion of the messageboard population have been (barring insults over the reviews). Whereas a telly programme is something we can all experience and, more importantly, feel superior to. [EDIT: SNAP, but I am NOT Andy Lynes]

Been house hunting vaguely around there, surprised by the number of shoe factories in Rawtenstall. This is of no interest as a post whatsoever.

Dinner at LeBernadin or RHR where someone else pays.

Sunday is an odd day though innit? Northcote is very big on the SUnday lunch scene, so it might be all the effort goes into that and the C shift works SUnday nights. Not that it should be like that of course...Ate at Overton on a SUnday night and we were the only guests dining. Had two waiters just dealing with us. Never has my glass been so full. You seem to have really enjoyed the food till the Cheese course though? And presumably you recorded Midsomer Murders?

<historical diversion> FWIW, THAT Loxley (though a later addition to the legend) is outside Sheffield--though the Stratford Loxley has recently claimed the 'original' Robin Hood, in a fit of bandwagon jumping. </historical diversion> Suggest getting the Good Pub Guide. Lots of excellent pubs with excellent saussies n mash from locally reared animals about. Though don't miss L'Enclume at Cartmel (you can do lunch) for a real experience of top-notch fine food.

*phew* that be where me and the future Mrs W. are getting hitched in September. Having been engaged for four years because we couldn't solve this dilemma, and the place seems pretty perfect. I think its where our own beloved Thom is going to do it as well (though not at the same time obviously) for the same reasons. Sit down capacity is 70 IIRC.

Is there anything you wouldn't put up with in return for free drink and food Mr. Grant?

I helped out in a bar in New York a decade or so back where, when parties were getting loud drunk rather than silent and morose drunk as was acceptable, the owner would lean over and whisper, 'Bobby thinks you're getting noisy', or words to that effect. At which said party would almost always drink up and leave. Bobby was a wizened, tiny, old man who seemed permanently ensconced at one end of the bar. I only lasted a couple of weeks there, and never got up the nerve to ask why he had such an effect.

ONce went to quite a posh indian a few days before xmas where the neighbouring works xmas party had a stripper arrive and, uhhr, 'perform'. The management were very helpful in having our entire bill and lots of extra drinks charged to that party's table, as I think happened with most punters. Which dealt with our 'discomfort' and 'offence'.

I've penned more than one sarcastic response, but I'm not sure anything is strong enough. I'll just leave my flabber gasted. Welcome to the service industry.

Don't know Oxford, but Mrs. W and I are the chef's nightmare. I'm recovering veggie so stick to fsh, she's wheat and dairy intolerant. We've found that if you ring beforehand most everywhere is fine about both (well, they might swear when they've put the phone down). Tasting menus have even been done at places we're known like Anthony's (though it did cause chaos).

Didn't Toby Hill also lose the Box Tree's star?

The cod slices in chilli are gorgeous.

I dream of the chef who has the cojones to make crumble pie. Or, indeed, pie crumble.

Not new, but any campaign for the saving of the pithivier gets my limited support. My first 'posh' meal (at Quags) featured a vegetable pithivier that I remember with great affection. Course, that was in the days when England held the ashes, so quite a while ago. Oh.

Gary should be getting a research fee for all the times Jay's followed him somewhere.

DOn't think you have to do much but give the occiasional speech. It's like the eighties habit of naming student unions after random gay activists. I seem to remember Freud was originally rector in the late seventies when he defeated classy-version-of-Jordan-of-her-time Fiona Richmond. And if waste-of-airtime Nicky Campbell can do it, so can Gordo. ONly he will probably insist on doing his duties topless.

To be fair to Thom, that stuff was meant to be for two, only I never turned up. So he was only doing me (and the restaurant) a favour. If he gets heartburn as a result he'll probably sue me.

Feck, if I'd known they were looking for another space I've got one ready to go.

Oh my brain's perfectly happy to try. My stomach has been so tuned after a couple of decades of veggie-ism to object however. Even eel causes me problems. But I shall enjoy you tucking in while I stick to rice and, uhhr, something else.

Well Gueller's too busy having court battles with Madame Avis at the Box Tree to do much else isn't he?