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Thanks for the Lina lead - will check it out next time I'm in Soho On the subject of Spanish food, Waitrose used to do a fab carton of Gazpacho called Don Simon or something similar - in the chill cabinet next to the fruit juices. They don't seem to stock it this year, despite my constant requests to the manager at our local branch - anyone know if anywhere else stocks it?

While I agree that Le Gavroche is really special, I think that for a 30th birthday in July you would be hard pushed to better the Waterside Inn. You will be made to feel really special, food and service are really superb,and you should consider staying the night - they have lovely rooms and you have a delicious continental breakfast served in your room in the morning. Not cheap, but worth every bit of the money. If I could have my 30th again, that's where I'd go!

For Winchester I'd consider Lainston House Hotel - just outside. It is really beautiful and has an excellent restaurant with good food and lovely views. You could either stay there (fab bathrooms!) or just have a meal. Hotel du Vin is also in Winchester.

Many thanks folks, looks like we'll go for Le Square - I'll let you know next week how we got on! It's really annoying about Chez Michel as it had a great write up by Fiona Beckett in the Times and would have been ideal for a lazy lunch - c'est la vie!

Shaun, thanks for taking the time to do this. Out of interest, which British chefs do you rate/admire and also which, if any foreign chefs (either in the UK or abroad) do you find inspirational and/or admire?

It is called Le Square and is at 31 Rue St Dominique. I'm not sure how top end it is - the hotel is one which is recommended to me by a UK chef (who is away at the moment so I can't ask him!) and they have recommended the restaurant. They said it has good French food and is good value for money. I did a google search and it came up on a Time Out guide recommendation but when I tried to go to it is was unavailable, so it did once have a mention! We don't want to go totally wild on spend but do want to have a good meal and a bottle or two of good wine...... any info gratefully received! Many thanks

We've been recommended to Le Square by our hotel for this weekend - almost everywhere seems to be closed! Does anyone know it? If so, is it any good? Also, we are looking for somewhere near to the Gare du Nord for Sunday before getting Eurostar back to the UK - Chez Michel is closed - any other suggestions?

Correction, it would not be right in England! More haste, less speed and all that!

I have yet to find a source of sobrasada in London - I too love it, esepcially the picante version! It does keep for a while and strangely enough they have a very similar product in southern Italy called something very similar - sopressada or something like that, which is slightly spicier. A good Italian deli may stock this. It is great used as a stuffing for chicken but my idea of heaven is soft Majorcan rolls, spread with Sobrasada and chopped sweet Spanish onion, sitting on the beach with a cold can of beer.......somehow it would be right in England! Otherwise I resort to asking friends visiting Majorca to bring some back for me!

There is a place called Chimneys at Bawtry which is supposed to be quite good - not sure if that is too far for you to go. I believe it has a Roux Scholar as head chef which should be a good recommendation.

I have eaten at Clarke's - albeit some time ago - and my memory was of a really fabulous meal. I was a guest so don't know what it cost. Last summer we ate at Chez Panisse and I was really disappointed. It was one of the rare occasions when I looked at the menu and nothing, absolutely nothing, appealed to me. Normally I have a major problem deciding what to choose - especially starters. There's not much point in having choice in that instance. The meal we had was okay but not cheap. I wouldn't go back in a hurry but I would be back at Clarke's like a shot if dining in that part of London.

Does anyone know a good restaurant in central Paris which is open on a Saturday evening? We are happy to spend about £60-70 per head all in and would like to include a decent drink or two. We are staying near Madeleine but anywhere reasonably central which has good food and a nice, relaxed, and even better romantic, atmosphere would be great..... any recommendations appreciated. I've been spoilt by going on business and eating at places like Lucas Carton and Pierre Gagnaire........

Those of you who like Campari (I'm an "on the rocks" girl myself) might also like to try a French aperitif called Suze - this too can be drunk with tonic or on the rocks or almost any way you like to drink Campari - I'm told the similarity is down to the herb/flower(?) gentian, which is in both drinks. The French are always stunned if a British person orders a Suze - especially on the rocks - so if you want to be seen as really in the know, try ordering one in a French bar. It comes in a tall straight bottle and is amber coloured - I haven't done a blind taste comparison, but would imagine it compares well with Campari, but with a slightly orange hint......