[Victor Lewis-Smith]

Did nobody read his columns when he was TV critic in the Evening Standard?

Same shtick (groan-worthy puns, forced irreverence, me-me-me), different target.

I couldn't believe it when I saw that he was the Guardian's new restaurant critic.

May he not last.

[gourmet takeaways & delis in London...]

There's a nice Thai deli near me in Shepherd's Bush, <a href=http://www.deliaonline.com/ingredients/goodfoodstores/s_0000000179.asp>Sri Thai</a>, which sells holy basil, lime leaves, fish balls, and all sorts of stuff I know nothing about. Ooh yes and excellent fresh Thai curry pastes for the lazy like me.

Sticking close to home there's also a huge Syrian deli that people seem to drive miles to get to, <a href=http://www.fly.co.uk/damian/archives/2003/08/damas_gate.html>Damas Gate</a>. I think Nigella plugged them once upon a time before she left the neighborhood.