magnolia

That's odd, I have one from my first meal at La Regalade - just an eight-10 sheet xerox that normally goes in a binding - plus the small daily menu from our particular visit. I can't imagine why Regalade wouldn't have given you one, its "production values" are nothing extraordinary (read: too expensive to give away). Were they were totally packed and perhaps literally couldn't spare one? Having one faxed is a good option, if you're at all timid about asking, all you have to say is that you/your dining companions have dietary/health issues and want to have a look beforehand. It's difficult for a restaurant to argue with this. As for photography, I guess it would be a bit odd/rude to take photos that included other diners, but photos of your own meal would seem to be a right/privilege as a paying customer ! As a corollary, in most of the places we're discussing herewith - special destination restaurants, frequented by tourists, etc...I can't recall the last time I was in such a restaurant where *someone* (sometimes even me, if I remember to bring a camera!) didn't ask the waiter to take a photo of their party - these places are well-accustomed to it. Then again, I subscribe to the 'customer is (almost) always right' philosophy of service, so maybe I'm more oblivious to behaviour that might raise an extra-pretentious eyebrow.

I had lunch at Pigalle on Friday, when it was very warm, and ducking into the dimmish, cool space was like finding a little refuge. At 13h30 only half the table were full, and it never got more crowded (perhaps more people had preceded us). The much-hyped François was very much in evidence - in fact he was the only staff member in evidence for the first 15 minutes - and as charming and gregarious as described, almost like a good natured 'heckler' as he would repeat peoples' various request at 'alto voce' "you want a glass of wine? I will get you a glass of the best wine!" The lunchtime £9.95 prix fixe indicated : salad (mozzarella, basil & tomoto); a choice of chicken chasseur or cod; and dessert. When I asked what 'chasseur' meant, he said 'that's not available, it's now coq au vin'. We requested a few more minutes to look at the menu, as I wasn't in the mood for coq au vin. I looked over the menu, but nothing inspired, so I decided on coq au vin after all. When we then placed our order, we were informed that there was no coq au vin, just steak. A bit exasperated - and definitely not in the mood for steak, I was about to turn away from the prix fixe and just order a salad - when François dashed off and came back to advise that chicken chasseur was back on the menu. So...back to Plan A, we both ordered the prix fixe, including the chicken chasseur (at that point - i.e. 13h50 - I didn't care what it was!) Our starters arrived, and I have to say sadly they were totally lackluster: sad wilted basil; non-descript mozzarella and the usual flavourless tomatoes - though I should have known better as it's really hard to find a good tomato in London, so I harbour no grudge for this, especially since the chicken dish was so good. I'm not a huge chicken fan but once in awhile I get in the mood for it, and this juicy, generous portion came in glazed terra-cotta tureen, with several varieties of mushrooms. We then had creme brulee (which was more creme than brulee) and a decent chocolate mousse, though I think they used milk chocolate and I prefer dark... and good, strong coffee. Lunch was a very, er, leisurely affair - we left at 16h00 ! (having arrived at 13h30). But that's OK, the chef came out and chatted, Francois did the rounds, and it was like a sort of dizzy comedy act. And at £32 or so incl t&t for two people, three courses (one sub-par; one great; one standard) a bottle of water, two coffees, plus very entertaining service, I'd go back - particularly as I still think that part of London is such an overpriced Tundra of restaurants (sorry to mix metaphors but you know what I mean)

I hadn't seen this post or I would have piped up a bit earlier: there was an article in last weekend's Telegraph (UK) by Harry de Quetteville, who participated in the Ecole de Chefs programme and was assigned to Arpege. His impression was one of being on the side-lines of a well-oiled but frenzied machine... he didn't expect to be - and was not - taken under anyone's wing - everyone was courteous and cordial and he was given a task to do, but no concessions were made just because he is a journalist (which the chef must have known because he has written about Arpege before, and the few times I've been there, there have always been journalists in the restaurant). De Quetteville described trying to stay out of everyone's way and feeling most comfortable as an observer, kind of a tourist-voyeur... very interesting & relevant article if you can get your hands on it; there doesn't seem to be an online link available - the article appeared in the July 13 or 14 issue.

I can guarantee it's in the old Hujo's premises - they've scarcely refurbished it... Nor have they changed the phone number, or the listing according to BT for that matter ! Does anyone know if they take bookings for lunch? I've been trying to call for the last 1/2 hour, phone always busy... Never mind, just got through... the answer is "yes".

I always pay the tip in cash, you *never* know where the credit card tip is going to end up. Most of my friends paid their university expenses by waiting tables - some are still supporting their other careers this way.

My experience with L'Ambroisie has been 'bittersweet' in tnat Prousty-madeleine-ian way. I have eaten there twice in my life, once in 1987 and once in 2001. The first time, I went with my mother & sister who were visiting me while I was at school, and it was by far the most upmarket, elegant and grown-up restaurant I'd eaten at the whole year. Someone had recommended it to my mother. I had called and made a reservation for lunch at what I thought was L'Ambroisie - but when we arrived at the restaurant, it turned out to be something else (L'Ambroisie had moved and I hadn't paid attention to the person who answered the phone when I made the reservation). So I called L'Ambroisie from a payphone on the corner and explained the situation, that my mother and sister were visiting from the States and we had heard great things, blah blah blah and the gentleman on the other end of the phone said we should come over as soon as possible. We arrived just as most people were on dessert...but we were invited to order at our leisure, which we did. I don't even remember what we ate (it was before I started taking notes!). We ate in the "second room". There was no tapestry, and there were lots of little tables for two and four. The lighting was soft. The waiters flirted and had a bit of fun with us. The chef came out to say hello and explained that our mistake (of going to the other restaurant) was one that others had made as well. The proverbial piece de resistance came when it was time to order desserts, and we were totally smashed by then on food and wine and ambiance, and we couldn't decide what to have so the waiter brought over one of everything :-) We didn't finish until the staff were eating their dinners! I had wanted to return ever since but didn't have the opportunity until a friend and I decided to book as a special birthday treat for our respective significant others. Since we had to organise Eurostar tickets and hotel way in advance of Christmas, I started working on this expedition in August 2001. L'Ambroisie said they would only allow bookings within a month of the reservation, which I respected and waited. One month ahead to the day, I called and was told they had been fully booked long before. I was really incensed and had a French person call to verify that this was not an anti-non-French person issue, and it was not. Basically I had to pull strings to get a reservation, and it was down to the wire, but finally we got it. Our dinner that night was as everyone has mentioned - technically perfect. The food was sumptuous, the wine excellent, and the service, extremely correct. We ate in the front room with the tapestry, there were only about six other tables in the room. It was extremely hushed, you could hear cutlery and glasses but no voices. As we gradually warmed to the occasion (two big birthdays), we were the only ones who seemed to be having any fun. None of the waiters cracked a smile the whole evening. It was all very cold and impersonal and ponderous, as if they were aloof servants. So...my earlier memory was one of a lovely, fun restaurant - an "unforgettable" experience, although I could remember nothing of the meal itself. 14 years on, my experience was one of awe and splendour, I have notes on the food and have nothing but praise and appreciation. But, and I write this reluctantly, the total absence of "soul" and warmth would make me think twice about taking such trouble to go back. Qu'est ce qui se passe?

OK, I admit it. I could hold out no longer. I had a huge craving...so...I WENT TO THE GYM! And through the whole horrible ordeal, a little voice in my head was saying "must...have...Eccles...cake" I felt my life was no longer in my own control. When I stopped by St John, the bakery counter was just COVERED with Eccles cakes. Buttery, curranty, flaky, wonderful Eccles cakes ! I could barely muster up the polite smalltalk I usually engage in with the cute guy with the longish hair, before saying "just gimme the damn thing and here's your £1.50" but I did...and was richly rewarded. Say, anyone know what's up with that cow in the middle of the traffic island on St John's street, with its tail pointed toward St John Bakery and it's nose toward the pass-through street to Clerkenwell Road? It reminds me of a Gateway box.

Hi, Dan - My sister Nina (you know who she is!) says Blue Hill is fab. Can't wait to try it next time I'm in NYC... Keep up the good work !

Ack ! That brings back memories... and not such great ones !

That *is* really weird. I can't understand why they would have had a problem with someone taking a photo of the display ! Maybe the shopkeeper was a spy herself, and was afraid to be exposed in your photos. Or maybe Poujaran ran out and had to bring in ringer food from a competitor ! Last night I saw a TV show where some hapless Brits were taken by a French real estate agent to view falling-down Chateaux, with the hope of purchasing their dream home in France for a song. Of course the estate agent was taking them for the proverbial ride, and they couldn't understand French. When they tried to question the neighbour of one of the houses in which they were interested, about the state of the property, the neighbour basically said "this place is so far gone that it will cost you millions to refurbish it, it's about to crumble and you are being ripped off" and then she noticed the camera and ran off, fearing the wrath of the seller... so I guess not everyone is keen to have their photo taken.

That *is* really weird. I can't understand why they would have had a problem with someone taking a photo of the display ! Maybe the shopkeeper was a spy herself, and was afraid to be exposed in your photos. Or maybe Poujaran ran out and had to bring in ringer food from a competitor ! Last night I saw a TV show where some hapless Brits were taken by a French real estate agent to view falling-down Chateaux, with the hope of purchasing their dream home in France for a song. Of course the estate agent was taking them for the proverbial ride, and they couldn't understand French. When they tried to question the neighbour of one of the houses in which they were interested, about the state of the property, the neighbour basically said "this place is so far gone that it will cost you millions to refurbish it, it's about to crumble and you are being ripped off" and then she noticed the camera and ran off, fearing the wrath of the seller... so I guess not everyone is keen to have their photo taken.

Thanks for all of these suggestions - I guess it was actually down to me to define my terms of a day trip: I did mean something well within a two hour train ride of Paris, including (minimal, if possible) changes of train. No access to car unfortunately, I don't even have a licence (yes, I know it's hard to believe) and my travel companion hasn't driven in years (and so far, only on the "wrong" side of the road) so I wouldn't want this to be our first car trip together. The idea is to find a couple of easy options for escaping the heat a bit, and use Paris as the base to explore of a bit of the area within a smallish radius of Paris. So some of the above definitely fit the bill !

Yes! Yes, they are. *falls into dreamy eccles cake contemplation* Careful, the eccles cakes are addictive. I regularly stop by on my way *back* from the gym and undo everything I've just done... I'm almost relieved if they have run out by the time I get there.

If I'm not mixing it up with tate Britain, I believe there is a restaurant *in* the Tate Modern that is meant to be very good, I think I read about it in relation to its wine list, and is supposedly not that expensive. look on their website, it must say something.

Any suggestions for day-escapes from Paris, centering (of course) on a good meal, which can be managed by train. I'll be staying a week during the steamy time of August and will have to be in the city for at least a couple of hours, most days, for work - but might be able to get out of town overnight or for a day or so.

Etoile d'Or is always one of my first stops! I am salivating right now. Denise Acabo is a sketch, she looks like a cross between Heidi and a school-mistress. The range, quality and freshness of the chocolates are unassailably excellent. if you're a Bernachon fan, she carries one so bitter (and I quote) "it will make your face collapse".

" What a pity. We passed by and it looked as inviting an old place as any I'd seen. If it had been lunch time, I might have walked in just because of its looks. I had hoped to hear more about, although that's not what I had hoped to hear."I have been there twice in my life, within the last eight years - both times I was taken by non-French people new to Paris, who thought it was the kind of place a non-French person visiting Paris (me) would think was the 'quintessential' Parisian bistro. The way people in London think Americans will automatically like Joe Allens or even TGIF (!) Admittedly I have not been there in six years but based on my two visits*, unless I hear otherwise, I wouldn't go back. Yes, it does look beautiful with authentic bistro decor, but I recall being incensed that the menu was one of those affairs where ONLY a prix fixe is available, and each course had about two dishes that are actually part of the prix fixe, and the rest were only available by paying a supplement. It was clearly on the bus-tour circuit (sorry to be a snob about it), and the service was appropriately appalling, sneery and impatient - and not in the 'charmingly Parisian ' sneery way you expect from lifer waiters. I remember nothing else whatsoever about either meal - not the price, not what I had, nothing - and I'm not the kind of person who looks for the bad. QUOTE: My assumption is that Gopnik may have lived in the quartier latin while he was writing From Paris to the Moon as he described a local brasserie as sort of a second home. That brasserie is also very heavily frequented by English speaking tourists. I believe Gopnik lived on or near Rue Cler, and I think the brasserie he talks about is the one on the corner of Rue Cler & Grenelle (or one street up from Grenelle), just down from Espace Bosquet - the one with the dumbwaiter set into the floor just inside the front door.

Have we been staying on the same rue Cler? If so, I must disagree: Inch for inch, rue Cler pieton and environs must be one of the most touristy ´hoods in all of Paris (with the possible exception of the Marais). Yes, it´s a beautiful place to live. And Marie Cantin is great and the Cafe du Marche fairly priced and consistently good. The crepe place next to Cafe du Marche is also good. But the rest of the market stalls have to be the biggest rip off in the whole city ! I have heard of one decent restaurant in the area (I think you even mentinoed it Steve) but the only other well known place I can think of - Thoumieux - is a disgrace. Still within sighing distance of the Eiffel Tower, I´d say the 15th is good for both ´hip and happening´restaurants (os a moelle & offspring ,cafe du commerce, some good ones near Emil Zola which slip my mind) and also for a couple of fantastic markets, one on rue du commerce and one under the El (or maybe it´s "elle" given that it´s Paris!) also gets high marks for accessibility to other foodie neighbourhoods like the 14th (la Regalade, despite what Simon may say) &tc.

Is Lindsay House the one in Dulwich or environs, which is owned by a guy who lives upstairs? If so, I ate well there for my birthday in 2001. It was nothing over the top spectacular, but it was far, far from my worst meal of the year. Might have been partly the setting and the weather (both memorable, as only a nice day in England can be memorable!) Service was nothing special but nothing bad, either. Everybody´s worst meal of the year seems to be from a high end or name restaurant. Seems weird that nobody´s worst meal is from a local crappy joint or doner kebab house where you got trichinosis or food poisoning. I suspect those meals get deleted from the mind, whereas as someone else mentioned, upscale or celebrity places disappoint because you expect so much more,

best meal so far this year was at tinseltown diner with egullet crowd JUST KIDDING! Great for company and milkshakes...towering empire state hamburger would have been good if I had been able to eat it ! I´m in Valencia right for the second time in a month, now just digesting fantastic yummy lunch and half a bottle of wine, and dreaming of tapas, so I can´t concentrate on London. Plus it´s about 99 degrees F here so I can´t concentrate on anything except that this internet cafe is air condionizado or however you say it ! As Sam mentioned the pork belly from La Trouvaille, which is also high on my list of good things eaten this year...I wonder if we could split this discussion up or start another one, to accomodate 'best dishes of the year' , that way we could construct a dream meal from different restaurants and not just pick one? Come to think of it, my whoe meal at Mju was definitely way ,way up there... Either the eyes on the clickable smilies are blinking and winking, or I´ve definitely had too much to drink. ¡a dios!

Ah, but if high tea is your thing, Savoy's is a relative bargain and is the real thing. Plus there doesn't seem to be a dress code; they don't sneer at you if you aren't Royalty or Celebrity; and last time I was there (couple of weeks ago) I walked in off the street (though I suppose it's always better to reserve). And it's right around the corner from Simpsons so if you're still hungry after your 10 deadly sins or whatever, and it's about 4pm (just post breakfast!) then you can stroll right in

What an unfortunate name for a new restaurant. Americans (and those who visit America) may know that Sizzler is an egregious steakhouse, probably what Angus/Aberdeen/American Steakhouses are modeled after...

I've only bought cookies, cakes & breads there - and some jar/canned goods. And I admit to not having looked at the sell by dates at all. But with the huge quantity of stuff they have there, I have often wondered how they could possibly go through it? I'll bet the reason they looked mortified at having to take away the butter is that it ruins their studious display. They are like the Benetton of food shops, the display looks wonderful and you get the feeling that if you move a jar out of place, once you leave someone will rush over and put it back so everything is symmetrical and the labels all face out. Flaneur really has to decide what it wants to be when it grows up. I'm mystified as to how it stays in business. It is HUGE and must cost a mint to run, but I have never seen more than five people in there at once. Maybe they do a lot of catering? The breads/cakes/cookies are very reasonably priced for the quality - as good as Maison Blanc which is the only other decent 'patisserie' I have found in London - Valerie and Richoux I find OK for eat-in but for take-away, I find their quality very uneven (the only Valerie that seems to have consistently good stuff is the one in Soho - Compton Road I think?) and mostly without flavor - i.e. a cake that looks really chocolatey and wonderful ends up tasting like sawdust, and their fruit mousse cakes taste like Gummi fruits. But back to Flaneur, perhaps they will eventually do away with the retail shop and stick to the restaurant and fresh items...? Stay tuned. And let me know how your friend gets on with the philosophy brunch idea, sounds like fun.

Not upmarket but very kid-friendly and good is Metro Pizza (64c Battersea Rise, SW11 EQ tel: 020 7228 3812) depending on where you're from, if you can't get good pizza there...and/or if your kids are pining for it, this is a great option. The pizza is not only the best in London - which admittedly isn't saying much - but it's good by any standards. Ransome's Dock is also very kid-friendly, if a bit of a pain to get to (also Battersea but on Parkgate Road, not near any particular underground). They deal well with picky eaters and special food requests etc.

Well I've been wracking (racking?) my brains for you, there are not many places that do brunch and those that do tend to be smallish...but why not try Flaneur Food Hall on Farringdon Road in EC1? I have never, at any time of day, seen more than a couple of tables occupied. Their prices (for restaurant food anyway) are not outrageous, certainly for the area. We, in the 'hood, gave them six months, max, but they seem to be hanging on somehow. Maybe they are a front for something. Anyway, they do brunch on weekends and I bet you could linger.