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I'm coming to London for a weekend this June and would love to hear the best suggestions for authentic English pub food from locals. My wife and I are staying in Covent Garden and are not interested in waiting in line for three hours to get a meal at the Eagle. Suggestions? We'll also be staying in Padstow for a few days so any non-Rick Stein restaurants would also be appreciated.

My vote goes to Longhouse on Dunbar. It a family run business and they have the best choice of Smoked Salmon and jerky in the city. Try the traditional smoked salmon jerky Their prices are also very competitive and their fish is always fresh. Great friendly service as well. We've made them our new fishmonger as we used to go Seven Seas but find Longhouse better. Great Smoked Alaska Black Cod.

I'm sorry. I don't know where Sam Salmon is getting his Indian food in Vancouver but if it's better than Vij's I wish he'd tell the rest of us where it is. I've been to India twice and spent a lot of time eating in overpriced Indian restaurants in London that I wouldn't even let stir Vij's curry. Add to that visits to countries like Fiji, Malaysia, and Singapore which all have sizeable Indian populations and I can tell you that Vij's is still the best Indian I've ever had. The only place I've ever been that beat him was in Zanzibar on the roof of a small hotel where they had imported a chef from one of the large chain hotels in Bombay and where the sound of the call to prayer from the local mosque mixed with the scent of spice from the island which is famous for it's local spices. Lets just say the local atmosphere had a slight edge over Vancouver. Vikram is a gracious host who treats everyone the same whether they are a visiting celebrity or just a common man off the street. The only person I've ever heard who didn't have to wait for a table was Pierre Trudeau, not only one of our greatest Canadians but a man who truly enjoyed great food and probably had more to do with the diverse nature of food in this country than anyone else. If I could only go to three restaurants for the rest of my life, Vij's would be one of them in a heartbeat. Whenever I really wanted to impress a date I would take her to Vij's because it's elegant yet casual and warming. Lets just say his cooking has never let me down in that department. There is a reason why he wins the same awards every year and no one even comes close to touch him. Vikram is a stand up guy who has worked hard from a little hole in the wall on Broadway to where he is today. If there is a better Indian restaurant in town then please let the rest of us know.

I went there once and had a decent seafood pasta. Every time I've tried to call for takeout they either never answer the phone or say they're to busy. Ok, if business is so good that you don't need to do takeout then fine, don't offer take out. I live in the neighborhood and a lot of people I know who have checked it out have not much good to say about it. I don't know what Jamie Maw was raving about in his article. There are far better family places to go in the area then there.

I'm sorry but wasn't one of the issues in the last election about how Vancouver is a "no fun city". I don't know why Vancouver is obssessed with rules. I just finished a reno on my house and that was a nightmare with inspectors. I almost wish we could go back to the days when we were able to bribe city officials. I'm originally from Toronto which is a Mecca for patios in the summer of all sizes and shapes and character. I was at a great rooftop one last summer in the heart of Yorkville with misters on it to keep people cool from that deadly humidity. My girlfriend, (who's originally from Vancouver) remarked that you could never find a patio like that in Vancouver as some patio cop would cite you for some obscure zoning citation. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Toronto has just as many rules about patios as we do. The only difference is they don't waste the taxpayers money on hiring some "patio cop" to enforce them with religious zeal. Believe me I saw it all the time during my own dealings with city hall. Some new kid on the city inspection department wants to impress his boss so he goes out to shakedown respectable hard working restaurant owners who are paying their taxes and employing people. It just infuriates me that the city wastes our money on crap like this when we have a whole host of real problems that need to be worked on. I mean it's a patio, it's not like someone is dumping rat poo in the soup. Yes, a protest on the front lawn of city hall would be great, but don't forget to email your elected official and voice your contempt for this pathetic waste of your taxpayers dollars. Remember, we're the one's who elected them and pay them in the end.

On my last trip to Victoria I was let in on a little secret by a fellow foodie I met at a bar. There is a great little hole in the wall place on the right hand side of Dragon Alley a couple of doors down from a hair salon. I've forgotten the name but it's run by a woman who is a real character who basically cooks whatever she feels like. There is no blackboard, you just go in and she tells you what she has that day and cooks it right there in front of you. When I was there she had duck on the menu and it was incredible. She also had a glorious chocolate desert that I've never tried before and likely never will again. She has a loyal following who know her on a first name basis and who are likely trying to keep it Victoria's best kept secret. I believe that she caters when she's not running this little joint during the day. I advise anyone to give it a try next time they're there. It's the only cafe in Dragon Alley which is a well kept secret itself but is easy to find on any tourist map. If for nothing else she will keep you entertained. It's an original dining experience in a world where menu's are all starting to look the same.

My Parents are going to be goind to Mumbai, Varanesi and Shimla. It might help if you could mention where in India they are going. ←

My parents are going to India and want to go to some good authentic Indian restaurants. Can anybody recommend anygood ones?

They may not have dip (other than mayo), but Salade de Fruits Cafe at West 7th and Granville has very good fries and moules to go with it. And unlike Chambar they give you a spoon with your moules. Be advised though that they only have two wines on the menu, red and white. You can bring your own wine though and they'll charge you a very reasonable corking charge.