postcode

No intention of it whatsoever. Belfast is a fickle market dictated primarily by the fur coat no knicker brigade who simply eat out at the likes of Deanes, in order to boast of where they've been to their next door neighbours/colleagues/families/subordinates/competitors.

I met both him and Jill Dupliex while they were 'touring' with the launch of her new book (well, new at the time) Simple Food. He was a genuinely nice bloke and very knowledgeable on all things 'food' She on the other hand was a nightmare on legs. As we were cooking dishes from her book, for a paying audience, and as she gave a running commentary on the dishes as we fired them out of the kitchen, she kept telling her guests that the presentation and the final product were not how she would've done it. This, ironically, was far from the truth as were following (on her strict instructions) her recipes to a 'T'

That's a very familiar lighthouse! Dad....? ← Son?

Now, that is a very familiar avatar...

Best I've had in the last 12 months was at The Connaught. No idea of the cost, as I wasn't paying, but it was very very good

Oh, and there's Paul Fulford at The Birmingham Evening Mail, who's known for booking under his own name and reminding them on arrival, what he does for a living. Him and Miss Davidson (or better known as 'Gravel Drive Girl' for her penchance to review remote hotels in places that are so far out of Birmingham and in the country, that you'd never be bothered to make the effort to visit) Don't get me started on Belfast, where they send you their 'copy' to amend, should you not like what they've written and are about to publish.

You've hit the nail on the head. Pack the plates and pack 'em high. 'Oh, I'd a lovely meal at (enter any restaurant in Belfarce you wish) and I couldn't finish it, there was so much! It was a bargain! And the £8.50 fresh seabass was so lovely and such a bargain. I especially liked the seasonal strawberries in December! We'll be back - and we'll tell all our friends (both of them)

The worst of the bunch is Alison Davidson at the Birmingham Post. She also has her own website here. She's vegetarian! A veggie food critic, I ask you! God, give me strength...

Having moved back to the good old 'N of I' in December 2003 (to purchase a restaurant of my own) I have to agree with the majority of the negativity about Belfast. Having done all the 'guide listed' when I returned, including Deanes, Roscoff, Cayenne, Aldens, Shanks, Oriel, James St South and Fontana, to be honest, none of them really lit my fire. The best of the bunch being without doubt, James St South. I tried my best to find others, but failed. Are my standards to high? Possibly, but it was the 'whole' experience I was after and if the food had've been slightly under par, but the service made up for it, I'd have made an effort to revisit. The service, in general, in this industry in NI, is appalling. Truly appalling. Having been away from NI for over 18 years and having left in the first place to pursue a career in Cheffing (as NI had nothing to offer in 1986) it's started to become a destination city, after years of turmoil. From being a nation of non foodies' to now having a huge array of places to dine, unfortunately the infastructure's not there to support it. I have never worked and run my own business in such a frustrating place. It may be where I was born, but it's ten years behind the rest of the UK.

Couldn't agree more. Even Jan Moir likes it! See here. You'd be hard pushed to find fault. More (if not quite so grand as a mention by Jan Moir) glory for LCS here. PS: TVR Boy, stop lurking, admiring my lighthouse and sending me text messages so late at night!

As Michelin aren't in favour of Restaurants referring in any way to their inclusion in their guides, or in many cases, any award that they have received from them, is this policy being revisited? Surely the guide is there as a reference point for those that buy it and all publicity given to Michelin would surely result in (possibly) the sale of more books?

Congrats to my wee mate at Jessica's in Birmingham. He's achieved exactly what he set out to achieve. One star!

Can you post the URL please? Thanks.

Why, thank you kind sir

I'm presuming it'll be on their Corporate press release page on Michelin.co.uk? While we're waiting, we can buy some tyres! Spoke to a mate last night who's held 2 in his own right before. He was saying thet the new one stars won't know until today, but any 'upgrades' will have been told yesterday and in the top end of the scale, those that have 2 or 3 will have had inspectors dine with them last night and inform them in person. But, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Don't think anyone knows how it actually works. He did say he's had two calls from customers yesterday congratulating him on his new star. He's rather sceptical, but I think under all the sceptism, he's had a sleepless night. Bless...

I would've thought that something might've slipped out by now.

My money's on Paris, but I'd like to see Jessica's get one, as he's already won the AA restaurant of the year for outside London. Fingers crossed (and he's a mate) ← Give him a ring and see if he's been told ← Good idea! I guess if I ring to have his Sous tell me he's down the pub, then that's my question answered!

Lived there for 5 years before moving to where I am now to do my own thing, so saw Birmingham rise from having nowhere decent to eat to a great selection nowadays. As there's no starred places in the whole city, the three contenders (and I've eaten in all three) are Glynn Purnell at Jessica's. Slightly daring food with some combinations that work and some that fail to hit the mark Pat McDonald at Paris. Sheer decadence both in the food and the surroundings Luke Tipping/Andreas Antona at the recently moved Simpsons. They had a star already in their previous Kenilworth location. My money's on Paris, but I'd like to see Jessica's get one, as he's already won the AA restaurant of the year for outside London. Fingers crossed (and he's a mate)

Bit of excitement in Birmingham at the moment as the three possible contenders for one await their news. Maybe they already know, but have to keep schtum?