Bapi

You are on Thom- as long as you don't dip on me again, feigning too much work and then read egullet all afternoon Incidentally, I went with a friend a weeks back and thought the Gung-bo prawn off the "spicy" menu, was the weakest dish we tried.

I have nothing but contempt for pompous idiots like that. Like wise - don't apologise, I enjoyed reading it. Giving thought to our (gulp) 5th Anniversary this year, and was thinking about the Lake District. Thanks

In that case Bas- can you cancel our reservation for later this year? We'll pop over to Number 6 instead

I no longer live in London- but my two pennies worth would include dining at Tayyabs in Whitechapel. Check out the New Tayyabs thread which currently on Page 2 of this forum. Excellent and reasonable Pakistani food. That thread will give you lots of hints as to what to eat. Pubs- I really liked The Grapes on Narrow Street, Limehouse which overlooks the river, as does the Prospect of Whitby. The Gun at Cold Harbour is also good- but circeplum is the person to ask about eating there. Enjoy.

We ate there when Toby Hill was in charge of the kitchen. Whilst the food was very able and competent- the service was wholly incompetent. Being left in the lounge for twenty minutes waiting for a drink, whilst the front house just chatted away to another couple did not set us up for a relaxed evening. I would not have minded quite as much if there had been other guests waiting- but there werent. It was just us. We then waited another hour to be seated. Another highlight was watching them bring my Lobster out and Rosie's Salmon dish- except it wasn't salmon. So both dishes were whisked away, with an apology about how each dish has to be served perfectly and at the correct temperature. Ok we thought and then watched in horror as the same two staff came out one minute later and gave them to the people two tables down from us. When my main course did finally arrive the poor girl stood at the door, with our food on her tray, waiting for the more experienced chaps to bring the food to our tables. Except they were all chatting away. At this point, I was rising from the table to go and get my own food and bring it to the table - when the missus stuck her talons into my thigh with a vice-like grip, to prevent me from making a scene. A shame the food when we got it was pleasant, especially my lobster dish; but I remember predicting that if the did not pull their socks up, re service, they would lose a star the following year. and lo' behold they did.

Likewise. We went to The Three Fishes in Mitton last week- which is owned by the same team as Northcote Manor. Post to follow on that. Loved the details of the Obsession Food Festival at Northcote Manor, at the end of this month. That chap Claude who has a cafe in Ludlow and who I understand is quite talented is cooking on the first night. There are also David Thompson from Nahm- Heston B, Mark Hix amongst others cooking during the week long festival. Also we must try Paul Heathcote's Longridge restaurant. Is it any good now? One other place that I would dearly like to get to this year is Sat Bains eponymous restaurant in Nottingham. Has anyone been there?

We are visiting Simon's place in May this year, en-route to Padstow. I hear he is particularly good at Thai food. BTW- I noticed only a couple of days ago that Simon received the GFG Devon Newcomer award 2006. Nice one

No Thom, Gary told me CB is the Apprentice to the Apprentice Tripe Bleacher. It'll take him three years to work up to becoming an Apprentice. Good Work fella. For a horrible moment I thought he was going to work with Gary

We had another weekend in Ludlow again a few weeks back and I am afraid that I simply haven’t had the time to finish the write up I started back in November. We had two consecutive lunches there the first of which was a Degusutation. Quite brave really as we took the 10 month old along with us for what turned out to be a rather long lunch. Our attempts at keeping Hugo quiet were thankfully vitiated by Claude popping back out with umpteen fresh Goujeres for him; which he gladly devoured. Of the many highlights – I especially loved the Agnlotti of Buttercup Pumpkin, Sweet & Sour Beetroot and Shavings of White truffle. Mmmm, that truffle along with the sweet bundles of pumpkin. Simply delicious. Another first was having Claude’s team lightly poach a Cornish Oyster which was served with a Eucalyptus Froth and an Artichoke Tuile. This was served with a Manzanilla”La Gitana” Hidalgo- which brought out the ozoney flavour of the oyster. (Incidentally – the new chap Simon whose forte is the wine – is a welcome addition to complement the team of Claire and my favourite Stockfordian Sally. I also adored the Roast mallard with Black Grape Confit and Parsley Root Puree with a swirl of Sweet Potato and Saffron. A sensible portion of rare, but fabulously tender duck, with spot on, yet unusual accompaniments. Not quite sure how he manages this systematically, but Claude seems to steer a sensible path away from the fashionable vagaries of “Molecular Gastronomy”, but still combine eclectic ingredients intelligently. The bloody show-off. Other news- The new Wine merchants- Bentleys- next to the Chocolate shop in the Market square is rather good, and is something that Ludlow has badly needed for some time. My previous comment about The Charlton Arms from before fisherman went to this year’s Food Festival has come true. I wrote that it was a bit tired but that the fabulous location by the river was crying out for re-development. It transpires that the owner of the Church Inn has taken it over, and his plans to make the most out of the place have already started. The Bosi’s have also expanded their empire and have taken over the Bell Inn in Yarpole- which is serving traditional British fare – but properly done. Didn’t get a chance to try it this time – but we will do in March. Who’d take over a pub – eh Gary? It was also excellent to see Shaun, who was on fine form when popped in for a “state” visit during our second meal on Friday.

Think again Sunshine I am glad you have finally "outed" yourself as our very own Al Murray It's a gem of a pub and Sarah, being both the brains and the brawn of the operation, will ensure that things go swimmingly. Well done matey.

As ever a veritable tome from Thom Have spoken to "Al Murray " from Westow and we will reconvene for this lunch in the New Year sir. And eat the above list whilst we are at it.

Since I was meeting a Uni friend in the Malmaison Bar at 3.30pm last Saturday afternoon and since I knew where that might ulitmately end up. I insisted that we had something to eat to line our stomachs before we ventured near a pub. Having telephoned the sage like Thom - and him having guided me in the right direction as to what to order- off we set- leaving a rather plished Johny Vegas nursing his pint. As suggested - we disregarded the "bog-standard" menu and went for the spicy one. First up were cold starters of Sesame Hot Beef and Spicy Pig's intestines. Each dish consisted of thin slices of meat cotaed in an oily and super hot dressing. The sesame beef was not too overpowering as sesame oil can ,on occasion be, if not used sparingly. Then onto the sar of the show the lamb Chilli broth- just as good as has been described above. This dish had the lot- heat, depth, spice,mountains of lamb and brasied greens and those fiery chillis- which I rather foolishly had a few of. Loved it - and at £7.50 for a portion - a bargain which one person would surely struggle to eat alone. The only slightly disappointing dish was the Gung Bo King Prawn- very acceptable but just that. But then I fear anything would have pailed against the lamb dish. With some rice and perhaps a couple of Tiger beers more than we needed, the bill was £40. Thom- I am up for the sea-bass dish. Will give you the nod when I am given another pass. But as my A&E Consultant friend was found by his wife asleep on the toilet at 4am the follwing morning. It may be some time.

Thom - Can a man with a chipolata physically treat a loved one to anything? Listened to this radio programme on the way over to a "friend's" pub on Sunday and thought it must be your butcher that had won. Think I will have to pop over to sunny Glossop to stock up. ( PS- Red Chilli was the superb- will post shortly)

well he did pay his fair share despite not drinking, and it really is cruelty to leave a southern reviewer to his own devices up north ! it was a very good lunch, everybody apart from Jay got home much later and drunker than expected! ← Speak for your bloody self Marshall Thom and I behaved particularly well, I thought. I am intrigued though Jay. The review refers to four friends and you? Now I know that Marshall is a greedy bugger - but not even he actually constitutes two whole people- but then again. Incidentally- Gary re Jay's review- did you "read it vicariously?" A fine lunch, I particularly liked the poached oysters and caviar- but wasn't as keen as Jay with the accompanying pasta. My wood pigeon was excellent though and the sarladaise potatoes horribly bad, but horribly good. I'll ignore the fact that Gary didn't believe me when I said how they were cooked and had to check with the MD. You'll know better next time

Fay Maschler thought very highly of him whilst he was at Foliage quite a few years ago and Marina o' Loughlin ( who she? ) thought his food good during his brief stint at the now defunct Pharmacy. And I suppose Jay knows his onions Be rude not to try it, seeing as you are staying there

Sterling chap that you are Thom, may I just say how delighted and grateful I am that you have selflessly taken it upon yourself to eat the entire friggin menu; before we lunch there together.

I rather enjoyed it actually. Apart from the celebrity fawning, but then it's that sort of show- isn't it? I don't think there is a food programme on earth that would satisfy and tick every box for the viewing public- let alone "know it all" foodies like us I thought Giles Coren's Donner Kebab Nirvana was the best thing on the programme.

the trick is to let them think they wear the trousers ...... ← No, I agree with Allan. She has the brains, looks and could easily beat seven bells out of him if crossed. Terrible taste in blokes though.

It's official then Thom. Gary will be made to sit in the corner in a Kimono like the Ladyboy that he is.

You great big jessie Sounds a bargain though Don't expect any set lunch nonsense next month

I think you are confusing me with the "honourable" Yorkshireman above. I always forget to use my bloody ones, let alone use yours up. I end up trying to get rid of them every September before they expire.

Don't get me started - I still have my Football 1978 album

Enough already. I am bringing this trip forward. Loved Jay's description of the Spicy Hot Poached lamb. That alone is enough to get me there.

We'd be welcome because you are fond of my son and missus. That and the fact that we are actually willing to pay for the slop you serve up And my hands are never grubby. Serious question- Did your score remain the same this year btw?