Bapi

I agree- even a simple Carbonara sauce prepared in front of them would prove that it doesn't just come out of a jar or a ready meal pack from Tesco. But as they live near the sea- what about some simple fish and seafood dishes? Fish pie, your squid dish from Margot's menu or linguine with crab and parsley?

No, no- I am still here. Yes- I am up for it for sure. Email me and we'll get a date sorted. It bloody be better than Panacea. Look at the cocking mess of the menu. No wonder Gary spat his dummy out. Just look at how many dfferent countries the menu dishes comprise of.

I'd change offy! ← Blimey - I'm with Howard. Even my local dining pub knocks the 2004 out at £34.

I have loved all three of my meals at the Fat Duck, but have always wondered why, with Heston's obvious talent, the menu rarely changed. Such that invention seem to have possibly been sacrificed in favour of honing his dishes to perfection. But last nights programme was just brilliant; Heston's invention at its very best. I defy any of you to watch the goose dish being pepared and not try and crawl into the telly. I am booking a table for the New Year for sure.

Well I rather liked it. Mumtaz has become a huge operation since it's inception in 1979, the first sign of this being the massive car park solely for the restaurant located on the other side of the road. The second being that it takes up a huge row of buildings compared to its humble beginnings. It is a bit bling and corporate inside - but I can forgive that if the food is up to scratch and in the main, it was. We started with a massala mirch each and an aloo tikki to share. The former being a large Kashmiri chilli roasted with various spices within it, before being deep-fried in a gram flour batter. Not good I am afraid. The spices seemed a little rugged and too harsh. The gram flour batter was also way too thick and added nothing except substance. Sadly this happened again with the aloo tikki, the potato content within, though pleasant, was negligible compared to the amount of gram flour that encased it. Things improved immeasurably with the lamb chops starter. Not quite as aggressively spiced as the ones at Tayyabs - but fabulously tender whilst still being nicely charred at the ends. Mains arrived quite soon after and I had opted for the karahi lamb sookha bouhna that Jay mentioned in his piece. A very nice dish indeed. A real home-style curry with the meat being cooked on the bone. Hence one is treated to little bits of the bone marow within -which were absolutely delicious. Though judging by the diameter of the bones- these little critters are offed at quite a young age. My friend had a karahi chicken do-piaza. Which I am sure a lot of you know translates as two-onions. Very good again- though he did ask for it to be of medium strength and he deemed it " very nice but not very hot". With a garlic naan, some pilau rice and a couple of soft drinks it came to £35. So not incredibly cheap, with our mains coming in at around £7.50 ish. But certainly worth every penny and I will be returning with the family shortly.

Nice write up Gary. I drive past the Great Gonerby turning at least once every six weeks and bizzarely will be doing exactly that in about 6 hours time, to pick the Mother-in-Law(gulp). I always say to the Missus that I would love to go but have yet to do so. Were you suprised at the pricing? I thought it quite high - till I remembered that Hambelton Hall is also in the same price bracket.

You are quite right Jon- but it was the respective double whammy of Jay writing about searching for lamb chops as good as those at Tayyabs here. and Gary mentioning the very same place that swayed me. I can honestly say- that other than friends, the only thing I miss about London is Tayyabs. I don't live very far from Bradford now (in fact I didn't realise quite how close ) - so will certainly venture there to try Kashmir and Karachi too.

Cheers- We are thinking Mumtaz this time and will try a Curry cafe next time round. I think your mention of Tayyabs was the clincher as well as a review of Jay's from last year. Cheers all. I'll report back.

Oh Good man Jon. No need to impress as with a friend and colleague, who I am educating A recent Red Chilli convert no less. In all honesty - I fancied a curry cafe more than a slick operation like Mumtaz. Is Kashmir on your radar at all? I will now reconsider Karachi- cheers.

I am bringing this thread back from the dead as I am in Bradford on Thursday lunchtime with a friend. Any other recommendations anyone? Everything I have read about Karachi suggests that it is trading off the Stein link- even naming a curry after him Having looked at the GFG and Hardens - it's either Mumtaz for a slightly more upmarket curry or a curry cafe called Kashmir on Morley Street. Cheers.

1-You eat at Gregg's ? 2-It's been a while since I have eaten out at a high end establishment admittedly, but I am fairly certain one isn't supposed to bloody drink the toiletries.

Thanks for that -I will look forward to receiving it soon.

Mmmm- I am not a fan of the programme, but I did see him leave the Jungle this weekend, which was apparently on Saturday. I and possibly his wife-also saw him mouth the words " I love you" on national telly to his new partner. The very next day, his estranged wife closes the restaurant. Pure coincidence?

Any joy? I am still waiting.

There you go Sir

Eeek- ahem to that....

Oh come on Gary- have you never heard the expression "Hell hath no fury like a ..........."?

Oh, the irony. My Missus- who is similarly food obsessed- was at a Black Tie do at the Dorchester do this week. She said that the food they had their banquet was the best she had ever had at such an event. Perhaps the corporate hospitality chaps could teach Mr Ducasse's minions a thing or too .....

As a further aside- I see that the former Hind's Head chef (and I think Riverside Brasserie)- Dominic Chapman has moved on. He's gone to work for long time Bray resident - Parky. See here.

More bleating I am afraid. But this place just gets better and although we have had a few meals here since I last posted - Simon's cooking has undoubtedly stepped up a notch considering todays lunch. This is also borne out by the fact they picked up the 2008 regional award with Harden's recently- well deserved too. They have introduced a winter menu which, naturally we sampled at length. First up was seared foie gras on gyspy(french) toast with caramelised mango. An absolutely joyous dish- the sweetness of the mango was intensified by a dusting of vanilla- which in turn, counteracted the rich foie gras. Then came pan fried scallops- served with risotto, redolent with jamon iberico and a paprika foam. Bugger me this was good- the scallops were spot on with just the right amount of crust and the risotto was cooked beautifully. Next came baby monkfish tail with an Asturian bean stew and clams. Cooked on the bone- the fish was wonderfully tender. The beans gave an excellent contrast in texture and the clams, with their sweet flesh, finished the dish perfectly. Finally, came a very generous portion of Rabo de toro with a horseradish mash. An Andalusian oxtail stew- deeply rich in colour with melting meat, flavoured with rosemary, garlic and carrots amongst other things. Accompanied by perfect pommes puree, judicously flavoured with horseradish and a drizzle of good olive oil. To finish the horror had far too much of their locally made ice cream than is conventionally acceptable for a minor and we had a chocolate delice dusted with space dust. With a few other dishes and too much Cava for the Moo Cow, we left just £70 quid lighter; which was a steal for food of this calibre. I have said it before- we are bloody lucky to live here and have this (and other equally good places) on our doorstep.

Cheers Matt- I seem to remember getting an e-mail saying that they would be distrubuted in late October -so thought I may have missed out.

Absolutely delighted for them- well deserved in my opinion. I may possibly have voted for them Has anyone else who filled in the forms, contributing to this years Guide, received their copy yet?

You bloody tease- more details please Scott and you to please Andy, after Monday. I am utterly gutted I can't make for lunch with Tubby Friar and the Pink shirted power dresser Marshall next week.

Good for you Sir.