Kikujiro

Okay, 'cos this is confusing me. I have some Seychelles cinnamon which are those standard sticks that are cassia, right? But I also have big bits of cinnamon bark. However, the bark is Lebanese (I've also found it sourced from China) and my understanding is that China at least and probably the ME grows cassia, not 'proper' cinnamon, which I presume to be your zeylanicum and is native to Sri Lanka, yes? On the other hand, my Big Bits o' Bark look nothing like my light-brown Sticks o' Cassia. How do I know which they are, and if they're cassia, where do I get the other stuff? ps. I think we want regular posts on your weird Historico-Cooking. Have you considered proposing a series to the BBC? The Elizabethan Kitchen or something?

Ah, but what kind/s of cinnamon?

Adam, what are you planning to do with it?

Am not a big fan of Cafe Spice Namaste, certainly compared to other restaurants cited above.

Current and potential riesling fans in the UK may be interested in a tasting event on 17 March. From the blurb: Great Riesling Tasting Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London SW1 Monday 17th March 2003 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm Tickets: £ 10 each Available from: Jenny Smith, Montrachet Fine Wine Merchants 59 Kennington Road, Waterloo, London SE1 7PZ Telephone: 020 7928 1990 Fax: 020 7928 3415 Email: jenny@montrachetwine.com (I'm assuming the organisers won't mind me posting this info, which came in an email from my local Oddbins.)

Some of the noveau-haute Indian places are worthwhile on their own terms. I've actually found Vama more consistent than Zaika but I haven't been to the latter enough to warrant going against the tide. Try either of those, and then go to New Tayyab near Whitechapel for meat (add me to the list of converts) and Kastoori in Tooting for veg. Haven't been to Rasa for ages but it used to be great. Has Bombay Brasserie improved in recent years?

I've seen the countertop and teeth methods but not the lighter one. Another that nobody's mentioned is to hold the bottle firmly and whack the underside of the cap rim with something like a solid metal spatula. Cap flies off. You need good aim. I don't have it but friends of mine do.

Valdespino. Barrel aged using the solera system (like some rums), from barrel fermented wines.

Bonito is sometimes canned but not, surely, garden variety?

CathyL: how did you know?

Isn't it bonito? The Spanish can it.

Fighting words. But thanks. Last (and only) time I visited the O2 centre I ended up in a very sad PizzaExpress, watching the locals order sides of salad dressing to spread on their pizzas.

Well, Patogh didn't open until 1.30, an hour after we got there, so Mandalay it was. It's at 444 Edgware Road, but I missed off a 4 when transcribing the address, so we got to walk the entire length of the street and work up an appetite. Caff-like atmosphere, shading the blaze outside. Kind of subdued when we arrived but the dos gros hermanos, to steal a phrase, were welcoming to a fault. Indeed, as others arrived, it looked very much like we were the only punters that weren't intimately-known regulars. Quickly established the lunch menu we'd been given wasn't the one we were after. Based on partial recall of RickBehl's advice, ordered the leafy green fritters; green papaya and cucumber salad; pickle-style lamb; aubergine and potato; noodles with king prawn and cucumber; and took additional suggestion of some plain rice. All very satisfying; particularly the lamb and aubergine dishes. Would definitely return. 30 quid for two including still water and service. Cheers, Tony and Rick.

I'm not sure about Passione if you want a 'lively/buzzy atmosphere'. I think it has a positively weird feel to it. verging on alienating and repressive. Shame, as the food's good. Suppose I should give Cigala another go. I went early on and was unimpressed.

Based on those, Moro and Eyre Bros (haven't been to latter for a while) sound appropriate. Both will come in at under £150 for two unless you go mad on the wines. Also, I second Zafferano and would be keen to try Locatelli. (How much is River Cafe these days?)

Thanks, both. I'll present choice of Patogh and Mandalay and see what he thinks.

Meeting a colleague for lunch and due to Central Line hoopla we are converging on the Pink Slow-as-Shit Line around Edgware Road. Wondering where to try around there: is Patogh the best option? Or ... ?

How about this? Not making claims that it isn't hysterical, but would be interested to know before I take it all in, as Cabby would say.

Not an issue over here, as irradiated beef isn't allowed in Europe. The UK will apparently in theory allow some irradiated foods, including poultry, but so far has only granted licenses for herbs. IR foods have to be labelled. I note that the US administration's desire to change the labelling requirements over there goes hand in hand with its threat to bring a WTO action against Europe for labelling GM foods. Informed consumer choice seems a low priority with these folks.

Mike, you might also want to try Gerry's Wines and Spirits on Old Compton Street in Soho. It's where I buy my Zacapa and I think they have a fairly wide range (although vodka is where they really go to town).

I think this question went unanswered. I'd love to get some advice on freezing herbs. I have worked out that I can get many of them much cheaper and usually fresher in Chinatown, but the quantities are invariably massive. Also, how much difference is there in use once they've been frozen, and do you defrost or use straight?

I didn't claim it was alright, I just decided it was necessary.

Italian bread is on the whole way below French, but Venice deserves a second chance from the Plotnickis. I drink wine every day, so I conclude it's okay for me to enjoy the occasional Zinfandel.

General question on the Player Club: I've read carefully through the website and I think it says that entry is members-only after 11 (but not before then). Or is it members-only all the time (despite the Time Out review they reproduce)? Could Simon, Jay, or another barfly clarify ... ?

I must say I'm a little affronted that Mr De Groff did not check my schedule before organising this. You must all go and make the evening such a big success he is tempted to repeat it.