Jenny McClure

Many years ago, I convinced my friend that my Mum's chicken Liver pate was this new breakfast spread ( if she knew what it was she would never have tried it, I really thought once she did she would be converted forever). The look of digust when she did try it and the subsequent retching in our toilet, when she found out what it actually was, made me feel very guilty indeed.

My Mum has some food colouring in the pantry that still have the price on them. The price is in schillings. That was the currency before sterling!!

This definatley is the ugly. I just started working for a small company (small but we are agents for a huge Taiwanese company) They just informed us that everybody, as of this week, had to put down $5 a week for the Christmas party????!!!!! Never have I heard of such a thing. It's time to start looking again

Great Review Curlywurly!!! You've got the old brain ticking, now how can I wangle an afternoon off, so I can have a leisurely girly lunch?

I also recommend Hakkasan, even for just some great cocktails at the bar

My husband & I are arriving into New York on Friday evening. With American Airline flights being the way they have been out of San Juan recently I would rather not have to deal with the posiblity of missing a reservetion, OK, I'll get to the point. We were going to risk a walk in at Casa Mono, if this does not work are there any other great dining experiences in the area that also do walk ins? While I'm here, what about after dinner? Any nice bars to have a few drinks after? In the same kind of area would be a plus, but not a necessity. Many Thanks in advance.

Fresh hot toast, nutella, topped with slices of banana.....

Yes, the mince is mincemeat or ground beef. Sorry, I meant minced meat, not mincemeat. Probably just confused everyone more

Not only is her kitchen co-ordinated, but her clothing aswell. In one episode she was had made a "dress" out of the same fabric that was used as her tablescape and the curtains in the kitchen. WTF!! I think she aspires to be one of those scary women in the Stepford Wifes!!

The Porter House is the best. I went to University in Dublin and spent many a Friday night there. Great beer, but lethal !!!!

Shame on me for spelling Guinness wrong. I didn't even realise until I saw your thread.

Now I'm worried. We are going for a weekend soon with some friends and they have planned sat. lunch at La Mela. They say it's the best!!! Is this such a bad choice? Do you have alternates that maybe I could deter them with?

This is so true. Guiness does not travel at all. Even my Guiness drinking friends will say that even in Scotland and England, Guiness from the tap does not compare to Guiness in Ireland. From a can....forget about it. I can't imagine what their opinion of canned guiness in the States would be.

My Step-Grandmother also was somewhat stingy. When people drop by in Ireland it is customary that all Irish Grannies, aunts, great aunts etc, try to feed you to death, they simply will not accept or try to comprend a refusal of another sandwhich or bun. This Grannie was the exception. A wealthy lady so it was not a money thing. She would come in and ask everyone exactly how many sandwiches, biscuts or buns etc. they though they might want, so she wouldn't risk putting out to much. The worst thing was any food that she did serve was typically so stale you could bounce it off the walls!!!

I know we're not that big a country but us Irish say barbeque too!!! Add us to the list

I can't make decent boiled potatoes (I'm Irish, so it is kind of unconceivesble to my Mum). They are alwats, mushy, undercooked, some are cooked, and others aren't or the texture just isn't right. I can cook a potato in any other way, just not boiled. My family are convinced I'm lying to get out of it. but I really can't.

Lilt is still around. I believe it is pineapple & grapefruit. I get my fix every time I go back home. Ribena is another one I miss. It is a blackcurrant drink. It comes either premade or in dilutable from. My favourite thirst quencher when hungover.

Yesterday: Sepia a la plancha. Cooked to perection, with a subtle hint of garlic.

Aero, crunchies, liquorise allsorts cadburys fruit & nut and smaties are all found in Britain in Ireland. Chips & vinegar also.

Wine Cheese Smoked Salmon If wine doesn't count, then Grannie's homemade wheaten bread.

Poutine is just one of the late night munchies where I come from (N. Ireland). Except we don't call it that and over here it is chips peas and gravy. Another one is chips, fried rice and currry sauce all in one big gloop. Delicious, but only after the pubs are closed. Chips and Mayonaise also. I'm sure thare are more, they'll come to me.

I guess it's all about what you grow up with, and having recently moved to the States I am disturbed by the populrity of the number of "Grape" flavoured things. To me, it is truly vile and bears absolutely no resemblence to any grape I have ever eaten I also can't stand it when a restaurant drowns everthing in olive oil. I know some dishes need a little splash at the end, but it shouldn't be swimming in the stuff.

Thanks GMI We are staying in a villa and plan to take advantage of the great selection of cheeses and pates thay have in the great supermarches. I'm sure we will hit Mayas to go a couple of times also. I agree with the comments on Eden Rock, we went just after it reopend and were very disappointed...the view is incredible mind you. We are a big group and would like a couple of suggestions where we can have great food, enjoy a lively atmosphere and not have to worry about bothering others if the noise level tends to increase as the night progresses. Andys would be perfect, I know, (food is always good) but we would also like a couple of places a bit more formal.

Hi A group of us are leaving for St. Barth on Fridays. Does anyone have any dining suggestions? Have any new restaurants popped up in the last 8 months or so. What about drinks, places to go after dinner with an atmosphere. We are all in out late twenties-early thirties. Thanks in advance for any suggestions Jenny

I am not an ice-cream fan, (give me a good bar of chocolate any day) but I can alwyas be tempted by the Strawberry Cheesecake flvour. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned it. I do like the Mango Sorbet once in a while also.