erica graham

Well now we've been to Jessicas (will post a report at some point), and had a good drive around the place, I have to say that is has changed totally from my student days, and we now intend to do a three day "city break" in the summer, so all of the recommendations are going to come in very usefull!!

I experienced the balsamic and oil thing in Dome Brasserie in Selfridges, London years ago, I couldn't believe it when I read people were still suffering it! (It was served with parbaked French baguette if my memory serves)

My mother-in-law is my source for favourite marmalades, so much so that she now knows the rules about visitation rights to granddaughter 1st bring jar of marmelade! I like it best on my husbands homemade sourdough bread, still hot out of the oven!! (I think I'll have to go now for "second breakfast")

To all who have posted!! Thank you all for all the information, I'll let you all know how we get on Tuesday night. Erica

Many thanks to everyone for all your advice. I haven't been to Birmingham since 1989, so I'm really looking foward to it. We were just going to go for a quick look around in the afternoon and then dinner, but now we are going to make a longer trip and really have a good explore (especially looking forward to seeing what they did with the bullring!!) I'll let you all know how we get on. Erica

I would second the recomendation for Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham, or if you are going further into the Cotswolds by car No 5 North Street in Winchcombe Marcus Ashenford and his wife Kate have a great restaurant (1* Michelin. Very good, very friendly.

we're going on a Tuesday so I think we will miss out on the the festivities Broad Street Style!

About the same time is a softer book called The Star Chefs Cok Book, where Tom Aitkins talks about the amazing meal he had at El Bulli back in 1998 too!

Had a quick look at mine- it really captures the time it was written in, I wonder if any of the participants have read it back to themselves ?

Sounds like I'll be reliving my student past!! Can't wait- good food followed by an oppurtunity for some outrageous behavior (not in the same place of course!!)

I think he is working as a conultant (or was last time I heard)

Personally, I wouldn't, you need to ask gethin- although I would like to know too!!

Try Wild Harvest in London 020 74985 397

MMM...I'll DEFINATELY be ringing them. Can't say I'm warming to the B&B idea!!

The apartments look lovely, but are available on weekly lets rather than nightly. Might just give them a ring!!

Any recommendations for accomodation near Jessicas, as we are going next week, and have just decided that we don't really want to drive if it can be helped. Many thanks

Sorry- took my so long to figure out how to reply, that I gave up on anything else more complicated, though I am now going to read and inwardly digest advice pinned today!!

A good book to take with you is by Jane Grigson I think its called French Charcuterie and Pork cooking, although as I've lent my copy to somene I can't remember the exact Title- its got a picture of a sketched pig devided into cuts on the front. Sorry if thats vague- late night last night!

Seeing this post has made me read the entire thread! I have to add my own experience of LG! I have only been lucky enough to eat twice, and both at lunchtimes to keep the bill non scary! On both occassions I have left feeling like the most important person in the room, without any pushy or obtrusive service. We took the bargain set lunch on both occassions (it includes wine, water and coffee, so unless you seriously hit pre and post you know what to expect about £42 each). Yes the food is not pushing the boundaries, but it displays classical French cookery (that lots of people seem to think is boring) at its best, and the cheeseboard is to die for- including French goats cheeses on sticks! I have to admit that on my first visit I had the hangover to end all hangovers (too many martinis the night before!!), and was highly embarassed that I could bearly get the wine glass to my lips. They patted my kindly on the arm, told me not to worry and topped up my water with a knowing smile. To me the displays of warm hospitatlity and professionalism just emodies all that I love about Le Gavroche. We were certainly the youngest and definately least important people that they where looking after on both occassions, but I felt completely at ease and happy, and even though I know that is why we pay them, I was left feeling they were glad we had dined with them, in short our custom was wanted!(that can be a rare thing in this world) We could almost pretend that we lived this lifestyle every day!! I know that I am going on and on so now I'll stop and apologise for my bad spelling after a very late night. Can't wait for my next visit in May!

that site looks like a medical supplies website??? ← yes they do those aswell!! When you go to look around the enormous warehouse there is often loads of strange looking equip in the back - bit ofputting!! But if you look on the website they show the dates for all the actions coming up- mormally 2 per month for catering equipment but yes, the site is hilditchauctions (sorry haven't used it for a while!!)

I read an article in the NYTimes about closed restaurants auctioning of their used gear. Does anyone know of this sort of thing in the uk? ← There are a number of specialist auction companies, one of which is Hilditch, www.hilditch.com I think if you log on they list all the auctions, but you really do need to go and view to see if equipment works- they give you an extension lead to an elec. point, you plug it in and thats it!! So sometimes its a risk, but on a quiet day there are some amazing bargains to be had

The Japanese restaurant is called Nippon Kan at The Old Thorns Hotel- I have never eaten there but they are said to do good sushi and tepenyaki. 36 on the Quay in Emsworth and JSW in Petersfield are both a must- I've eaten at both - the lunch menu at JSW is a bargain , and the wine list biblical. 36 do a good gourmand "the little big one" and also have some lovely rooms to stay over in which overlook the Quay (funnily enough!!)