Scottf

The English Garden gets a good right up in The Time Out guide and I'd wondered if anyone had been yet. I think the TO review also mentioned it was pretty empty too. Certainly sounds interesting.

I'd 2nd The Capital, the set lunch must be the best deal in London right now. I believe Simon's there tonight so his feedback on dinner should be interesting. Another suggestion is La Trompette, that quite a few of us have been to recently (and I'm sure you've seen today's thread). Excellent value/quality ratio.

I dropped my brother at work the other morning and took a chance to peruse the current menu at the restaurant where he works. On the menu was a Cod dish (can't remember exact description) but underneath in bold type were the words "This fabulous dish is from the famous Nobu restaurant in London" I think that is extending professional respect and courtesy.

In fairness to Chez Bruce (and we haven't been since the refurb) it isn't a particularly large dining room. The odd table is going to be slightly cramped. I can accept that in smaller restaurants space isn't at the top of the list for a restauranteur. However at The Capital, which has probably the smallest dining room I frequent, the tables are large, and particularly spacious from other diners. That does come at a price though, in the region of £53p.h for food at dinner. I find it less acceptable when large restaurants cram tables as it isn't necessary, except to bolster profits. Examples being Mirabelle and Chapter One.

Thanks Cabrales, I hadn't seen that review. I'm in total agreement with Jay.

I enjoyed the food Simon, though more simple than say an expensive French restaurant , it was very tasty. There was plenty on the menu that I'd like to try so I'll go back, something on the night made us feel uncomfortable that I just can't put my finger on. One of those things I guess. Anyway I've off for some Friar................. :wow:

We ate here on Friday night. We’d made the reservation 3 weeks earlier and had to be contented with a 7.30 slot, as the restaurant was full. We arrived at 7.30 and 3 other tables were occupied. By 8 the restaurant was maybe 1/3 full, by 8.30 a half and when we left at 9, ¾’s. That pissed me off. The tempo of the meal was all wrong. As one waiter removed the plate of my starter another placed my pasta course. Mains arrived 40 mins after we had sat down and by the time Sam had finished her dessert we still had nearly ½ bottle of wine to drink. That apart, service was good through out, polite, friendly and knowledgeable. (We did however get our first ever knock back on request of taking a copy menu). On to the food – Very tasty. I had starter of Savoy cabbage stuffed with pork sausages with saffron risotto. It had a light tomato sauce and the risotto was sandwiched between thin, crispy polenta. We both had pasta, Sam Osso bucco ravioli that didn’t lack for filling and had a veal stock sauce. Myself, pasta parcels filled with red onion and Chianti sauce. (Sorry Simon a vegetarian course, you can kick my arse on the pub-crawl!). Even allowing for lack of meat we both agreed this was the tastiest course of the meal; the caramelised onions produced a strong, slightly sweet flavour. Mains were for me Pork fillet with mustard crust, sautéed spinach and bortelli beans. The pork was moist, the dish was very tasty but on the small side. Sam had grilled chicken breast, spinach and sautéed potatoes. The dish was fine but very plain and Sam knew she’d chosen badly on presentation. She felt the gratuitous use of chopped parsley didn’t help and at £14.50 very, very expensive. I ducked dessert as I didn’t feel like parting with any more money but Sam had a very good (and well sized) slice of chocolate and lemon tart with nougatine sauce. I found the meal very tasty, though portions were on the small side. I left bloated due to the speed of the meal rather than full. Damage for 3 courses and a glass of champagne each, plus a bottle of wine £85 before service, which will encourage me to go back. A final note, in full agreement of everybody else, Parmesan sticks and breads were great.

Sam and I, as younger participants to this thread agree with Tony wholeheartedly. We are viewed as freaks between friends and some family because we spend what could be judged as 'a lot of money' on a meal. I've disagreed with quite a lot of what Steve P. has posted on this thread but I guess the above brings me/us more in to his views than against, in a roundabout sort of way. I guess we as Egulletarians, enjoy a very healthy attitude towards food, restaurants, markets, bakeries etc. and we will hunt out what is best and good for us. But can anyone say hand on heart our neighbour does or the bloke a few doors down or across the road? As an aside to Steve P., the markets are monthly which isn't very regular and only really contain cheese and breads. Whilst we were in Paris in January we saw one street market that we stumbled across on a Sunday morning that pisses over anything I've ever seen in England though it galls me to say it. And a Speldhurst sausage is ok (a local sausage in Kent) but it doesn't hold a candle to an Appledore sausage which is the best sausage I've ever tasted and thus to me the ' best' sausage in the world

I walked past Zizzi's in Croydon last night and it was packed. My friend said that it's always like that, but weekends were not the best nights to eat there. (Oops - this is Sam not Scott! - He's been messing with my PC!)

I had Ostrich steak in a little restaurant in South Croydon a few years ago. I can't really remember too much about it now except it was particularly salty. If memory serves it was slightly chewier than beef steak also.

Cabrales Sam and I had a 10.30 sitting in January. We arrived at 10.20, took an aperitif and some sausage at the bar and got seated, once a table was available, around 10.45. I wouldn't say from that brief experience that allotted times are strictly enforced. BTW, we were the first to arrive for the 10.30 "slot" and by the time we were seated the queue was going out the door and down the street

Tony Locanda Locatelli, 8 Seymour Street, London W1 (020 7935 9088).

And I'm there next Friday! Sounds great!

I'm pleased to see Les Magnolias gain a couple of points as I thought 14 was way too low. Sam and I enjoyed it so much in January we're booking a return meal for our trip in May.

Just to add that it's on teletext that the 5 city traders that ran up the £44k bill have all been sacked for putting the meal through on expenses!

Sam, I hadn't noticed your name change to Scott

Cabrales The chef said they were much bigger than he thought and that he didn't have a pan big enough to cook them. His preference was to scramble but as we requested fried he wanted to serve them with runny yolks but space prevented him from frying them as he wanted. Neither he or any of the staff fancied trying them

Andy It was the same chef as Sam went into the kitchen and spoke to him about the eggs! Simon You've probably hit the nail on the head. It was almost like the food had come off a production line rather than prepared with any care or attention. Sam said that if she didn't know better, (and does she?!), she thought the pork had been microwaved. It'll be interesting to see how you get on on your next visit.

Andy Haven't been myself but I know Time Out gave it a very good review and just in case you haven't looked there's an example menu on their website. http://www.conran-restaurants.co.uk/restau...aurants/orrery/

Thanks men! As I have 2 Waitrose within a 5m radius it would seem a good place to start. I'm looking to start at the cheaper end as there is no guarantee that I could tell the difference between a £5 or a £50 bottle. By doing this I can hopefully find the countries/grapes/styles I prefer before experimenting at a more expensive level.

Which supermarket chain in the UK offers the best selection of wines or are they a waste of time? Can you buy good wine and how are prices compared to other sectors of the wine industry? As you can probably tell I am but a mere novice so any advice is much appreciated!

I recently told my brother that Ramsay was being lined up to take over at The Connaught when he told me the restaurant manager had become a regular where he chefs. He then told the restaurant owner (where my brother works) who dismissed my gossip out of hand. On the managers next visit he brought along Jerome Ponchelle (Bourdin's RH man and current head chef), so the owner made a joke of my comments. They went down like a lead balloon! They confirmed the rumours, and I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but they're not happy. The Connaught is an institution of fine hotel dining and I can only guess that they feel this will be ruined by the "Ramsay" makeover.

My brother went last night for a birthday celebration and ate the 9 course menu for around £80 I think. He said it was a faultless meal - and by that he meant food,service etc. He heartedly recommends for a special occasion or if you're rather wealthy!

Andy How was the FT menu constructed at Chez Bruce and were the dishes simpler than from the normal menu? (Edited by Andy Lynes at 12:15 am on Feb. 1, 2002)

A few more restaurant websites: http://www.capital-london.net/ including The Capital restaurant with a current (Jan 02) menu. http://www.dolphinsquarehotel.co.uk/rhodes_dinner.asp Gary Rhodes Pimlico restaurant menu. http://www.cuisine-collection.co.uk/ Website for London restaurants Zaika, Al Duca and Il Forno http://www.montcalm.co.uk/ Site for The Crescent restaurant in London http://www.chaptersrestaurants.com/ Webite for Chapter One and Two. Chapter One is excellent value and Sam and I have been a few times. Any one else been? http://www.pied.a.terre.co.uk/ Site for Pied a Terre in London. Using the Gordon Ramsay link fron Sam above you can also see Petrus or just follow this one! http://www.petrus-restaurant.com/ http://www.ransomesdock.co.uk/ Neighbourhood restaurant in South London http://www.putneybridgerestaurant.com/ Michelin restaurant in err... Putney http://www.babbonyc.com/ Babbo in NY. I don't just peruse London websites you know! http://www.fleurdeselrestaurant.com/ Also in NY. I like the look of this menu. May try out on my next visit. http://www.jean-georges.com/ Jean Georges Vongerichten's website. Recently updated to flash version. And lets not forget the website of the restaurant where my brother's the chef: http://www.haxtedmill.co.uk/ So I think you can safely say I for one enjoy restaurant websites!