Scottf

It was female??!!

30 seconds for my bit actually.

That's a fair point Macrosan and one I was thinking at the time when he was talking about Langoustines from Scotland. I like Stein because he's passionate and he cooks stuff uncomplicated enough for me to feel comfortable with trying myself. However his best of British produce was then hijacked by a Massala sauce and a Moroccan sauce vierge, hardly best of British.

Henry Have you ever gained anything revelatory that you now do yourself, from a former protege since they have left you, that has himself gone on to a senior chef position?

Henry From the menu of his meal Andy posted on his website it appears the cost of a meal at Racine is very reasonable especially considering location. Is this a conscious effort or do you anticipate prices rising as what happens with most new openings?

Hi Henry When you have some spare time do you go out to restaurants yourself? If so what is your favourite?

Tony Adam Lawrence reviewed in Feb. http://forums.egullet.org/ibf/index.php?s=...=4756&hl=croque

Great post Tony! Sounds like you had a fantastic time. Pleased to be home?

I believe Sam was making a general point that T Wells is easily accessible from London if anybody fancied a break from the hustle and bustle I wonder if Magnolia preferred Hotel Du Vin to Thackeray's. I grabbed a menu from Hotel du Vin a couple of weeks ago and it sounded quite interesting without setting the pulse racing, plus I think you still need to order sidedishes which gets my goat. Thackeray's has a website with menu for anybody that's interested: http://www.thackeraysrestaurant.com I've read a lot of good things about La Terrasse but it's a bit of a trek from where I am. Worth a special visit?

And funnily enough so do we seeing as we only live 10 mins away. Because YOU approach from a different angle doesn't make someone else "geographically challenged".

Glad to here you liked Hotel Du Vin Magnolia, Sam and I only live 10 mins away and we've been a few times though not lately as we always seem to get lured by the bright lights of London! That's the second decent rec I've had today for Thackeray's so I'll have to give it a spin sometime soon.

The feelings mutual Yvonne I didn't think I'd enjoy the spleen but thought it very tasty, and I can see why the Bone marrow gets such raves. But for me, (and I think I'm agreeing with Macrosan here from another thread), the highlight was the chips with the chicken. Sensational.

But I'm not embarrassed about that, it's good stuff. Actually I'm not really embarrassed about any of them, they all serve a purpose especially when I'm out on the piss.

On a recent visit, Sam and I lunched at UP after dinners at Blue Hill, Veritas and GT. I will write up in more detail when I get a moment but I found UP to be a breath of fresh air and was my favourite meal of the trip. I had Yellow curry and Baby calamari, Halibut with young ginger,pork and shallot cracklin, and Choc fondant and Hazelnut parfait. The dishes were slightly sweet but for example the main had like a Shallot marmalade which was sweet. Every time I got close to wincing at the sweetness the savoury cracklin' kicked in to counteract the shallot. I found it to work a treat but Sam thought it was too sweet. Each to their own I suppose.

McDonalds Burger King KFC Wimpys Wetherspoons Brewers Fayre Little Chef Motorway service stations They're just off the top of my head. I've been bluffing on here for too long, it's time to come clean

What about a homemade coleslaw?

I was given dessert wines at both GT and Union Pacific recently by male staff. I wonder if they were trying to tell me something....................

Cabrales Please share how you reacted to this

JD Interesting you should mention oversalting. That's 3 members on this thread that have said the same Perhaps Wareing should put more effort in to correcting his seasoning rather than fighting the AA.

This may be of interest: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml...24/ixwmain.html Quite a narrow view in my opinion. Perhaps he should have come here for some recommendations first

Gavin If you haven't been to La Trompette yet, although no stars at present, I think a lot were surprised it didn't get one in last years guide. I'm going to Pied a Terre tonight and I'll let you know how that fits in with the other starred restaurants I've been to recently.

Very informative post David, thanks. I ate at Clos de Gourmets in May and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal there. Sam's Pork cheeks and mash was sensational. We sat at the table in front of the bar next to the post, and I faced right into the kitchen. It was interesting to watch the small brigade (3 + dishwasher) in such a confined space produce some pretty good food.

I've not been to The Square or Tante Claire , so you may want to discard my recommendation but I've been to The Capital pretty regularly over the last 18mths and have thoroughly enjoyed it every time. My wife was at JBR a couple of weeks ago and nearly fell off her chair when I told her it had 2 stars. I think her comment was something about minus stars...........

Cabrales If the female at The Capital is the one I'm thinking of and have had on occasion, she is actually the Maitre'd for breakfast whom occassionally covers lunch/dinner. I had to ask, (though not her, one of the waitresses ), as she was quite pushy in relation to cheese/ extra drinks etc. I believe the Maitre'd is in fact a tall, dark Frenchman