Corinna Dunne

Great idea. And combined with a Michel Roux masterclass, this would be a really interesting programme. And no, I don’t think we’re talking to ourselves on this one. Surely everyone is sick of the “good television” boyband approach to selecting contestants: the good looking one, the deluded one we feel sorry for, the hard worker, the talented one… actually, that even sounds like an improvement. And accessible food and bistro dishes with a bit of foam over function thrown in have been done to death. I really think that most people are ready for a true behind the scenes look at cooking at the top end. And not some fast edit, but something that really informs. BTW, I know everyone worships MPW, but to be honest, I think he’s just out to make the maximum money doing the least possible work at the moment. That means loads of TV, plenty of appearances and a few rants that get him press coverage. I don’t blame him for it (after all, Gordo is making a fortune at it and he has obviously decided to get in on the act), but I think Michel Roux would be a far worthier anchorman for the revival of the classics. First and foremost, he is a chef, a highly talented chef, and he has obviously got provenance. He is not personality driven. He is straight and honest, and a breath of fresh air.

Well worth including Hisop. It's nearly two years since I was there, but my brother and his family were there about a month ago and were hugely impressed... and, the prices haven't changed since I'd been. Be sure to have the wine pairing if you go... just 12 euro, unbelievable value. They were also incredibly accommodating with the children; made them a special non-alcoholic cocktail and replaced a few of the dishes.

I agree. Michel Roux and the Escoffier slot are the most compelling aspects of this twist on the series. Listening to Wallace generally repeat what Roux has said adds nothing and it would probably be completely farcical if they tasted the dishes separately as Roux’s opinion is really the only one that matters. Really good to see the classics back on the radar. A Roux Cooks the Classics programme would be very interesting, and I suspect have a larger audience than TV heads would expect (if the accepted belief is that people watch and don’t cook). And in a bizarre way, it would feel fresh and new.

An update on the Irish restaurant scene and some info in the Irish Times here on the Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards 2008. Some very popular winners, in particular Neven Maguire’s MacNean House and Restaurant, which won Restaurant of the Year 2008. He told me that he’s been putting a lot of work into developing his cellar and wine list this year, which is particularly interesting, given that this was probably the only thing holding him back from getting a Michelin star. I asked him if he was hoping to get one, and he said he wasn’t going after it… hmmm. It would be great to see him land it. A great chef, and an incredibly nice man. Dylan McGrath of Mint was also on top form with his Chef of the Year Award.

You're too modest. Judging by the cheer you got, it was a very popular choice. Sorry I didn't get over to have a chat. Brave man staying out until 2am (along with the other 100s!). I escaped from the Shelbourne at about 8.30pm which was just as well!

More accolades for Dylan McGrath: he won the Food & Wine Chef of the Year Award 2008 yesterday. A very popular winner, he got a standing ovation.

Congratulations to Alexis Bar and Grill and Patrick_O on winning the Food & Wine Leinster Best Restaurant Award 2008. Well deserved. And I reckon it has to be odds-on favourite for a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the New Year.

I was thinking the same. And of course this is the standard practice for PR these days: slag off a high profile chef, or say something controversial (eg Santi Santamaria's latest rant) and watch the column inches flood in. It's a great spectator sport though.

The casual reference is relative. The room is completely different, much more relaxed and laid back than it was and there is no Michelin starchiness. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not performing at Michelin standard. In fact, the service is exceptionally good. There is no sense of anyone watching the room, but you never have to wait for your wine, water etc to be poured. The food is excellent too and by Irish standards, it is well priced for the quality of the food. Deane’s was awarded (Irish) Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year 2007, and it was well deserved. I’m back there again soon and looking forward to it.

There's a discount of 25 per cent on the food if you want to give it a go before 29th June.

Nice report dharold. I haven't been to One Pico for quite a while. There were plans to have it refurbished, do you know if it has been done?

I noticed that... quick thinking on Gordo Inc's part to steal the march on the game end of things before MPW makes Hell's Kitchen his own.

Gordo goes on the game:

It's definitely worth going to Deane's. As Andy mentioned, it is now much more casual and is downstairs where Deane's Brasserie used to be. There are no amuse bouche or freebie bits any more (except for olives and bread), but the prices are very reasonable and the food is extremely good. The carpaccio of venison is well worth a try if it is on, excellent black sole too. Michael Deane is there nearly all the time, so it's also very consistent. Other places worth considering are Mourne Seafood Bar for very fresh fish in a casual atmosphere (be sure to reserve, it's very busy) and James Street South for a more formal style-conscious dinner.

Thanks for all the reports ljr. I was away, so missed the whole thing. Did Mint take a stand? I saw Dylan McGrath's pic in some of the pre-publicity (Saturday's Indo I think), but Mint is not listed on the Taste website.

Four hours will give you enough time to leave Dublin airport and go for lunch. Malahide is a nearby seaside suburb which is well worth visiting (take a taxi, it's not far). There are three pubs there, the best one for lunch is Gibney's. The food is straightforward, I'd recommend the cod and chips. An alternative lunchtime spot is Cafe Bon, a bistro which is downstairs in Bon Appetit.

Thanks for the report mbernstein. I'm going to Can Roca in the next few weeks and really looking forward to it. What was the price of the menu you had and how many courses were there? The last time I was there, I think there were two different menus as well as an ALC.

More love and effusive praise from Geordie the culinary father on the Great British Menu yesterday. It looks like Jason Atherton has become the culinary son (stepping into the shoes that Marcus Wareing is so eager to kick off, if rumours are to be believed).

Thanks for the post and great pics. What did MPW have to say about dining trends?

Mark Hix gives the low down on burgers in London here.

Well, Gordie’s back on the telly, with a huge audience I’m sure, after his publicity stunt rant about fining chef’s for using out of season produce. This time round he’s everybody’s friend and the new happy clappy F Word looks like a pilot for a US audience, where of course he’ll make a lot more money if the networks bite.

David Thompson will be over in Dublin and doing a special Thai menu at the Four Seasons Hotel from 27-31 May.

Rambo seems to have a thing about fines. When he was over in Ireland to do his PR bit for the opening of his restaurant here, he said that parents who feed their children rubbish should be fined. And it looks like this is going to be his next mission on the F Word where once again, he’s trotting out the get people back into their kitchen line.

I agree. The room downstairs is lovely, particularly the tables by the window, and the atmosphere is so relaxed. It's a very popular spot with chefs on Sundays. Spot anyone?

I had a great meal there back in November. It's really well priced for the quality of the food. Definitely worth a visit and I'd say a stage would be very interesting.