battleofthebulge

sem was there too, but she's being coy about posting her thoughts Sarah

We have swapped our reservation to tonight at step-mother-in-law's request, and it sounds like it's still an impossible choice between the rabbit and the lamb Sarah edited for spelling

Also booked in for Wednesday. Taking 3 Canadians, so you can spot us by the accents. Does this give me enough time to make up my mind between the rabbit and the lamb? Any chance of a sneak preview of the wine list?? Sarah

Maybe we'll see you there Sarah ← Sure thing, if you want to meet the step-mother-in-law

We'll book in for the first week Sarah

Here are reviews on london-eating; generally pretty positive: http://www.london-eating.co.uk/268.htm Sarah

Belgo wouldn't be my first choice for good food. I was about to suggest Frankie's at the Criterion, because of the superb room and child-friendly menu, but just checked the latest reviews. They's awful! http://www.london-eating.co.uk/14.htm How about Giraffe on the South Bank, underneath the Royal Festival Hall? Very kid-friendly, reasonable food, fairly priced, and in an excellent location for tourist-ing along the river. http://www.giraffe.net/home.html Or any branch of Zizzi http://www.zizzi.co.uk/searchresults/zizzicentrallondon.html Sarah

Here you go http://www.bar-chocolat.com/ Alas, their online shop isn't working. Sarah

Have you been to Whits on Abingdon Road? Charming service from Eva, excellent steaks and a separate souffle menu as well as the dessert menu! Wine list is a bit limited but the food and ambience more than make up for that. Here are the londoneating reviews: http://www.london-eating.co.uk/4035.htm About £40 a head. Sarah

In the UK, our famous funky chef Jamie Oliver (I think he's travelled over the water too) has lead a very successful campaign to improve school food: http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/J/...ners/index.html Check out Professor F Rankfurther's lab of horror! Sarah

How about Lebanese food at Al Shami? Lots of veggie options and also easy to avoid cheese: http://www.al-shami.co.uk/ Not expensive and will certainly be a welcome change from food in Hall!! Also reasonably central, behind Walton Street. Sarah

Regarding reviews, maybe we should have a thread like the one on the Vancouver forum, where people post quick reviews of the last three places they've eaten at. No need for long screeds with photos, just quick food highlights, overall impression and total bill. Quick to do and gives a really good feel for where's popular and interesting. So, my latest 3 would be The Wine Factory in Notting Hill, Thai Silk in Waterloo and Glas in Borough Market. Anybody else interested if I started this up? Sarah

Ah. Sorry - to us English Costco sounds like some dodgy basement bargain shop. Not exactly Berry Bros and Rudd Sarah

hmm .. I have my doubts .. here's Serena Sutcliffe on the issue of fine wine fakes, especially in the larger bottles ... http://www.decanter.com/news/74235.html Sarah

Sorted. We're going out on the 13th instead :-) Popping round to Launceston Place. Thanks everyone Sarah

That's a great idea! There's Deliverance, which I keep looking at but haven't used yet: http://www.deliverance.co.uk/euro.htm Or I could just go to M&S on High Street Ken and get their gourmet ready stuff, which is pretty good. Decisions decisions. Sarah

But I don't want to!!!! I want someone else to do the work A 10 hour work day followed by 2 hours kitchen prep doesn't leave much energy for anything else ... and no he can't cook. Sigh Sarah

That's what I'm hoping for. And it's a Tuesday so I can't be bothered to cook something special - I suppose I could have Martins Seafood deliver some lobster. Sarah

I know I know it's not like the 14th of Feb creeps up unexpected-like, but I've only just got round to trying to find a table for two somewhere nice that WON'T have a special rip-off Valentine's menu. But not more than £50-£60 a head because I'm still waiting for some invoices to be paid. Have called Racine, La Trompette and Andrew Edmunds. First 2 full, AE only takes bookings a week in advance, and the advice was "call at 10 a.m. on the 7th and keep pressing the redial button - we'll be full within the hour." Any suggestions?? Sarah

They are going to call The Criterion 'Frankie's??? That's nearly as bad as when they turned the lovely bar at the Cafe Royal into 'Cheers'. What is the world coming to? Grump. Sarah

If you fancy a walk by the river, followed by Mama's cooking, I thoroughly recommend A Cena in Richmond. Just across Richmond Bridge on the way to Marble Hill. Square Meal review and more info http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/lo...p?Rest_ID=82260 Sarah

Fab! Will check that out next Friday. Many thanks Sarah

Sheeps milk butter Anywhere in London or Brighton or via the web. Thanks! Sarah