battleofthebulge

Osteria Le Logge Via del Porrione 33 (just off the Campo) Siena Agree totally with the other review here. Superb restaurant, friendly staff, and excellent location. We had a late lunch and sat outside. To my shame, I can't remember exactly what we ate, but I do remember it was one of the best meals of all our travels around the Orcia Valley. The sommelier was particularly helpful - I asked for a Malvasia from the Veneto, which was on their list but hadn't arrived yet (this was a strange phenomenon I encountered in a number of restaurants on our way round ...) so we had an interesting discussion about this particular wine and eventually took an excellent Sauvignon Blanc. Will try and find the bill, but from memory it was a reasonable 35 euro a head for 2 courses, wine and water. Sarah

One of the members of our book club has become a vegan. Now, I've found a great roast portobello mushroom w/rocket polenta recipe for mains, but I'm stuck for dessert, so I thought I'd ask the experts Obviously I could do fruit and / or sorbet, but the weather here is wet and chilly so I'd rather have something a bit more comforting. What on earth can I make with no dairy or eggs?? Sarah

Preferably both, whatever is most likely to impress a very fussy step-mother

Splendido is right at the top of my list, thanks to all the helpful reviews on here. I'm pretty certain the out-laws have already been to Canoe and Susur. Was also thinking of Amuse Bouche - waiting for a review from an egulleteer Have also been checking out the vineyard restaurant reviews, and salivating over the menus on the websites!! Thanks again for your suggestions. Sarah

Ah ha! Perigee sounds interesting - thanks! Sarah

We're coming over to visit the out-laws in September and I'd like to do something a bit special. As we're used to London prices, Toronto is a *dream* for eating out, and cost isn't an issue. I was wondering, are there any good places which have a chef's table? Has someone mentioned one at George? Can't find any info on their web site. All ideas welcome! Thanks Sarah

Oops too late for you. Sorry! We ate at Kensington Place last week and I was pleasantly surprised, as I thought it might have passed its sell by date. Very good value dinner set menu - £24 for 3 courses, £39 with wine. Cooking was great. The wine list is excellent - they have a S. African Sauvignon Blanc called 'Life from Stone' which is a fave of ours. Very buzzy, full of Notting Hill types. Where did you go, in the end? Sarah

Dinner at Pattersons Saturday 2nd July First, a word of caution about the menu prices. They're running a 50% off a £40 set menu on toptable (I think). However, we didn't book this, and were initially given a menu where the starters, mains and puddings had individual prices, with each course the same price irrespective of choice. Can't remember exactly how much each course was, but if you added the three up it came to £35. When we were offered the menu again to make our pudding choice, the price was given at the bottom as £40 for three courses. So, there are differently priced menus - with the same food. Didn't see anything on the £40 version which was any different to the one which added up to £35. Anyway, to the review. We booked early, 7.30, so the restaurant was pretty empty. And even when it filled up a bit it still didn't feel very atmospheric. The staff didn't seem to be having fun, either. We didn't order a starter, which was a mistake because it seemed to take a verrry looong time for our mains to appear, even though we were the only ones eating at that stage. His lobster lasagna was superb - small, but extremely rich with a wonderful cream/shellfish reduction. My chicken (mistake I know I know never order chicken) was rather dull. Roast bit of bird, with sloppy mash, redeemed only by the very tasty leek. Not often you get leek, and this was a goodie. Pudding was stunning: presented on a slate, in three parts. Part the first: a small cube of chocolate fudge supporting a lollipop chocolate mint. Part the second: a miniature milk bottle and straw containing a rich (slightly too sweet) chocolate milkshake. Part the third: a rectangle of chocolate fondant on a crispy chocolate base, topped by a circle of spun sugar and a wavy sort of chocolate crisp. We shared it, and even just having half made me feel over-sugared! Wine list was relatively short and a bit overpriced. We had a Spanish white - Albarino - which was a bit sweeter than I'd have expected, but still went well with the very rich seafood. Verdict: some very interesting ideas, patchy cooking, nonchalant service. Sarah