Champagne Sadie

I predict Gary Rhodes will win.

I too had this burger a few weeks back, and it's not $59.00, it is $29.00. Very nice too. I quite fancy the selfridges sandwich - but at £85.00 I think not. I'm not sure that all the ingredients combine well.

That's spot on. Those super size chickens that you see in supermarkets are quite literally mutant hybrids on steroids injected with brine. Cook two birds - it'll always taste better, or make an interesting stuffing to pad it out.

Rather than focusing on the venue, you should focus on caterers. I got married a couple of years ago, and found a venue that would allow outside catering (You'll be surprised how many do.) By concentrating on caterers, you will get a much better product than going to a venue that does mass boil in the bag catering. Congratulations - let the stress begin.

I love The Ritz. Yes, I'm sure that there are better out there, but for tradition and atmosphere, it can't be beaten.

Just found this thread! I was lucky enough to have Sunday lunch here a few weeks back - no idea it was so famous! Should have guessed though, because I'm sure I saw Anthony Flinn there. Rib-sticking potato soup to start, followed by the much mentioned roast beef. (The horseradish was scrummy - is this home-made??) I'm waiting for another excuse to go to Yorkshire.

It's 1/2 an hour on a really good RER service - well worth the visit. Astrance is equally very good.

The guy should have gone in the heats - sweating old git. That just about sums up this series. To quote Catherine Tates "gran" - "What a load of old shit."

I've only ever seen the kitchen at LeCS spotlessly clean - never in use. It was good to see, and watching David in action. Contestants and Wallace still painful to watch though.

That is a beautiful picture. Dan is a bread god.

mmmm...I know it's bit selfish, but I'm reluctant to share some of my "best lists". They might run out of my favourite wines if I do. I agree though, Le Villaret has a superb list - food can be very hit and miss though.

Devils Advocate question. How many Paris restaurants from Bistros to the 3*'s would survive without tourists? Having spent a very significant time in Paris over the last 8 years, eating in Bistro's to 3*'s, I am often surrounded by US, UK, Italian, Spanish et al diners. Do the Paris restaurants appreciate the business? Any Parisian restaurant owners out there in Egulletdom??

Final episode of the series tonight, and another interesting one it was. This time a 51 year old chef that did not have a clue. I'm nearly astonished that this thread has not generated any comments from the UK chef fraternity - is this show representative of "the average" chef in the UK? Perhaps this thread could be moved to the UK forum to generate interest/discussion? Oh, and Gordy took his top off.

When will people learn? Greek food tastes great in Greece - crappy and expensive anywhere else.

Impressive post phrederic, - but to niggle - it was very difficult to read on-line. (I had to print it out to read.) It felt very familiar - have you had it published elsewhere?

It's also worth considering rail travel in this area of Spain. Very efficient and cheap. Barca to Girona on the Catalunya Express was about 6 Euros last fall. The line traveling along the coast is very good and scenic too. (Great for Sant Pau and Hispania).

This place holds no appeal for me whatsoever. Part of the dining experience for me is to take in my surrounds and see the food. (I also refused to put on a blindfold at Fat Duck a few months back. )

Nottingham also has the highest rate of gun crime in the UK - I'll be sure to hurry there.

This is making my usual banana and ready brek feel very inferior.

Nobody has mentioned the security ID tags that about 95% of DCer's wear hanging from their necks. I saw so many when I lived there, I thought people had them physically attached. The reason that DC is a tad conservative, is that most people there are either working for the government or meeting somebody relating to official business. DC has the higest rate of hotel occupancy in the US.

But raw fish is yummy and generally healthy.

jgm - you are spot on. Good post.

Ahem, cough, cough! and then there is Japan, land of tea and fish and healthy foods ... ← From the article linked. "Still, the Japanese are a long way from being as fat as Americans. Only 24 percent of Japanese aged 15 and older are believed to be overweight, compared to about 65 percent of adults in the United States."

I do my weekly shop in Waitrose. I have a choice of 4 big waitrose to choose from within a 6 mile radius. Enjoy your Waitrose when you get it.

B. I'm sure Elvis would have loved it though!