Champagne Sadie

Great hotel - spot on location.

But Culinista, you're saying that strangers actually approach you and ask for your phone number while you are dining in restaurants in Paris? ← Usually the waiters. Really.

I think that Wendy's in the UK vanished after a BBC "sting" about their hygeine - or lack of.

Was there just before Christmas - very good to excellent meal. Most dishes already discussed up thread. I doubt they have moved yet.

Brilliant episode last night. 46 year old chef that had never made a casserole or cooked a mussel. And Gordy took his top off.

Let me assume that your wait person will be a man. IMH experience, French men usually fall all over their shoelaces to be gallant to a woman who is alone. Let them know that you appreciate their guidance and that you enjoy being taken care of. Enjoy yourself. Dining in Paris alone certainly beats not dining in Paris! ← This is spot on. I often dine in Paris alone and you actually get singled out for special treatment - of the nice variety.

Champagne tends to suit food over a billion courses. Worked for me at El Bulli anyway.

Nice. I choose not to watch it, not because of the competitors, but because of Wallace and the format of the show.

I believe the freind in questions was verrry [sic] lactose intolerant. That would have my alarm bells ringing.

Another vote for Bistro du Coin from me. I was 1 of a party of 16 about a year ago and they handled it very very well.

I never said it did. My suggestion (between the lines) was that we live and let live. In pubs people drink. Sometimes they laugh. Sometimes it is noisey Sometimes it is spicey. (That's why pubs are for adults) If it's not your cup tea - stay at home.

No it's not. It's called having a laugh, having some fun, having a life! It might not always seem so funny to an onlooker, but it does not make you a twat. Lighten up - or we'll all be in danger of becoming dul, souless, boring gits.

I see it differently. It's the gastro's taking over the pubs. I think the word would be "loutish"

The chef from Rafa frequently pop's into Las Golondrinas during service to have a cigarette. I've heard good things about Garbet further up the coast.

Let me get this right. 1. You've been part of a rowdy party and this was fine? 2. You were subjected to a rowdy party, this was not fine? Perhaps they didn't want to be in the pub part because of the smoking? Sorry to play devils advocate, but in some cases there is no right or wrong, just acceptance that things are the way they are because.

24 hrs drinking now mate. But you are right on the button with the pub issue. I wouldn't expect rowdy behaviour in a classy restaurant, but within a pub, I almost expect it really. It's part and parcel of the atmoshere.

That's what smileys are for.

This program has been at best slightly interesting, and at worst one of the most cringemaking TV shows ever to be aired. I have time for Torode as he runs a pretty good set up and understands his products. The other chap though is a waste of space selling veg in Guildford. A few episodes back he told some chap "Now that's a plate of decent restaurant food", in the next section when it was just him and Torode were talking he said "I just don't like his food". He wants to make his mind up. I would have been furious if I was the contestant watching the episode. I much prefered the old version.

I really enjoyed last nights show and felt that anyone in the industry (in a bit of bother) could learn from it. I was very suprised to see Gordy take his top off though.

But that makes you just as bad as them. It's a tricky one, but personally, I would have just asked to be moved if possible (you say the restaurant was empty). Or, I may have politely asked them to keep the noise down a tad - it's amazing but simple requests often work. I have pink hair in a pony tail - I must be ghastly.

Try More 4 on Sky and cable. It really (IMHO) wasn't the greatest episode - a bit too moral and preachy.

Patricia Wells has a fantastic recipe that always works for me. I'll look it up for you. I love Tarte au Citron.

Thank you Stephen

I am serious - but for you to compare it to a paraplegic situation is unfair and uncalled for and I'm offended. Think how chef's feel - you get a diner that say's they have a nut allergy,as far as the chef is concerned they have not used nuts in the preparation - but unknown to him one of the ingredients has been produced in proximity to nuts. Diner goes into shock, has near death experience, and sues restaurant. Good luck with finding a restaurant.

I'd consider making her a really nice dinner if I were you. From talking to a chef at the weekend, they hate people warning about allergies and intolerances - it's potentially a legal nightmare for them. Personally, I think it's an unfair burden on the chefs.