ravelda

Not at all Raj, we have had events at a number of places including Nobu, Sketch and Petrus using their private rooms (not sure how many Petrus took though) and were offered extremly good menus. I would give them a try and if no luck look on the website I mentioned

Good point Jon, Chinese places are the most likely to have that much space. Try looking at www.squaremeal.co.uk Raj, you can search there by restaurants that do private rooms for groups and the site also tells you how many they can accomodate.

Mews of mayfair have a pretty big room and at £60 per head you should be well over their minimum charge. Nobu also has pretty good capacity in their private room. I think Petrus has a decent sized on but not 100% sure Hope this is of some help. Best, David

Well, Hibiscus is soon to open in London, so your timing is pretty good Catriona

ameiden, I have to disageree - I think Clardges 100% deserves its star. It serves classic dishes, perfectly executed, and when compared to some of its peers is a country mile ahead. I have only ever had one or two duff dishes there ever, and they were only duff in that they were rather un-inspirational.

Has anyonwe been to Glasshouse in Kew recently? I can imagine that loosing its strar - the food has totally lacked imagination and flair on my last couple of visits

I think you are absolutely right Matthew. By the way, where are your predictions, I would have thought you would have thrown a dice and given us your hot picks?

And Gordon Ramsay seemed not to trip up as his tribe were growing! In fact he went on to get his tree stars!

Galvin's Bistro Deluxe does indeed have a BG I agree with you Champagne Sadie that Arbutus doesn't deserve a star, IMHO it should be a BG - interesting that you feel L'atelier is a no chance - with the way Michelin work I would have thought it a guaranteed star Re: Tom Aikens - despite what some reports say, I have had some fantastic meals there, and their bread and cheese board are truly divine!

Soba in the square behind Totenham Court Road tube, next to the Hari Krishna place is quite good for cheap bowls of noodles and Jpanaese soups etc - cheaper than Wagamama too!

Ok, here are my predictions: Petrus up to 2* Tom Aikens up to 2* La Noisette 1* La Tompette a possible 1* (although I hope not as I don;t feel it is worth it) Le Champignion Sauvage up to 3* (it certainly deserves it) Possible 1* for Pearl Star or Bibe Gourmand for Arbutus Possible star for the Wolseley Star for L'atelier du Joel Robuchon Probably way off the mark, but ther you go! Am guessing it is too early for St.Alban and Scotts, but maybe next year?!

You may find the following links helpful - one of them has the oppotunity to have a coaching session with the now famous Fergus Drennan: http://www.wildmanwildfood.co.uk/ http://www.foraging.com/ http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly...1453404,00.html http://www.naturali.co.uk/wild-food-foraging.html http://foragingpictures.com/ Hope this helps! David

Wow - those guys in Canada are quick - on your advice Roger, I ordered Au Pied De Cochon and it arrived today - quick glance at it and it looks pretty good! At least I get one present I will like this year (even if I did get it for myself!) Thanks for the head's up Roger!!!

Wow - those guys in Canada are quick - on your advice Roger, I ordered Au Pied De Cochon and it arrived today - quick glance at it and it looks pretty good! At least I get one present I will like this year (even if I did get it for myself!) Thanks for the head's up Roger!!!

Nice review Andy - interesting to see some similar items to the tasting menu I had back in October. I rally must sit down over Christmas and put all my outstanding revies up before there are too many and too out of date!

Deffinately here in the UK and not exclusively USA. M&S used to sell the bloody things in their nasty metal trays alongside chicken Kiev.

Thanks Rachel - I know it is available online, but there is nothing as satisfying as reading from cold hard paper!

Marrow ravioli also works well in something like a cauliflower soup - divine!

I am so annoyed that I missed OFM this month as well - the trouble with being ill and having a wife who thinks there are other things more important than food and wine - I mean really! I have tried about 8 newsagents so far to see if anyone can get me a back-issue to no avail - don't suppose you are full of Chanukah spirit and can help at all Jay?

Fantastic stuff - and well deserved! Are you going to be at the restaurant at all over the next couple of weeks Phil?

Matthew - you are costing me a bloody fortune! You are driving me back to places that havn't been visited by me for a year of so with your reviews and rapidly bankrupting me!

Isn't that one of the places that Anthony Bourdain went to on the second series of No Reservations - he had a phenominal amount of duck and Foie Gras, all rather rustic, but looked like a fab (albeit artery clogging) meal?

Andy - have you not seen star wars?! I can just see heston in his Jedi outfit with dry ice rising around him (adding special effect and freezing his ice-cream simultaneously) with blow torch in hand and telling his staff to use the force!

Quince always goes well - as does fresh fig. You could also make a sauternes honey so it would work well with your wine too.

Ok, my list (again in no particular order): Le Vacherin in Chiswick Bacchus Pied a Terre Tom Aikens Petrus