ravelda

another last minute thought would be Sat Baines in Nottingham - the restaurant has rooms and the food is excellent. It does lack the wonderful views and walks of the other two though! David

What really gets me is that people make a huge issue about foie, the consumption of which, relative to most other food types is pretty much negligible. Surely if they really give a crap about animal welfare they could make far more impact turning their attention to something far crueller and affecting the masses, namely battery chicken? I can't help but feel that most of these people are either just there because they enjoy trouble and damn the cause, or perhaps there is some deeper class/political stimulus behind it.

Northcote Manor is probably a bit of a way out but worth considering otherwise or alternatively why not go to Gidleigh Park - beautiful setting, lovely hotel and good food. Equally you could shoot up to London, book into a nice hotel and choose from one of the many cracking places in the smoke!

Drake's at Ripley?

Pied a Terre? I seem to remember that they use the old bouillabaisse with a sea bass dish I had there a couple of years ago. Hmm, then again so did Tom Aikens, hmmm, no, I will stick with Pied..

The 8p is to make the price resemble the year so £20.08 = 2008!! How clever is that - good old FT!

Mirabelle?

I still think that Kikuchi is better - Hero is great and thanksfully close to where I live but Kikuchi has greater variety of both sushi and other dishes and is, IMHO better across the board

I'm amazed they have had any bookings for this - unless they are all press and being comp'd the menu!

Similar in a stylistic sense, i.e. utilising cheaper cuts with skill to create good bistro food - Great Queen Street and Magdalen would be the first two that come to mind for me, and I at least think they are on a par with Magdalen ahead in my mind. Also Hereford road. Then in the same price bracket there are plenty offering more refined cooking with premium produce. I know you have a personal connection with Demetre and Smith Matt, and don't get me wrong, I am not knocking what they do - quite the opposite, I think their two restaurants are great additions to the London dining scene, however I question why they have been signalled out above the rest and still maintain that I don't believe they deserve a star. I am certainly not the first to make this point and I'm pretty certain that I wont be the last. At the end of the day Michelin have deemed them worthy and that is that, nothing I nor anyone else says will change that fact.

Thanks for that Stephen, as I said, I understand that this is the espoused practice by Michelin, but in my view this is not always reflected in practice. In addition, whilst I think the food at Wild Honey and arbutus (an others in the list who, IMHO don't deserve a star, I don't want these two to be singled out as scape goats) is generally very good, I would not class it as "fine cooking at a reasonable price". Sure, some of the dishes are excellent, some very below par, and whilst the prices are acceptable, I could list a handful of paces offering the same and better quality for similar prices.

I hear what you are saying Matthew, and in theory I would agree that this is the Michelin's espoused criteria for Michelin stars, however I only need to look at LCS where it is often commented that it is the front of house that holds it back from the third star that makes me question this. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of both Wild Honey and Arbutus, but I just do not believe they are Michelin quality. There are plenty of other similar styled bistros that are at least as good or indeed better that have received no stars at all. I can't help feeling that Michelin were desperately looking for somewhere that would demonstrate that they were able to look outside of the stereotypical haute cuisine model to award a star to try to stem some of the negative vices that have been reverberating about the guide and it being behind the times. I will continue to eat at both Arbutus and Wild Honey but just can't see them as Michelin Starred or best in breed within their category.

Matt, I will have a chat with my brother in-law who used an agency and ended up being offered a job as buyer for Selfridges both for their foodhall and thier restaurants. from what I hear there are buyer jobs out there and for those brands looking to develop and maintain a brand considered amongst the finest in the business, someone with your pedigree must be looked at favourably. Feel free to PM me if you want me to ask a few questions.

For some reason my original post didn't come up. So, La Trompette finally got its star - I'm sure Nigel will be pleased! Surprised that certaint restaurants such as the glasshouse in Kew didn't loose their stars. Pity that Foliage and LCS did not make it to the next level. Whislt it was expected and I like it as a restaurant, it still vexes me that Wild Honey got a star - it just does not feel like a michelin starred place on any level - it is a very pleasant restaurant, but really...still, since it is so similar to Arbutus, not to have given them one would have looked very odd!

Let me gett this straight - you want to learn butchery skills at a fish mongers?!

Glad to know I am not the only cynic, I did have a very similar thought when I first read that post Andy!

I would guess you should be ok at most michelin restaurants in London. I know Pied a Terre are very good with children (a friend of mine took his child along and he was invited into the kitchen to see the chefs at work and a special tasting menu was created according to his taste). I know that Claridges, le Gavroche, foliage, Roussillon, Tom Aikens and the Square are also pretty good with kids as well. Have a great time wherever you go!

Hi Matt, I would agree with Patrick above, a personal chef or new product developer could be a good route for you whilst not killing you financially. You may also want to consider looking at taking a role as a buyer for one of the large supermarket chains or department stores such as Selfridges. I would also recommend considering working in corporate catering. I know a number of chefs who have stepped into this and are now enjoying a much more laid back 8am-4pm job (with very rare evening work), still get to cook more or less what they want and who are earning very nicely. They also have time to do work on private basis outside of this if they want to as they are working less hours. Good luck with it all though!

Indeed, must have missed that - thanks for pointing out my error to me nikkib

I'm surprised that no one has mentione the mirabelle. Whilst have have had some pleasant meals there over the past few years, very few have mad me feel it deserves to maintain its star and perhaps the change in ownership could give Michelin the excuse they need to demote it. Thoughts?...

Don't hold back now Adey, tell us what you really think Seriously though - I do tend to agree - why can't we have something more like Iron Chef which actually shows some interesting ideas, good skills, and is fun to watch. Instead we get bloody ready steady cook!

Chris Staines is a very talented chef

I believe Foliage got a rising 2 star last year as well - I have certainly had some excellent meals there this year so it will be interesting to see if it gets its second star

I've had good meals at both, however I have to say my last meal at the capital was during the summer, the day after having had an amazing meal at LCS and it just paled in comparison. There was nothing altogether wrong with the meal it was just uninspired and not particularly tasty. Still, will no doubt go back at some point over the next couple of months for the good value lunch!

I have to say, whilst I love the Captal, if I had to choose between the Square and Capital I would take the square for dinner every time (well almost!)