Paul Reynard

Giles has even managed to hit the front page of the telegraph website this time: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sam_leith/blo...s_his_top_again

And where is this place in Cambridge? Might well be popping up there this weekend to meet a friend so a decent cup of coffee would be good.

Andy Hayler has surprisingly given quite a good review for Cha Cha in the last few days: http://www.andyhayler.com/show_restaurant....ha%20Cha%20Moon

Had it a few years ago and was quite good although nothing too special. Of what I can remember there was a pumpkin veloute with scallops (ok) and a veal dish which was also good but meat a bit bland. Pied a terre also doesn't have much of an atmosphere at all imo as it is quite a modern room (without a wow factor) and the dimensions of the room (long and thin) don't help much either. Having said all that I haven't been since the fire so might be a much better option now all round.

Went the other week on my own for a quick bite. Seafood Ho Fun was great value with decent prawns, squid and two of the biggest juicy scallops I've had in a while. Also had a roast pork noodle soop which had lovely braised pork. Altogether with a bottle of beer it was just over a tenner which has got to be one of the best value meals I've had especially in London. People have moaned on ques but go off peak and you'll be fine.

Maybe I was just unlucky but came away feeling quite hungry (although I did miss the PF's). Aikens is just a bit too blah for me especially the room which is just the same old black & white modern look creatded so that you can 'focus on the food'. Plus they don't have a cheeseboard to match that of Gavroche...

Gavroche every time for this type of need, grand old fashioned dame which gentlemen of a certain age (50+) always love. Canapes, 3 courses, coffee and petit fours, half a bottle of wine and half a bottle of mineral water for £48 each. Food obviously classically french and tends to be quite rich but portions are still much better than Aikens, et al. Also if you can share the Soufle Suisse as an extra starter - legendary for all the right reasons and even though £20 might be a lot for eggs, cheese and cream you will not regret it! Plus you'll never be rushed (quite often leave at gone 4.30 on a 1pm sitting) and the digestif trolly will have you rolling out the door!

Very positive review just been posted on Andy Haylers site. Will definately be trying to pop down tomorrow night after a day out at Wimbledon.

You could try Clos Maggiorie in Covent Garden which is a good solid restaurant and within your budget. Has a private room upstairs which I'm sure would be as nice as the rest of the restaurant. Also is Galvin at Windows open on a Sunday? If so it definately has a wow factor and the food is not quite as bad as everyone says although still overpiced.

Gutted. Was meant to be at the Ledbury on friday night as well but had to cancel at the last minute Although one of the main reasons I was going was for the celariac baked in ash dish - do you know if this was still on the a la carte or not?

For those interested follow the below link: http://www.ambassadedelile.com/ Prices look fairly steep although I think I'll be hitting in on the soft opening. Could be a great addition for the proms season...

Have just tried to find out if I could get a table for Angela Hartnett's new place Murano which I understood was due to open the back end of this month. Girl on the other end informed that it now won't be ready until the back end of August... Could well be a bit of a public spat between Ramsay/Hartnett and the newly escaped Waring around that time me thinks...

At least HD might actually be cooking at the restaurant on a regular basis unlike Ducasse!!

Should make clear that I was looking for a prime time table at 7.30/8ish. Unless they're now working on only 6/6.30 and 9.30/10 sittings I thought I might have had a bit more luck. Could've got a table at 6pm or 10pm on a midweek but pretty certain weekends were chocca.

Great news and quite a coup from that version of the story. Steeling the restaurant from under his nose is absolute genious. He knows the set up, will keep all his staff and give's Ramsay one heack of a whack while still being able to chase the 3rd star without having a disruptive move (but still a possible refurb?). Bit surprised that the Berkeley have given him the contract considering Ramsay is still at Claridge's for 10+ years... Having tried to get a table at Petrus the other day I think it's fair to say MW has little to worry about - I couldn't get any Friday or Saturday for 4 months and no midweek for 6 weeks...

Does anyone know if Gavroche still does their 'post theatre' deal as thinking of planning a post proms gathering there in the summer. Also if anyone has any recent reports as to what is good or not (have heard whispers of service standards falling) they would be most welcome. Cheers.

Just found out today that they will be taking bookings once they have a confirmed opening date at the beginning of June. Number to call will be: (0)20 3147 7100.

After finally crashing back down to earth after honeymoon I thought I would report back that The Terrace really was surprisingly good, firmly at 1 star standard. Will report back fully when I've got the menu in front of me.

Gary is absolutely right. Apologies. Paul have you considered the Waterside Inn for a Sunday night stay? They do a rather good deal for that particular night which I have bleated on about on at length on The Waterside Inn thread. ← Have thought about that one and then thought some more... Not quite as spectacular as Cliveden though was my final conclusion although I might give them a buzz to see what they have available (it is only five days away now).... gulp, run, time to hide and come to my senses.....

Good review in the Indy yesterday: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fo...don-804291.html Also I didn't realise that KP had got a good new chef in. I haven't been since Rowleigh left and had heard bad things.....

I am thinking about going to Cliveden on a late deal for the first weekend of my honeymoon in a couple of weeks time and just wondered if any one had been to the Terrace dining room recently. This is unfortunately the only option on a Sunday evening as Waldo's is closed :-(. Any feedback would be useful as dinner if we go will add an extra £200 onto the already very costly 2 night stay. Cheers.

Having a few problems ttrying to think of somewhere suitable for a celebratory Saturday lunch at the beginning of May. The future wife and I will be hosting my parents and the in-laws to say thank you for all their help and most importantly money for my upcoming wedding. We're staying on Park Lane for the weekend and so thinking of somewhere in central London which has good solid food and service but most importantly has a good jovial atmosphere and buzz about it - i.e. probably not Michelin*. I've already had The Wolseley booked for sometime although am getting a bit of cold feet on that now as seeing and hearing quite a few mixed reviews coming back. I have thought Windows or Foliage would be possible fine dining options but as I say atmospher could well be a bit lacking. So any ideas welcome with a lunch budget of £400 for the 6 of us.

Just wondering if anyone has been to the newly refurbished Launceston Place? Apparently they've nabbed the highly promising Tristan Walsh from Petrus to head up the kitchin and has had a glowing first review off Jan Moir today: http://www.areyoureadytoorder.co.uk/ The restaurant is in a lovely area of Kensington and always used to be very handy for after the proms although it had gone slightly downhill recently. The only bad thing I can see is that it is now D&D, never a good sign in my book. As a little asside I wonder if Tristan Walsh's departure (along with several others with him) from Peturs is further evidence of the imminent departure of Mr Waring. I do hope he gets the cajunas to go it alone as would be fascinating to see him with his GR shackles firmly shaken off. And what a coup if the rumours were true and he took over from Angela Hartnett at the Connaught...

The Conservatory isn't open on Sunday which is when Fisherman wants to eat. ← Doh! So close to almost reading the whole of the request...

Just found that they have updated their website at last and looks really good:# http://www.galvinrestaurants.com/ Really do need to get myself down there again.