Paul Reynard

The executive chef has indeed changed to Jocelyn Byrne - details have changed on the Ducasse website. Has anyone got any idea for this late change and what the new chef is like? Sounds like a bit of a set back - maybe the thought of leaving Monaco for a London winter was too much for Cerutti!

Has anyone got any update on the best in Bruges as am going there early next year and want to make sure I get the best place for a romantic meal for two (pre-wedding treat for my fiance). Unlimited budget for this one so all suggestions welcome.

As Petrus seems to be coming out on top can anyone suggest a 'best table' or are they all a much of a muchness?

True it is £110 for the so-called 'prestige' menu but it's 3 course a la carte is only £85 which after many years of honing is not a bad price considering you actually get about 10 courses. And I know Le Gavroche is also up there at £90 for its tasting menu and probably more than that for its a la carte, it's just that I think going in there at £75 for 3 and lunch at £35 (only GR RHR is more) is quite steep. I wonder how much it will be with a star or two?

The price doesn't concern me so much as £75 is a strong starting price in London to say the least (£10 more than established joints such as Petrus, Square, Capital et al). The cost is probably less than Paris and Monaco because of 2 issues: Staffing - only one brigade in the UK in all likelihood unlike France where there are two due to the French love of spoiling the fun (AKA working hour laws). And London in general is a lot cheaper to eat than Paris or Monaco at the high end and I don't think even AD could get the custom if he went in at £100 for 3 courses. I just get the vibe it won't be the full on experience. Still crossing fingers tho.

It needs to be in London I'm afraid as we've got tickets to the ballet on the Saturday avening after a meal with both sets of parents at the Wolseley for Saturday lunch.

Following the current trend I thought it appropriate that I set up an X-factor, Strictly Come Dancing style of decision making process for what is for me a rare restaurant dilemma. I have the apparent good fortune of getting married next April and as such I am planning a luxury weekend away in London a couple of weeks before the big day to keep the good lady as calm and relaxed as possible. As is normal food, wine and champagne will be at the centre of procedings and I am deliberating as to where we should go for dinner on the Friday (at the ballet on the Saturday). Now I obviously need somewhere with good food but also somewhere which is highly romantic as I will be presenting her with a wedding gift. My initial thoughts are that Petrus or Gavroche will be best but there may be other options. I've done Gavroche at lunch but never in an evening and I am just a bit concerned that it never seems to shake off it's clubby, business feel. However I've never done Petrus at lunch or dinner but it never seems to get as rave reviews as Gavroche does for its food. I can't think of anywhere better than these two options (GR RHR too white and shiny now and never was too romantic, pied the same problem etc...) but if anyone has any other thoughts it would be appreciated. No need to worry on a budget for this one - feel free to let immaginations run wild!

I know I maybe getting a bit over cautious now having booked 3 tables but in all the pulicity junk coming out there seeems to be a lot of emphasis on the head chef Nicola Canuti taking a modern interpretation of Ducasse classics. All sounds a bit wishy washy to me and could well come up below the real thing, or then again it could just improve an already legendary formula. I have also just spoken to the restaurant in the last few minutes to try and book another table for a Monday lunch in December but after taking my booking they charmingly informed me that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays. So beware. I think the most exciting thing to me with the AD is whether he will be getting his cheeses from Bernard Antony. Only the Capital and Sketch have his cheeses in London (I think) and I would love it if he gets them in as well as his cheeses are without compare. Only just under 5 weeks to D-day now!

Bookings are most definately being taken and it is due to open on 13th November as previously advertised and they're taking bookings up to November. Booking line is 020 7629 8866. Have just booked 3 tables (1st, 3rd and 5th week of it being opened) without any problem. Better start saving...

I have just spoken to the Dorchester and the cost of the 3 course lunch menu will be £35 and for dinner £75. These really are quite ambitious prices for a new opening and will have to be achieving something fairly spectacular if it is really going to be justifying these prices. Am thinking that Texture may well be the better value of the two best new boys of the year at least in the short term.

I don't really give a monkeys on the numbers as long as it lives up to my expectations. Am already chomping at the bit for when the reservations line opens on Monday and I need to try and get 3 tables booked before Christmas. It better be worth it because if the Louis the XV is anything to go by, London will have seen nothing like it, ever...

As far as his ther operations go I'm led to believe that Claridge's has a 25 year lease on it and that Petrus at the Berkely had about a 10 year lease. However for some reason the boxwood lease was a lot shorter and is indeed likely to close next year from what I understand. Although I think this is quite a shame as it has seemed to have built up a good loyal clientele and has quite a good atmosphere for one of the GR group (only maze is better for atmosphere in my opinion).

Has anyone got any idea if Gavroche still do their 'post theatre' deal of two courses + wine and petit fours for £60. Just wondering as I'm due to take clients there after the proms next week and I wish to prepare myself for the damage.

Has anyone got the phone number for reservations at the new Hibsiscus yet as I've heard that it's already booking up quickly?