sandra

Seth, I really liked this thread also, photos were great! I'm not sure I will try one this year, but maybe sometime... As for turning the turkeys, we use Nomex gloves as seen here: Nomex They are heat resistant even at the end of cooking the turkey for hours, just lift him out and transfer to platter, no juggling spoons or knife steels - and the best part, you throw them in the wash right after and they are good as new.

There is also no bottle listed for £795, yet I have the receipt right here in front of me.... What do you mean, "what gives?"

Paillards: chicken breasts, pounded very thin, olive oil, salt/pepper, either in a fry pan or a stove top grill pan - rice or orzo and salad...

Well, he never mentioned the price, we would have not accepted it! This is why we enjoyed the wine so much, had we known the price it would have gone down a bit sour! balex, he did not make a disclaimer, as a matter of fact, he said he had tasted it last week and had been very impressed... we did still have the wine list, but it had been closed, as we had made a selection already. And thanks for pointing out Farr vintners, it may be worth a look for another VERY special occasion!! Andy, I will certainly be writing a letter to Chef this week, in pleasant terms, of course, I don't want to go burning any bridges...

Well, I for one am NOT questioning Wareing's talent! Dinner was outstanding on Friday night - First they come with the champagne trolley and you have your choice for a glass, including a rose Grande Dame and Dom Perignon. The amuses: A croquette of mash and black truffle, golden and warm, a little toast with dilled salmon mousse and roasted red pepper, a little toast with herbed cream cheese and a fresh anchovy. Then, a gazpacho with pineapple bits and watermelon, in the little shot glasses - sounded odd but was delicious. The starters: We both had the Lobster Arnold Bennet, the light omelet, just perfectly runny, stuffed with lobster pieces, smoked haddock, cheese and all surrounded by a lobster bisque - I could have eaten that alone all night it was so good. The mains: My husband had the special of grouse, roasted and served with pork belly, croutons, fondant potatoes and a lovely sage cream bread sauce - I had the veal fillet served with roasted root vegetables (cut into little rondels) and all served on top of a potato rosti, which was crispy and caramelized to perfection. The sauce was a creamy grain mustard sauce. We skipped desserts and went for the cheese selection - as always, very complete and great choices, there was maybe 6-7 varieties of goat, 8-10 varieties of cow in varying strengths and textures and 3-4 blues. Oh, and the epoisses...always the epoisses! Then came the trolley with the sweets, Turkish Delight, salted caramels (meltingly good) some truffles and pate de fruits. No coffees, but my husband did have a glass of port. The wine was a 1966 Margaux which is the subject of it's own little post here: Wine Shock The room was beautiful, all dark aubergine and black, comfortable leather chairs (and my feet actually touched the floor!) There is a main room and then there is a smaller, more private alcove in the back, 4 tables, which is a lightly dimmer and more romantic, perfect for ocassions such as an anniversary dinner (ours). In general a great dinner, great service, great room, we'll definitely be going back, despite the little, erm...surprise described in my wine post. Having a chat with the maitre d' we discovered that the kitchen now is twice the size of the St. James' location, and the cellar is 3 times as large. I had been in both the kitchen and the cellar at the previous location and they were both rather tight, the cellar was only large enough for one person at a time! Having dined at both Aikens and Petrus, I would not hesitate to recommend Petrus well over Aikens any day. Do try it....

Dinner at Petrus on Friday night was outstanding, the room the food, and even the wine, despite a bit of a shocker when the bill came, read on: My husband got the wine list, perused for a while (we giggled for a while) then the sommelier comes over and my husband points at one Margaux (£160) says the bin number, and the sommelier points out it may be a bit fruity, bla bla bla - he has a much better bin it's a 1966 Margaux and he highly recommends it. Fine. Out comes the decanter, the candle, the 20 mins trying to take the cork out... Long story short, it's a fabulous red, definitely the best we have had... Then the bill comes.... £800 for the wine alone. Now, we are not great conoisseurs of wine, but we know well enough and what we like, and in hindsight, maybe the 1966 should have set off a bell, but it didn't... Of course we paid the bill and didn't make a stink, BUT, what's up with this???? We have always been under the understanding that if the sommelier is going to recommend something it will in the near vecinity of your selected wine/price, no? I have never been in this situation before, what do people do?

Went today - freebie donuts to anyone who gets in the queue - the classic glazed - warm and fluffy and oh so soft - also tried a chocolate glazed - just as good as in the States... But also, just as in the States, they do sit like little bombs in your tum for a while!

Going tonight - can't wait!

I did a quick search and did not find much info, maybe it's hiding from me.... My parents are heading over this weekend and I'd like to give them some ideas.... I have never been, but I have heard tales of tables laden with food.... Any suggestions must-eat restaurants or stops?? Thanks splm

According to Harrods they will be opening at 7am - separate entrance/window... Chocolate glazed...

Scrapple.... WHY???

Maria, I got the PM y te conteste! I'll send it again... Everyone...I'm seriously considering this now... I have room for about 10 sit down, more if we we do it cocktail style.... I'll start a new thread when I have have fully thought it through and can post some options...

hmmm...maybe we could plan something... let me have a think... I wonder if there would be a lot of interest?

magnolia....my house!!!

Maria, mucho gusto! Te mando un PM... La Porchetta is back to good quality - we go there more or less once a week and have not been dissapointed, the pasta specials are also very good...

smidge, for Korean I have tried Jin (with Korean friends) and everyone was very happy with the food and service, it's on Bateman Street, near Liberty's... Bapi, at Baker Street Royal China they'll even take your child to the loo if they ask! Maria Pia, you prefer Pappagone to La Porchetta next door? And what do you know, between you and me, it seems we have brought the Mexican count in London to 2!!!

So who is going Friday morning to get in the queue?? Is anyone aiming for the lifetime supply??

The dim sum/chinese idea you have is good - we have gone may times to Royal China on Baker Street with friends that have kids (all ages) and has never been a problem, it's really loud in there anyway - make a reservation for dinner (they don't take for dim sum) I always see little babies and toddlers in there.

Diet Peach Iced Tea... Can't get it in London, only the fully loaded lemon and peach teas...

Yes, agreed on the envy point, especially considering the general blah-ness of Boxwood, the food was fine, but nothing earth shattering - decor was allright also - can't wait to see Petrus... Will report back -

We've had reservations for Oct 3rd for about 2 weeks now - can't wait....!

Nomex gloves are great, they have fingers even - this is the material used to make the fireproof suits for race car drivers. They are also washable, so you can pick up roasts, etc...

There is a little store near Alexandra Palace called "alsur", I haven't been, but a friend has been bringing me all kinds of goodies, they may have what you like... 7 Crescent Road - London N22 7RP - 0208 374 3544 - alsurspain@blueyonder.co.uk The card I have has Hannah Filmer as a contact name. Let me know if you go

John, we're up there all the time, what side of the road, London bound or outbound? Past the Poggenpohl, etc?

Just had lunch at Reubens - I like it better than Selfridges - but Harry Morgans is indeed very good also - failing that, if you're in St. John's Wood anyway, Panzer's does a good one for takeaway only. Not whatyou are asking, but the fried gefilet fish at Morgan's is great also.