[Sancerre and Bourges]

We shall be staying on a vineyard in Sancerre in late September with two friends from US on their first visit to France. Do you have any recommendations of places to eat or indeed visit?

Thanks.

[Cookbooks – How Many Do You Own? (Part 4)]

Oh dear, I'm obviously addicted - about 5000 and still counting - Gordon Ramsay's Chef and Francesco's Kitchen for Christmas with about 7 other historical books and 10 still to come to add to the Italian and Indian sections..... How do people sort them or has this been asked before?

Sue

[The Lakes - where to go?]

Drunken Duck and the Punch Bowl seconded.

For fun meals, Jackson's in Bowness and Lucy's on a Plate in Ambleside are good and the latter's puddings are brilliant!

Mason's Arms at Strawberry Bank can be good too.

Want to try L'Enclume but it will be shut over New Year, I think when we are also going up.

Does anyone know if the Porthole has closed?

Sue

[Good food in Oxford?]

Hello

We live near Banbury, about 25 miles from Oxford and can confirm that there are many good places to eat in or near the city, although not cheaply! Brown's is good for a family meal, although always busy, and the Lemon Tree is excellent. The Cherwell Boathouse is lovely, right on the river and used to do a marvellous marmalade icecream! Gees has been around for ages and is very reliable.

If you can splash out, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Great Milton is one of the best restaurants in the UK, if not the world - Raymond Blanc.

Otherwise, there are many pubs and Inns in the area which are excellent if you like the slightly more casual and relaxed atmosphere - the Trout at Godstow, the Star and the Talkhouse at Stanton St John, Mason's Arms at Swerford are all good, as is the Red Lion at Little Compton. One in Stow is the King's Head and for more wonderful river views and very English food try the Victoria Arms at Marston Ferry.

If you are based here for some time, as it sounds, I would recommend the Good Pub Guide - invaluable for country drives in the area! Hope that helps and do come back with your findings!

Sue