LesleyT

A friend recently raved about her dinner at L'Autre Pied in Marylebone. I understand it has one Michelin star.

Definitely Franco Manca. It's my local and I love it.

I've been twice - once soon after opening, before all the rave reviews, and once a couple of weeks ago (packed on a Monday lunchtime). I think the food is good, not amazing, but that's reflected in the price. The first time my starter of beetroot and goat's curd salad was served too cold, which dulled the flavours somewhat. The tuna and grilled bread main was very good, with the tuna perfectly cooked. Too full for pudding but had the truffles with coffee, which were excellent. The second time I had the chicken liver paté, which was incredibly rich. I couldn't finish it, and prefer my paté a bit less creamy. That's just me though. My main of cod with beans was lovely, very hearty. Again, the fish was cooked to perfection. My boyfriend really liked his fish soup starter and his steak (he always has the bloody steak - so boring ). All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. There aren't many bistros of this quality offering such good value in London.

I thought you might be able to get it in Brixton Market. All types of other hot sauces available, including Crystal, but no Frank's I'm afraid. I did see some boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese though.

This month I've been mainly rocking recipes from my latest cookbook obsession, The Ottolenghi Cookbook. I'm not sure whether it's available outside the UK yet, but when it is you should all buy it! (I don't work there, promise.) Some recipes here: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/blog/category/recipes/ Anyway, we had a barbecue on Saturday and I made a broad bean and radish salad, with preserved lemon, which was delightful, and very easy to make. Served with bourbon basted ribs (recipe from Olive Magazine - a huge hit) and pork and chorizo burgers (Sunday Suppers at Lucques - loving that book too). The burgers are officially the BEST. BURGERS. EVER. According to the OH, that is. I also made Rob's Famous Coleslaw, also from Sunday Suppers, which is quite the nicest coleslaw I've ever had. The secret, I think, is that you reduce half a cup of red wine vinegar, add a couple of TBSP of honey and then mix it with the veggies before adding mayonnaise. It makes the slaw beautifully light and tangy. For dessert, we had rosewater and pistachio meringue with whipped cream, raspberries and passion fruit. The meringue was an Ottolenghi recipe as well. It was different to other meringue recipes I've made in that it called for warming the sugar first. It make for a wonderfully glossy, stiff meringue, which was squishy in the middle, just the way I like it. YUM!

I've got this book as well and everything I've made has turned out well. If you haven't already, check out his method for scrambled eggs. I used to make pretty good eggs, now they're great - gorgeously soft and creamy.

I agree with much of that, but Verde's is possibly the most expensive deli in London and a complete rip-off. Last time I was there they were selling De Cecco pasta for the most ridiculous prices. I don't know how Jeanette can justify it with her thrifty Northern roots.