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heres another http://www.opentable.com/home.aspx I just looked up a place in liverpool with rave reviews on another site and found a bunch of negatives here, Steven

I just got quite excited about Hickorys smokehouse in Chester from Chester@large. I love bbq and would love to try some of the smokehouse style cooking after having some in Canada -the website looks smashing However I then read the review of the food.. If I go I know I'll be disappointed Sod it I am going to buy a Landmann smoker and do my own Steven

Hi John I have used Sugarvine with little success in the past. Manchester/Liverpool Confidential is amusing and a little more balanced, I'd be interested to hear of any others (Apart from logging on here and seeing whats recommended which BTW has been the most successful for me so far) Steven

I can echo a lot of whats already on here - pesto has been a saviour on a number of occasions in our house, I like to add cream, mushrooms, butter and cheese to give it a bit more ooomph. Due to the broadbeen glut this year. I made a number of pasta dishes incorporating shelled broadbeans and peas with feta and or ricotta and sometimes lettuce running though it, with mixed success the feta/broadbean/pea being my OHs favourite, I preferred a broadbeen/ricotta/basil mix. I am also a big fan of spaghetti with olives, parsley,chilli ,anchovies and lots and lots of cheese..

Depends what they are allowed in but id start with a toaster and some of these http://www.jmldirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=T4400&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=toaster_bags_Exact&utm_campaign=G_EXACT_Generic&changecurrency=GBP

Floor beneath the dishwasher it needs pulling out and bleaching....shudders at the thought

I just go with salt and pepper and finish them with butter, and I generally fry some onions seperately with balsamic for some more ooommphh on the plate.

its not veg and its not boring - get some marmite and butter on that toast...

A Salamander eye level grill with some real heat A great big freezer And not items of kit but as I have a Galley kitchen some more prep space would be good. I can do my own washing up but i'd love freshly laundered towels delivered daily. I want to say a steam oven and a blast chiller but I am just getting over excited...

Bottle openers Boxes of matches peelers can openers tea towels tea towels and more tea towels

Scotch Eggs

So I cooked these earlier today Swapped out the white wine for dry cider and a good splash of cider vinegar (seemed like a good idea at the time), and ditched the white balsamic as I had none, Swapped the honey for some maple syrup (it was on offer at ALDI classy) upped the broad beans which I shelled as I dislike the skins. Served in bowls with some bread as a starter for todays pigfest where they were followed by a baked ham and mashed potatoes. Clean plates all round - the star anise really comes through and the beans hold it all together. We drank the same cider with the meal which worked My partner felt they were a touch sweet for her taste but I was really pleased at how tender the meat was, I'll definitely do them again.

Will do - good shout

Have used this place on a number of occasions and found it both good value and quality - better than any of the chains you might find yourself in around didsbury, particularly like the skirt steak, will try a mixed grill when I am in next time.

This has reminded me that I have 4 of them in the freezer Which I picked up as a "bargain" from morrisons - given a glut of broadbeans i am going to try this recipe http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Pork_Cheeks_with_Apple_and_Broad_Beans.aspx

Following all the good press in this forum I chose this place as avenue for 5 of us for a works feed.. We weren't disappointed the starters were great - salt and pepper squid being the stand out for me amongst half a duck, dumplings, salt and pepper ribs (I didnt get much of the duck tho as it was firmly on the other side of the table) We ordered spring onion bread, the poached lamb, belly pork,spicy beef and chilli chicken, and roast lamb some rice and noodles.I got to try a bit of each (thanks to the size of the starter portions) The poached lamb is excellent and I would go again for that alone - liked the "those are chillis" warning it came with - and the remark sparked a whats hottest? tasteathon which it won after much discussion. Really enjoyed the belly pork and the chicken also - belly pork getting the vote from most around the table as well as the bread- left with 2 doggy bags despite some healthy eaters being at the table. Definitely going again. Got to have a pint of tetleys in the Circus as well so all in all a good night

Hi there Off for a long weekend in June- googled restaurants but no real pointers- can anyone recommend any places? Steven

Talking of eccentric you've reminded me of another one- the THREE STAGS HEAD, DARLEY BRIDGE (copy and paste) in the peak district back through Stockport somewhere. Had sunday lunch there last year a really good game pie, abbeydale brewery beers and a lurcher sat next to me. No ice no draught lager - not sure if there was any electricity but there was a petrified cat. Kids loved it.

Morning All for my two pennorth worth Manchester - The Angel - it not just the food, the beer is great. Penrith - The Queens Head at Tyrril - micro brewery beers great and the inglenook fieplace is good for drying/thawing in. Forton near Lancaster - The Bayhorse - has Thwaites and its great to sit out if the sun is shining, you can drive to that farm that sells ice cream afterwards just in case you have any room left.. Liverpool- I am tempted to say just and sit in the Philarmonic and make do with crisps but if you must eat go to the Monroe, however if you want to get see lifes rich pageant get to "Ye Olde Cracke".