david goodfellow

Is it hyped a bit John? You should know. You like a bit of Indian food do you not?

I would love to try Matt Gillan,s food but The Pass is way too far away. Unless we link it in with a London restaurant visit.

So will I. Our meal was decent, but no where near Michelin standard.

I like your blog Chef, been following it for a while. As your in the business, you should have more insight than most as to who is doing the business up and down the country. Any young guns we should keep an eye on? Btw, you can pay me later

I forgot all about Kenny Atkinson, shame on me. A chef of his calibre is Michelin certainty. Isn't Sat Bains ex head chef at Tuddenham Mill? Seem to think I read it somewhere.

There is a rather interesting interview and video of Glyn Purnell on Staff Canteen. Which gives more insight not only on his flagship restaurant, but his involvement here.

Typically this time of year I can't help but think, and of course look forward to the new guide, which is literally just weeks away (second week of January?) The question is of course, who will reach one star status, who will gain another, and who will get demoted? I must admit to be struggling this year nothing jumps out at all. Thats not a good sign for me. Be very interested in getting your views. I may get a tip or two as to where to try next.

There is more info here

Just done a bit of digging and it looks like Jason Eaves has a pretty good pedigree, having worked at a load of Michelin starred places. His family are heavily involved with the industry and he has a famous chef brother Marcus who runs the kitchen at Michelin starred L'Autre Pied. On paper at least this place has loads of potential.

Oh dear, we won't be dashing down the heavily traffic coned M6 to try this one. Not at least till it beds in a bit. Bet Glyn Purnell was not around, he states he will attend every service at Purnells or it won't open. Has'n't Jason Eaves been with him a long time? How was pricing, gentle or ambitious?

John, This is categorically denied by Scotts. I dined there last year and would have stamped my little feet if this were the case. Their spokesperson confirmed today, that there is a cover charge of £2, but service charge is the normal 12.5%. He also stated that this is the same at all of their restaurants. Just wanted to set the record straight, as this sort of claim can impact on their business.

Well. We arrive into Manchester's Chinatown to a flurry of activity and a film crew. Excited, we think (or my wife thinks) that its a Corrie shoot, but no Rita, Ken Barlow, or Audrey, just a load of people dressed as "coppers" and a crashed car, on the back of a breakdown truck. Which we assume is all part of the shoot. So remember you heard it here first its a new BBC drama called "Stolen" which will be on your screens sometime next year. This is quite appropriate for Manchester as I heard recently it is near top of the list for car crime, specifically car jacking. Quite a lot of Chinese people mostly eating hotpot, which we keep threatening to try, but as yet, have not. I went to bed last night thinking of chilli, and woke up today still thinking of it so, best satisfy the craving. And, as we tried Red Chilli last time, its Red-n Hot this. I,m always reluctant to order anything but our favourites at Chinese restaurants, as we sometimes get a disappointment or two. Been trying some recipes out of Fuchsia Dunlop's Land of Plenty with mixed results so my cravings have been mostly satisfied but its hard to recreate that "commercial" taste from a big kitchen like here. We rarely have starters here but her indoors fancied Salt and Pepper crispy King Prawn (£5.50) and that is exactly what we got. So nothing special just crunch down tasty seafood, just what we wanted. There was no way Mrs G was going to approve of me choosing the scorching hot lamb hot pot, marked on the menu with three red chillies. So I compromised and went for the one red chilli dish,Hot and Spicy Beef with dry Chilli ("9.50). Now this is misleading its hotter than a "one" its should be a "two". It was challenging, heat wise. The dominant taste was cumin, which is ok for me as I like cumin, but its better with lamb. The beef was tender except for two pieces which both had a string of gristle running through them. Not the end of the world of course. A minor slip in prep. All in all this dish is a success, but beware it is HOT. Somewhat predictably, we just had to again sample the Gong Bao Chicken with Peanuts (£7.95). And peanuts it had in abundance, too many I thought, they dominated the dish somewhat. Its not as sweet, sticky as Red Chilli, which I now think that I prefer. Big whiffs of chinkiang vinegar were filling my nostrils, slivers of ginger and garlic kept making surprised announcements in my mouth. Very good in its own right, but for me its better just around the corner from here. Aubergine in Fish Flavoured sauce (£6.95). Was as tasty as expected. We had similar at Chilli Cool and really enjoyed it. May just try this one at home as I quite like aubergine but struggle to find recipes that appeal. Glad to report things are still good here. As mentioned above take care on the ratings for the food. It can be hellishly hot, way hotter for instance than Chilli Cool, which is tame by comparison. This food is an assault on the taste buds, and it is perhaps wise to choose something a bit mild to take refuge in between mouthfuls of it. Ideal for satisfying your sechuan craving Red-n Hot is a very good alternative to Red Chilli, but treat it with respect or it will whack you big time. By the way our car was still where we parked it, so we had a pleasant relaxing trip home.

I cannot comment on recent Hardens editions as I do not buy guide books, (except for last years Good Food Guide). I can however comment historically on Hardens. It was a review of Pied a terre and so much off the money, I remember thinking "what are they on". They slagged it off big time which soured me somewhat to the guide. Having said all that I am prepared to give them another go. Best do a few reviews for them to even things out a bit. And of course get my free copy.

I keep looking at this when I do my drinks shopping and wonder why the high price tag. Then I buy Leffe and Hoegaarden the same as normal. Ok I know they are completely different animals but I like them. I am going to buy a bottle or two today, and give it a try, later perhaps. Will let you know what I think.

Thanks for the comments folks, I would have answered sooner except for the distraction of the Heston and Aiden Byrne stuff going on. As you are both aware. I tend not to knock many places, because quite frankly chefs do a bloody hard job and sometimes we all cock up a bit, but its not blasted all over a forum if we do. There was nothing to criticise on taste, we scoffed the lot, and this is an area most certainly we are critical of. If it tastes of nothing it goes back. Fortunatly we don't stamp our little feet, too often. Also of course we dine out quite a bit more than most so perhaps we are a bit more critical than most, who knows. It may just be with Michelin places that I expect pretty plates of food. But at the end of the day flavour is all, in my book at least.

I'm slipping up a bit here. Just clicked on to the much improved chefs website Staff Canteen and low and behold Aiden does not want a Michelin star anymore, and admits he was a bit of a pr-ick before, but has now changed. He cites a "lengthy relationship" with Hilbark (sounds like most marriages) Looks like he is going for the most profitable route, "gastropub". (bit like the Northcote guys) Well I'm bloody miffed now, my prediction will not come true Good luck to him.

Shock, Horror, your right. "With immediate effect" Stuart Warner and Jenny Thoden (Aiden's Head and Sous Chef) are in charge of the kitchen now. Bloody good they are too.

We are going before then, however we are only a two and very flexible on our dates. Hope it lives up to the promise. Watch this space

So what does any true gastronaut worth his money, do on a lousy snow filled day. He hops in his motor and defies mother nature and does a near two hundred mile round trip to eat a bit of good food. I was sure we had been here before, many moons ago. We had stayed in a B&B in the village quite a while back, and dined in the village, but it was not here, I knew that as soon as I walked in the door. Now considering Marcus(Gus)Ashenford has held a Michelin star for fifteen years at various places (and eight years here) it is strange that we have not, until now, eaten his food. He keeps his head down, in a true old fashioned cheffy way, too busy in his kitchen to court modern media. A couple of amuse arrived with the excellent bread and english butter. Apricot and Walnut, and seseme seed. Both as light as a feather, thin crust and in no way hard work like some we have had of late. The butternut squash, ginger and chilli oil soup was worthy of a bigger bowl especially it being winter outside. The little bites of welsh rarebit went down a treat. Monkfish and grilled Scallop, was served with Parsnip puree, baby Spinach, marinated cucumber, crisp Parsnips and pesto dressing. A lot going on really, but the shining star was without doubt the Monkfish, taste and texture was spot on, and it was perfectly cooked. Chicken Liver Parfait, Bramley apple chutney, Peashoot salad was served with onion toast. It was not my dish but I tasted it and it was silky smooth, we both thought that there was too much chutney served with the dish, and it was a little too tart for my wifes taste. She would have preferred it a bit sweeter. Line Caught Sea Bass, Pasta, Bok choi, was served with ratatouille, and a tomato tartar dressing. Not quite as enjoyable as the Monkfish but pleasant never the less. We both had the Chump of Local Lamb, Wild Mushrooms and Choucroute. Thankfully it tasted better than it looked, I thought the presentation was poor, and the lamb was a tad overcooked for my taste. The mustard mash that the lamb sat on was good, however the carrots were disappointing, I was not keen on the texture. Mrs G tried the Thyme and Vanilla brulee, she ate the brulee, but left the sorbet. I did not have a taste, so I can not comment, nor did she. Overall we were pleased, the bread, soup, monkfish and pate were good, the lamb, not quite so good. I was pleased that we finally got around to the visit, but on reflection its an awfully long way to travel for a meal, especially sitting in a queue on the motorway on the way back home. That is the downside of living in the of sticks of course, with no decent restaurant within an hours drive. Still, perhaps Michelin will find something closer to us for publication in the new 2011 guide, although I doubt it very much as I like to think that we would have been tipped off before now. Thankfully we arrived home without incident.

Launceston Place is a decent neighbourhood restaurant which we would be happy to have local to us, but, On our only visit my main, mutton chop, was tough and verging on sending back. In fact if it happened today I would send it back. This is not a recent visit, I may add, its perhaps eighteen months or more ago, but Tristan Welch is still the chef. Fair do's the Maitre'D, who's name escapes me, compted most if not all of my meal. My wife's meal was "enjoyable". Service was very good just a shame the food on the day, for me at least, was a disappointment. There is a fantastic choice in London currently. See my posts for more info.

Is this an evening meal or lunch? Michelin or not? Posh or laid back semi posh?

Thanks very much for your advice folks, much appreciated. I will keep plugging away, the picture quality will surely improve. Its only a matter of time. Back on to his food. I may just try cooking a dish or two from his book this week.

I had best get down to the market for some Turbot. I assume its Birmingham Wholesale? Last time I bought some Porterhouse steak from the abbatior (following that meal) I asked the butcher if he would sell me some bones, he gave me them free of charge. I asked him if he would cut them in two for me. It took him a few seconds on his bandsaw. The steak was nearly as good as The Hawksmoor one. As yet I have not cooked the bone marrow but I am really looking forward to it.

I'm afraid I have to pull rank here, as we have dined at Michelin level at least twenty or even approaching thirty places this year, if you include Wales and Scotland. That does not include return visits, which are few, as in truth we like trying different places. I love the Michelin standard, its identifiable. Most chefs strive for it, the pinnacle. The ultimate prize. The amuse, and pre dessert go with the territory. I agree on small portions they drive me mad. But there are small portions, and even smaller portions. Having said the above, I am running out of Michelin places that I really want to try, and we have had great fun eating at some of the non starred hot restaurants in London of late, perhaps enjoying the food more than at some of the top end places. I am glad that you posted Michael Wignall's food. As you know I am a big fan. If it was the recent lunch offer, two dine for £42? its fantastic value and you aint going to get much foie gras for that. Unknown to me, he was head chef at The Old Beams in Staffordshire run by Nigel and Ann Wallis. It was our local, and was Staffs only Michelin star, he served small portions there, but everytime we returned after a Michelin trip "down south", we always remarked that, the place was as good as any in the country. Sadly it closed, perhaps eight/ ten years ago, as Nigel and Ann retired to France and no one wanted to take it on as a restaurant. Very few,(thankfully,) Michelin places have disappointed, the inspectors seem to be consistant. Prices seem to have rompted on a bit and some tasting menus are clearly not worth it. I looked at dining at Simon Radley at the Grosvenor next week, he of rising two stars, but at £90 for the tasting menu, and no lunch on offer, we aint dining there. We have eaten his food before, a long time ago, but can not recall what it was like. There is an argument "you get what you pay for" . Not always the case, sometimes you get a lot more, as in our recent fantastic value lunches, which have long been identified as the very best value that you can buy at this level. For me at least, if a restaurant has a Michelin star I am far more inclined to want to eat that chefs food than eat at another similar restaurant. Its fitting that you have started this thread as I am looking forward to the new guide being released in early January. Hopefully a new batch of places will be listed, although for the life of me nothing (apart from Aiden Byrne) springs to mind.

We only dined their once, and had no desire to return. It was an age ago, when Michel Roux Snr was in charge. It was not as good as Le Manoir (two stars) and L'Ortolan (two stars) when John Burton Race was cooking his socks off. We thought it average to say the least. The only wow we had, was when the bill arrived. That food looks abysmal. Talk about being lost in a time warp.