Soundman

They all do it now Fergal, if you want proper adverts, check out Dos Hermanos, it seems advertising is the new black or something!

I'm still sitting here howling with laughter that someone might connect the English/Scottish/Irish breakfast with a fucking Mimosa! There's no emoticon to describe that!

The area around Chatsworth is one of my favourite places on earth, I lived there for a few years, and have lived near it most of my life, you'll have a wonderful trip, if you want any more tips, message me.

If you want good food neat Chatsworth, try Fischers for a Michelin starred meal (with rooms), Rowleys in Baslow is excelent too (owned by the Fischers) Riverside House at Ashford in the Water is good too, and has rooms. There are a few more that evade me this early in the morning, but I'll think of them. I knew I'd think of another, The Peacock at Rowsley, very good, maybe my favourite from this list, and has rooms too.

As others have said, safety is the least of your worries, I'd be concerned about the taste and texture of the chicken.

Not sure I follow your logic there Pam, if freezing breaks down the flesh, how can that make it less soggy on cooking? The best way to treat lemon sole is to salt it lightly before cooking, and don't SV it!

I've had that steak tartare about 5 times over the last couple of months, one perk of arranging a marriage at the Star is numerous visits to sort stuff out, and the Pheasant has become our favourite spot for lunch, We've never had a bad meal there I should write them up sooner or later.

Fischers is well worth a visit John, I was a regular there when I lived closer and had some very good meals. Always found lunch better value than dinner, but both were good.

Nickreys method is spot on, follow that and you'll make a very good risotto.

Lunch at Van Zeller today was very very good, three course for £10, 3 choices for each course, 1 choice with a surcharge (£6.50 surcharge on the starter and pudding, and an eye watering £24 surcharge for the Turbot main!!??!!) We both had the same meal, confit pheasant salad, ox cheek with lardons, shallots and mushrooms, and then cheese. Side dishes are charged extra, £3.75 gets you some saute potatoes, choucroute or some winter greens, we went for the first two, both good, the choucroute particularly so. Everything was superbly executed, the service was good too, friendly, knowledgeable, and slick. We'll be back for sure, the three course offer is extended till the end of Feb, but the dinner menu looks good too. The wine list is pretty pricey, but look hard enough and you'll find something reasonably priced, we went for a Morellino di Scansano at £24.50. Superb value, and worth a trip to Harrogate for.

Just booked Van Zeller for Saturday lunch, the £10 menu is limited, but still looks good. I'll report back.

Best hotel in the country? Hardly, I stay in better ones every week. I wouldn't say it was the best hotel in North Yorkshire, I'm not even sure it's the best in Harrogate.

Van Zeller does look good, not tried it yet, Clocktower, if I remember correctly is too twee for words, the food as well as the decor. Had a dreadful meal at Rajput a few months ago, and will never return. The Bar and Grill is pretty good, nothing amazing, but worth a visit. Never tried Sasso, it doesn't give the impression of being top notch, but based on your recommendation Bertie, we'll give it a shot.

The west coast of Scotland is indeed more than a little off the beaten track if you're looking for lunch in the Lake District! Thanks for the link though, I'd been wondering where Bruno had got to, the meals we had at Hipping when he was there were amongst the best we've had.

We had Saturday lunch there a few weeks ago, really good meal, I had steak tartare and it was possibly the best I've had, even better than my own..... Can't quite remember what Jo had right now, but I do remember not getting to try much of it as she enjoyed it so much. Really pleased they're getting back to normal in the village now, we have another date there soon.

I saw that last night, shame the chef appeared to be a total cock, it almost put me off visiting!

As I understand it, the lack of shops let is nothing to do with the recession and everything to do with the general state of the building.

Did the light show involve a singing frog?

I Know Shaun, has/does consult at various places, but his takeover of The Walnut Tree was billed as 'him having his own place again'. And you're right, it is good news, the food there is sublime. It's a while since we've been, but I think it's time book again.

Columns are what you do on a Monday morning to ease yourself into the week, I hardly think they would interfere with his cooking. I've never heard any other suggestion that he's not there full time, and as I said, he's been there every time I have.

He's certainly been behind the stoves when I've been there, and what else is he doing?

Standards slipping are hardly related to norovirus though, or am I missing something? We've eaten there a couple of times recently and been very impressed.

Do you mean is Shaun cooking at the Walnut Tree? If you do then, yes, he is, where have you been!

Had a call yesterday cancelling our reservation on Saturday night, which confirmed a rumour I'd heard from a wedding photographer two weeks ago. I'd put the rumour down to the photographer being a particularly scheming, egotistical, nasty piece of work (anyone getting married in North or West Yorkshire, PM me for the name of someone to avoid!) but seems she was right about this at least..... Bad news for Andrew and Jacquie, but only a temporary set back I'm sure, still looking forward to our next visit.

Neil didn't deserve saving........