Andrew

I've read in various places that it is phenylbutazone which in the quantity you would eat from horsemeat is fairly harmless. Chef Hermes has an interesting blog post about it : http://chefhermes.com/horsemeat/ Andrew

In the end I've booked to go to Paul Bocuse, La Mere Brazier and Auberge de l'ile. I'll report back! Andrew

Went there the other night and really enjoyed it. The 'space' is clearly difficult but they have made it quite interesting. The sleek, shiny black entrance lobby, narrow dark escalators up to the light airy wooden dining room with jenga style decor will not be to everyone's taste but I quite liked it. The restaurant was busy as was the sushi counter. The service excellent, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being all over you. The food was standard Japanese with a slight twist. The prawn tempura was ok, nothing special. The tuna tartare was a steak tartare look alike and excellent and the soft shell crab with mango sushi was one of the nicest dishes I have had. Stir fried asparagus was a nice mix of green and white with sesame seeds and went down well with rib eye steak and spices with steamed rice. The fresh fruit platter to finish was ok, interesting mix but some of it just a little to interesting! They did not try to push us to order to much food, in fact we could have done with one more! Cocktails were £10 each which is ok for this sort of venue although a £42 bottle of Gavi was a little over priced. The bill inc a pre added 13% service charge came to £185 for two people but this did inc 2 cocktails to start, a bottle of wine and 2 after dinner cocktails. Andrew Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

John, of the places suggested I would certainly go for Gidleigh Park if Le Manior is off the list. Two slightly 'off beam' suggestions of restaurants with rooms ie not country house hotels would be Sat Bains or the Waterside Inn both serve amazing (but very different!) food. If you're looking for a country house hotel with amazing food then it is Gidleigh Park. Andrew

Try it on top of scrambled duck egg with a few choped chives. Andrew

Has anyone been to La Barbacane recently? Andrew

As someone that loves a good single malt the concept of a flavoured whisky sounds disgusting. However many liqueurs are just that! My issue is that each individual whisky has such a different taste that there is no need to flavour it - unless it is a cheap nasty tasting blend in which case if it has to be drunk it needs to be drowned by a mixer. Andrew

Has anyone eaten lunch or dinner here recently? I would be interested in any views. Thanks Andrew

I'm off there in a months time. I'm looking forward to it and will report back. I'm not under any illussions that it will be inventve or what you now expect in many 2 or 3 star establishments. From all the reviews I've read you go there to experience how things were at a top quality establishment in the '70s or maybe that is unfair!? Andrew

I'd be interested in your views on 'Mission' as I've heard very mixed views from those that are fans of their other places. Andrew

Here's my top 5 with a couple of 'mentions': 1. The Ledbury - my first visit here and was well worth the wait and lived up to the hype. 2. Sat Bains - I've been here a few times and it never disappoints. Occasionally something I don't like turns up but even with those you recognise the skill and expertise and realise it is just a matter of taste. Service always excellent. 3. Gordon Ramsay RHR - I know it is not fashionable to like it (or him!) but turns out top quality food. 4. Galvin at Windows - ok the view is amazing and that helps but each time I have been there the food is top draw. 5. Dubbous - forget the hype the food is actually very good! For plain simple steak Hawksmoor never disappoints but can't make the top 5 as it is only grilled meat In terms of overseas Rubens in South Africa gets this year's award. Andrew

I'd be interested in any up to date recommendations for 'fine' dining in Lyon. There seems to be a good selection of starred restaurants to choose from so any suggestions for a 3 day trip would be appreciated. Andrew

As always really difficult and will need some serious thought but for me the stand out meals this year were the Ledbury, Sat Bains, Hawksmoor, Rubens (Franschhoek) and (of course) Dabbous. I'll give it some more serious thought, check my diary and come back with a more considered (and longer) list. Andrew

I'm not an expert behind the science but this must have implications wider than just a Hawksmoor / Goodman / Ramsay burger. What about steak tartare surely that is far more 'dangerous'..........?! Andrew ps I'm not saying steak tartare is dangerous but if Westminster think a medium rare burger is life threatening then I would have thought they would have got upset about eating something raw!?!

I've heard some good reports. Not spectacular but certainly sounds like it is well worth a visit and (from my point of view) significantly more convenient than Cornwall!

From a tourist - Katzs or how about Carnegies? Andrew

Couldn't agree more. The star rating doesn't necessarlly mean you will like it, will order something you enjoy (ok this doesn't apply to the FD only set menu) etc but is a way of guiding readers to standards. The FD has excellent quality ingredients cooked to the highest of standards. You might not like the theatre, some of the combinations etc but it certainly merits a top ranking. There was some suprise when it was elevated from 2 to 3 stars. From my point of view that was not to do with the quality but more shock that Michelin was willing to give 3 stars to something so 'different'. Andrew

It was interesting to see that it was not a leak but genuine mistake with their website that forced them to release the guide a week early. I think Sketch is getting 2 stars that is interesting. It is the sort of place that Michelin loves in France. I've eaten there twice although not for 3 years and each time the good was very well executed although each time I had at least one dish I really disliked. The place is amazing and the service excellent despite their attempt to up-sell wine, I ordered a £75 bottle and was 'suggested' that instead I choose something that had a little more depth (it costs £225 and I politely said no!). It is one of those place you have to go to once. The margin between 2 and 3 stars is closing. I assume it is not just quality of food but consistency. Gidleigh Park must be knocking on the door for an extra star, I can only assume that there are rare lapses. Andrew

I'd be interested in any current suggestions of decent places to eat. Not the Gingerman or Drakes (I like both of them) but am looking for somewhere different to go to for a change. Andrew

Any recommendations for top quality restaurants in Miami. I'll be staying in the art deco district of the beach but happy to travel. Thanks Andrew

My favourite was always the Grill Room at the Savoy (pre modernisation). This year I've tried the Arbutus offering which was good quality, excellent value and not to gamey (which is good from my point of view). Andrew

I will be interested in the review (and pics!) David. At £60 the tastng menu always sounds good value for money and reads well. It is one of the few places where the food on the tasting menu is not more than the matching flights of wine. Andrew

One poster in the UK forum actually admitted to videoing the server without asking for permission. See the response by the owner "The Greek" http://forums.egulle...e/page__st__330 I think you'll find that he is referring to a 'dictation machine' rather than a video recorder when the chef talks about recording what the server says the dishes are. I sometimes take photos on my iphone although my skills (I wouldn't dream of blaming the camera!) are such that they are rarely worth posting online. I have no objections to others taking photos of the food. I do object to flashes and of people taking photos of me without consent. I really can't see the fuss about a quick photo of a plate of food. Personally there is a lot more that is offensive that goes on in restaurants by diners....... Andrew

I see that Michael Mina has a tasting menu, which for some reason appears very reasonable to me......am I missing something? I had the tasting menu last time I was in LV (about 18 months ago) and was really impressed. In terms of quality and value it was one of the best meals I've had in Vegas. Andrew

So the GFG 2013 has published their top picks. What do people think? It seesm to be: 1. Fat Duck 2. L'Enclume 3. Sat Bain 4. Gordon Ramsay 5. Nathan Outlaw 6. Pollen St Social 7. Le Manior 8. Hibiscus 9. Square 10.Ledbury Haven't seem 10+ yet but No Marcus Waring and a big jump for the Ledbury. Andrew