Loving Annie

Andy: Good to know! Food Snob: Thamk you, thank you, thank you. This was the final decision for me, hearing yuor feedback. Exactly the consciseness I wanted. Will e-mail you.

Good Monday evening to you, Phil D, Two bloggers with very refined palates, even if their reviews are from a year or more ago! Frankly, it's a bit confusing. Usually Andy Hayler, et al. are good gauges - and then the general public tends to agree as well. But in this case, opinions seem to be so split. Genuiness at wordpress hated it and his fine dining blog opinions were spot on. I am happy to spend more than 150 pounds per person for a truly scrumptious meal. I loathe spending even 75 pounds for a mediocre one. (Waterside Inn is a good example - highly rated with 3 stars, the food was nothing impressive compared to Gordon Ramsay RHR or The Square or Hibiscus, and VERY overpriced.) Grrr - I guess I won't know unless I try it for myself.

Polarbear, Thank you:)Let us know how your meal was, okay?

AnsyHayler still seems to adore this place as of Feb 2010, giving it an 8 out of 10 on his website. I am really hesitating. So many other reviews on both square meal and elsewhere say the food isn't as good as at Gordon Ramsay RHR, and it is overpriced. So here's what I want to know about Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester - who (besides Michelin) loves it???

Nikloman and Bainsey: Lords of the Manor for lunch it is:)!

Good Monday morning to you, Bainsey. How are you? I read that article. If there is some additonal recognition given to them by Michelin, GFG or AA, then we would definitely try it on a future visit. Read some 2010 local reviews which were not as favorable, which is why we are hesitant right now.

Good Monday morning to you, Hot Trotter. Thank you. That is useful to know about the gfg outside of the city not being as relaible. I think I have it down pretty well now, much appreciation to you and everybody else who has spoken up! Because our vacations tend to be culinary delights - as well as historic/homes/castle/gardens explorations, we will divert our driving to restaurants having at least one Michelin star AND a minimum of 3 AA rosettes. We got lucky and snagged a reservation at Whatley Manor in Wiltshire for dinner! (Also are going to go to Chapter One in Kent on the way back to London from Hever Castle.)

PhilD, We decided to end up going to Chapter One - mainly because it is halfway between Hever Castle in West Kent where we will be visiting in the morning -- and London, where we will be in the late afternoon. We will try The Sportsman in Seasalter on a later trip, maybe next year when we go to Sissinghgurst, or Canterbury. Thank you for the suggestion!

Christina, Thank you! Oh my, I had no idea they were gauged so diiferently. If AA was a hotel inspector, I could see it. But on food alone, well, that is odd. Maybe they were trying to evaluate the whole experience, but that should be moreso on a 4 or 5 rosette level, I would think. And even so, sublimne cooking is sublime cooking - even if the carpet is old, you aren't eating carpet:) And the owner-run criteria is even stranger. Who cares, as long as the place IS well-run?

Tim, It really IS a small world, isn't it? Computer message boards help with that, too:)

Which of the two would be best for a delicious lunch? And why? (We will be visiting the Hidecote Manor gardens, so in the general neighborhood, and happy to have a pretty drive.) Vineyard at Stckcross lost their 2 Michelin Stars because the former Chef left, and the new Chef started in October 2009, too soon to be included in the November deadline. However, Chef Daniel Galmiche appears to be quite ambitious, and has cooked at Michelin star level for 22 years. Lords of The Manor Chef Matt Weedon already has One Michelin star. How to compare the two? Anyone dined there recently who could answer this? Thanks:)

Sheepish, Thank you. You'd be fun to go to the Michelin Starred restaurants with then - I could cover the vegetables, pasta and dessert -and you could cover the fish, meat and wine! We'd have quite a comprehensive review to write up afterwards:)

Judy B - thank you so much for those 5 suggestions ! I will look each of them up:)

Harters, If the GF Guide is a good gauge of fine dining, (is it?) then Adam Simmonds at D.H. would be very worth a visit if that was accurate - And he should earn a Michelin Star next year.

Good Thursday morning to you, dear Sheepish. Go to The Square! Most assuredly go to The Square. Had an excellent meal there last April, and also in 2008. I have a website that has all my Michelin starred London restaurant reviews if you want to take a peek. TrueTravelTreasures.blogspot.com We just made reservations for Lords of The Manor.