Struts

Thanks David for posting these photos, these are a great reminder of our own meal at Hillbark. In fact, just looking at the pictures reminds me that I need to get a table later this year for the autumn tasting menu. But first things first, I will be heading down the M53 to visit Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor.

Our daughter lives in Leeds and her 21st is fast approaching this Autumn. We want to start her on her adventures in enjoying the finer things in life including top quality scoffing. Any suggestions of places in and around Leeds or Harrogate?

David you must have been in possession of a crystal ball! The fine dining room at the Hillbark hotel is now Stewart Warner at Hillbark. I visited Saturday night as part of a party of four. We arrived up the very impressive driveway to the oppulent looking hotel where one of their ubiquotous weddings was in full swing. As we approached the doors the FOH manager welcomed us and led us into the bar where we were kindly offered a glass of bubbly. Canapes of smoked pork crackling and grilled tiny Morecambe bay shrimps were served with an apple and thyme sauce and accompanied by a smoked fennel soup. We were advised that chef had just developed a summer tasting menu, how could we refuse. The summer tasting menu consisted of: Cucumber soup, langoustines and creme fraiche Mackrel, Heritage tomato, nasturtium and black olive salad Terrine of Foie Gras with gooseberry, brioche and sweet wine Poached Brill with cockles, baby artichokes and broad beans Kid and crayfish with St George mushrooms and peas Blacksticks blue with apricots and amaretti buscuits Sweetcorn pannacotta and caramel popcorn Summer berry consomme, pistachio cake and goats cheese sorbet Apart from the Cucumber soup, we all felt that the combination of dishes got better and better. The brill and kid were superbly crafted and hats off to chef for the kid haggis! Service from the FOH was very attentive and they even calculated in a break between courses so we could enjoy the fireworks arranged for the wedding taking place elsewhere in the hotel. We also had the opportunity to meet Stewart and he discussed the current menu, including how he and Jenny Thoden (sous chef and partner) came up with the idea of the surprising and excellent sweetcorn panacotta... the converstaions they must have at home!! We really have splurged recently in top places in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham and I am happy to report that on the quality of this meal Stewart and Jenny are a class act and I hope more people will come to the Hillbark and ensure that they are not enticed away to the bright lights, and can challenge Marc Wilkinson at Fraiche, Aiden Byrne at Collingwood and continue to strengthen the Wirrals growing rep for food.

If you want some more ideas about fine dining in Edinburgh, combined with quality seasonal scottish produce then head to The Kitchin on Commercial Quay in Leith. Tom Kitchin strives to get as much locally sourced material into his menu, and whether for lunch of dinner you'll get a modern taste of Scotland. In the Leith area other to consider are Martin Wisharts and the Vintner rooms. All offer great food. Enjoy.

Now here is a tasty opportunity. I planned a surprise visit to Fraiche in Oxton for my wife and I, and after a few false starts I was more than chuffed to secure a weekend sitting for the middle of this month. We have both been to Fraiche before and we only live a few minutes away. Consequently my wife at the same time was also planning a surprise meal and guess where she has booked....? No afraid not. She has got us a table at Simon Radley's in the Chester Grosvenor for dinner only 7 days later. What a chance this will be to compare the different styles of these emminent North West chefs practicaly within the same week...for this all too short period of time I can feel like a Rayner, Campion or Fort. The classic french inspired tasting menu from Simon in the sophisticated Chester Grosvenor, and the humorous and molecular experience of the multi dish bespoke menu from Marc, set in a very intimate room that we have enjoyed before. I look forward to sharing some views and comparisons between the two and who knows maybe a few pictures! First stop a pint of beer at the Shrew and then a glass of something red at the Oxton Bar and Terrace, the OBT to locals.

I remember Mike from watching early cooking shows on cable/sky. Even then he was promoting true locally sourced meat, game and vegetables. After this Mike took a considerable gamble in setting up a business using the core idea of locally caught/hunted meat and game and a show was produced following the hurdles he had to overcome to set up the Pot Kiln. I was an avid viewer and this inspired my wife to arrange a weekend down in rural Berkshire with a visit to the Pot Kiln as the highlight. I wasn't disappointed, all of the dishes were presented in a rustic style using fantastic produce from the pigeon starter to the beautiful pave of roe deer. A mention should also be made to the welcoming snug of a bar as you enter offering a great range of real ales from the local West Berkshire brewing company. If only I lived closer, the local game would be a little more nervous!

As someone from the Wirral my line up for the north west would be: Marc Wilkinson Simon Radley Paul Askew

I agree with you Chris, Aiden is showing some obnoxious and argumentative traits even to the point of prefering to trade jibes with Johnnie Mountain rather than making sure he wasn't boiling rather than poaching his delicate turbot. Does anyone else think Johnnie looks a little like a rabbit in the headlights and more than a little overawed by the experience? Especially when Marcus is hovering!