Hallie

I have just returned from my annual Easter pilgrimage to Northern Ireland to visit my in-laws. I like my in-laws but I'm sorry to say, I don't like Northern Ireland. I have tried very hard over the years but Belfast (and adjoining areas) just doesn't do it for me. Neverthless, each year I put on a brave face and think about how 'this time I'm going to find good food in Belfast'. That will make it all better because I'm sure that somewhere in Northern Ireland there are really good places to eat. Sadly, I have failed again this time. We had lunch at Equinox, a cafe that sits in the back of a trendy houseware shop. Interesting sounding menu - but I'm glad I had a chance to view the dishes on offer before committing to them. Chicken and roasted red pepper on toasted wheaten sounded good until I noticed that it was all chopped into tiny bits and bound with mayo - then blobbed on top of a piece of toasted wheaten bread. Even the salad nicoise (called on the menu: salad with tuna, green beans, baby potatoes, and egg) featured an eggy ball of tuna mayonaise plonked on some lettuce. They offered three types of pasta - two were 'with a cream sauce' (my husband ordered one - his was drenched in cream and lacking in flavour). I ordered the most harmless sounding - roasted courgette pasta with lemon and hazel nut pesto - not bad but it was as if the top had come off the olive oil bottle when that little extra drizzle was added. For dinner we tried to get into Deane's - which apparently has two stars. We were told that we had to book 3 - 4 weeks in advance unless we wanted to eat in the brasserie which featured dishes such as spag bol and fish and chips. We were told that Deane's and Deane's Brasserie didn't even share the same kitchen so we declined. We went instead to Porcelaine, the self-conscious fusion restaurant in the self-conscious wannabe uber-trendy boutique hotel, 10 Square. We thought that things might improve...they didn't. Not only were we serenaded all evening by a pianist belting out U2 and Sting which is enough to put you offer your meal in itself, but the food, once again seemed to lack something. I had a fairly standard salad as a starter, hubby had white bean and truffle soup which was totally tasteless. Where the truffles were in that concoction, we shall never know. My main course was sauteed scallops with asian vegetables which would have been good had the chef not been so heavy handed with the cracked pepper and over enthusiastic with the lemon juice. Hubby had duck which he found chewy and under-seasoned. It seemed that someone in the kitchen had some very malajusted tastebuds, as dishes appeared over-seasoned to an extreme or under-seasoned to the point of blandness. Without a doubt the biggest disappointment was the dessert; marinated apricots on brioche with white chocolate sorbet . A dish appeared with three blobs across is: a pile of stewed apricots, something you'd expect to see on a breakfast sideboard at a B & B, two pieces of grilled STALE brioche, and a tiny mound of white chocolate sorbet that disintegrated as soon as it was touched - a nonsequitor on a plate. Nothing seemed to be in harmony, the brioche in particular seemed wholly out of place in its texture and blandness. On a positive note (and one always has to try to be positive) one of the Corr sisters was there that night. I wonder what she thought of the singing pianist? So, this now leaves the quest to be continued next year. Hopefully Deane's will wow me into submission and I will be forced to reevaluate my malformed notions about Belfast cuisine...but somehow...hummmm...I'm not banking on it.

The branch of Royal China in St John's Wood, has quite an extensive range of abalone on its menu... honestly give Sushi Say a go - I'm thinking of having an egullet event there in the not too distant future so come along if you can.

I have often pondered the sushi-in-London question and have come up with a number of explanations (that may sound like apologies). My brother lives in San Diego and has treated me to some outstanding sushi - dishes that the conveyor-belters at Yo Sushi could never even dream up. I know the type of sushi you're thinking about. That type of sushi (to my limited knowledge) does not exist in London. Perhaps some of the long time Japanese ex-pats who live here would beg to differ. Nevertheless, I have never stumbled across it - here's why... (in my humble opinion)... 1. Proximity of London to the Pacific Ocean makes authentic sushi a bit difficult to achieve. Chefs have to make due with other types of fish - its expensive to fly speciality fish over from Japan or anywhere in the Pacific for that matter. Of course there are freshness issues involved as well. When was the last time you saw abalone on a menu in the UK? I rest my case. 2. What you do get is expensive because its not readily available (see above reason). 3. Large portions and London restaurants generally do not mix. It doesn't matter if you're looking for sushi or anything else (see the hated A.A. Gill's write up on Thyme in this Sunday Times). Large portions (certainly by American standards) are hard, if not impossible to come by. My advice is, don't look for good sushi in London. I wouldn't go to Tokyo and expect to find an outstanding English breakfast.

I promised to report, so here I go. On our way back down from Derby we stopped for dinner at the Vine in a little Northants. village called Paulerspury. We tried to book the Roade House but they didn't have any early tables. The Vine is actually within the vicinity of the Roade House. The Vine also acts as a B and B - giving rise to a moment of fear when we walked through the paved entry way and into the haven of chintz - the scent of fried breakfast still clinging to the rose print curtains. Things got much better. If the twee cottage decor isn't too off putting, the Vine does lovely local modern British cuisine. They know all of their suppliers personally. We had: starters: - what was called a 'steamed pork pudding' : a bit like a miniature pork meat loaf - this was hubby's choice and very good, though not what I would have ordered. - Ham cured salmon with watercress and rocket salad: think gravad lax cured with 'ham' spices (cloves, etc.) Also very good. Mains: - chicken with wild mushrooms and asparagus : honestly, the best piece of chicken I have EVER had. The proprietress said that they don't usually put chicken on the menu but they have found a local supplier who does the most succulent free-range, organic chicken they've come across. My mouth is still watering just thinking about it. - venison with lentil mash and some type of red berry and wine sauce (sorry, I wasn't paying attention when hubby ordered this and then wolfed it down - I did get to sample the venison and it was top notch). The proprietress said that all of their game is shot, not farmed. Dessert: - ruhbarb crumble for hubby - not a huge fan, personally, but from what I tasted, the topping at least was crisp and perfect. - thai pineapple carpaccio with passion fruit sorbet - a stunning dessert made with lime zest and just a hint of chili. Roughly 28.00 a head - without wine (we were driving). My one complaint was the ambiance - I can't stand whispering dining rooms!! The only thing that could be heard was the tinkle of cutlery against china and that ever-so polite, B+B breakfast room mumbling!! ARGHHHH! It makes me want to jump on the table and do a tap dance! This, coupled with the chintz was a bit hard to take at times - thankfully, the good food carried the entire evening. Give me noisy London restaurants any day! I'm afraid if this is what dining in the country is like I'm destined to remain an urban girl.

Bapi you really are a font of knowledge. Thanks for the suggestions.

Hubby and I have to do a quick run up to Derbyshire tomorrow. I'm looking for lunch or dinner suggestions on the way up or way down. Nothing too complicated, too expensive or that requires too much of a detour. Your sage advice please...

It could very well be that the type of food; Eastern European with its dumpling-y, sour creamy, stodgy, beefiness doesn't have a wide appeal and might be an acquired taste. I personally love it! When I was there several months ago, I had two foodie friends in tow - both who turn their noses up at anything that they feel is substandard. There were no grumbles from the gallery.

I agree, this place doesn't get nearly enough mention. I was there in November and was very impressed. The vodka selection was impressive, but so was the wine list.

That's probably OK. What exactly does you partner taste of ? That's for me to know.

I'd like to say a tentative yes as well (depending upon dates) - make that two of us - I'm bringing my tasting partner.

Perhaps I don't get out enough but until yesterday I'd never seen fresh morrel mushrooms. I bought some at a street market in Paris, along with some delicious looking girolles. Somehow it just seems cruel to throw them into a risotto. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the most out of my morrels?

I've just searched in vain for the on-line version of the Michelin Red Guide - do you have the web site address?

I just had dinner at the QC restaurant (I know it has a name - though I can't remember it) the other week. The food, I thought was very good -especially my starter of scallops and langustines (excuse my spelling). My brain was addled by a particularly gruelling day at work so I can't at the moment recall the precise details of my main course other than it was chicken based and involved a feature I have been seeing on my plate quite frequently these days; a 'lasagnette'. A lasagnette, it seems is what we used to call an open ravioli. This particular lasagnette contained lovely, earthy truffles. My one complaint was that the service was not up to par. Aside from four other tables, we were the only diners in the room, yet we sat with our empty plates in front of us for a good ten minutes before anyone bothered to remove them, or even came to check on us. The one thing that really lets the place down is the ambiance - morgue like chilliness; lots of marble, dauntingly high ceilings and a total lack of intimacy. Some people might go for minimalist chic (if you can call a converted corporate headquarters minimalist or chic) but frankly I'd rather dine under an army tent than in an ice palace. Just my brash opinion .

I'll be in Paris on Saturday night and, having come across the problem of finding restaurants either totally booked up or closed on that day, I thought I'd try to book one in advance. Problem no. 1: My French is only passable and I don't feel confident that any maitre d' would humour me over the telephone for very long. Problem no. 2: I'm not quite sure where to go for a good modern French meal in or around the 4th (where we are staying) for no more than roughly 40 Euros per head. Proposed resolution: book a restaurant on-line. London benefits greatly by Toptable.co.uk (they only list a handful of restaurant in Paris) - is there a website like this for Parisian restaurants or am I asking for the impossible? Any suggestions for restaurants or websites are most welcome.

Peter, You have probably not had the experience of tasting a new breed of Mexican food which is quite popular in California (I can't speak for the other 49 states). It mainly consists of grilled meats/fish, salsas, beans and tortillas and is very easy on the cheese and heavy sauce. Most of these places fry their tortilla chips in safflower oil, which is very low in saturated fats. I have been told by a number of people who have spent a good amount of time in Baja that this is a largely regional cuisine. The speciality (I have been told) is the fish taco - if you have never experienced this delight make every effort to do so. It is heavenly! Pieces of Pacific fish (Mahi Mahi or swordfish) are lightly battered or grilled and served in a soft tortilla with lettuce (or white cabbage), salsa and a light sauce which seems to have some type of lemon base. Traditional 'gringo' Mexican food goes heavy on the cheese, beans and deep fried element, but we tend to forget that Mexico is surrounded by sea and fish figures into the cuisine as well. Having said all of that, I still love a plate of enchiladas made with mole sauce.

oh please please please Sandra....London needs Mexican food. I think with the right location and promotion you could do quite well.

I feel like Ponce De Leon roaming south America in search of the fountain of eternal youth (was it Ponce De Leon, or someone else?)...when will I find good Mexican food in London!? Certainly it can't be that rare, especially now that everyone and their grandmother is jetting off to Cabo San Lucas on package holidays. I have been hoping that Mexican food would be the new Thai - a cuisine that is discovered after a country becomes a trendy travel destination. So far, nothing. I did pass a place in Sheen, however called Mexifresh. It looked promising but I was unable to stop at the time and the opportunity to explore it was lost. Anyone tried it?

I have been lurking here for several weeks but felt compelled to jump in when spotting a thread about Zuccato. Zuccato has been our saviour; good reliable Italian food at reasonable prices. Yes, the pizza is very good but there are a number of other things on the menu that are worth trying as well - most notably their 'Ambergese' (that's hamburger to you and me). Honestly, this was the last place I ever expected to either be ordering a burger or to find one that was so good that it made my entire body shudder with pleasure. And I'm not even a burger lover. I'm not quite sure what they do it other than use some of the best freshly ground mince I've ever tasted. Their starters and desserts are generally very good as well (try their fabulous waffles). A perfect place to sit and procrastinate about venturing downstairs to Sainsburys.