Hallie

Just booked the Salt Yard - I'll let you know how it goes. Apparently they've already been awarded a bib gourmand. I'm quite annoyed though as it seems that most places I tried to book: Yauatcha and Levant had a two hour or even a 1 hour and 45 min table turn around time, which for a Wednesday night is quite poor. Even the Salt yard said they needed the table back by 9:30. I went with them in the end because at least they were kind enough to allow us 3 hours - possibly more if they're not too busy. But to be honest, I think this is a mean policy, considering that I'm there to dine and enjoy myself. It seems to be more and more the case with restaurants that they're not ashamed to throw you out on your ear once you've spent your cash. They've no interest in cultivating a relationship with their customers and no shame about treating you like a milk cow.

I think its going to have to be central London - as all of us work in the west end. Also, I don't want anywhere too loud - I know Levant sometimes goes a bit too mad with the belly dancing music. What we're looking for is more a case of meal + atmosphere as opposed to bar + vibe.

Sadly, there won't be any expense accounts. This is just a friendly get-together.

Is Momo still dreadful these days? Haven't heard much about it lately.

I've been charged with locating a place for 6 of us female professional types in our 30s to have a not-vastly-expensive meal in central London during the week. Requirements: fun, relaxed (perhaps even trendy) atmosphere, not too loud, not too expensive, good food, perhaps serving interesting drinks (though not essential). This is not going to be a mad night out. My initial thought was Yauatcha but I'm inclined to survey the landscape before committing myself. Help.

And on that note, do you actually think that bird flu just turned up here this week? Its probably been here for some time and was only just discovered. Its the usual media hysteria.

I'd like to explore the realm of unusual tea via on-line/mail order. Can anyone suggest a good website? (Please don't send me to the Neal's Street Tea Shop. Its time to try something different). I'm especially looking for licquorice tea - and other interesting herbal blends.

I couldn't remember the name, but yes Gail's in Hampstead is divine! The service is incredibly friendly too. Its obvious that the staff love what they're selling. Generally speaking, I agree with everyone's sentiments about this part of North London being strangely devoid of really outstanding places to eat. The same applies to Muswell Hill. People obviously have lots of cash (it seems that 5 bedroom houses near the Broadway are now selling for 2 million) but no one really seems to want to eat out. Though, the optimist in me thinks that its only a matter of time before some enterprising chef realises that the entire area's a goldmine that's crying out to tapped. I've not eaten at Toff's on the Broadway. A lot of people have warned me off. Sadly, I usually end up at Giraffe - which, if you can stand the screaming kids, seems the lesser of all of the area's evils.

Right. Booked the Square for my birthday in May. I'll let you know how it goes. Andy, I'll be curious to hear how you like the new menu. I decided on more experimental cuisine rather than more traditional. Will have to do Le Gav in the coming months. Thanks everyone.

Our experience trying to book RHR this morning: my husband rang at 9 am sharp. It took him three attempts to get through (this was now 9:05). He was put on hold for...get this...40 mins and then told that the only table they had available on the 2nd of May was at 10:30. We passed. He was so annoyed that its put him off going. They also told him three times that he couldn't wear jeans and trainers. 'I think I can manage that', he responded. Overall, not a nice impression.

The Troika's food is undeniably pretty bad. But I still feel it requires visiting occasionally, if only to help it resist turning into a Carluccio's Caffe or a branch of Rigby & Peller. ← Yet further proof that tastes differ. I quite like the Troika, though granted I've not been there for about two years and I tend to visit when its fairly Siberian outside and I need a stodge fix. There really is no denying that their blinis are amazing though, whatever you think of the rest of their food. Russian/Polish fare is pretty much an acquired taste. I know people who won't touch it but I like it and to be fair, the Troika does it well. However if Goulash and potato pancakes aren't your thing, you'd best go down the road to Sardo or the Sushi place.

I would do anything to be back in Belsize Park. I used to consider Belsize Park to be slightly short on gastronomic haunts until the evil hands of the property market dragged me from my lovely (tiny) flat on Belsize Grove to the REAL gastronomic desert of N10. While I know there are many who will argue that my lot is not a bad one, I still feel the pain of not being near a good butcher's (Barratt's on Englands Lane) or within a stone's throw of La Provencal ( the deli on Haverstock Hill). When once I scoffed at Tootsie's and Tapeo (the sort of okay Tapas bar also on Haverstock Hill), I now am faced with a choice of two dodgy pubs, a chippie whose fish is virtually inedible, a revolting Indian take-away, a Tennessee Chicken outlet and two greasy spoons which to profess to sell sandwiches and fry-ups by day and kebabs and pizza by night. Come back Black & Blue, all is forgiven. Some suggestions for NW3 (other than those mentioned above): - Artigano in Belsize Village used to be amazing. A real local secret. They're owned by the Etruscan Group - the same people who run Il Convivio on Ebury Street. They used to be as good as Il Convivio but I believe they've had a change of chef and gone down hill since then. It might be worth a try anyway. - Bagel Street on Haverstock Hill does really nice bagels. - Cafe Violetta on England's Lane is a nice place to go for a latte or a freshly made smoothie if you can find a seat between all of the prams. - The Rosslyn Hill Deli in Hampstead (about a 10 min walk up hill) is a complete mecca. I challenge you to go in and not buy something. It's impossible. The back room is filled with American imports since the area has been colonized by people who's businesses have paid their relocation expenses. - There's a new bakery on Rosslyn Hill (Hampstead) - I don't know the name but the foccacia is like pure heaven. - The fishmonger's and the vegetable stand next to the Hampstead Market on Rosslyn Hill are both very good. -Belsize Park is really well situated for Primrose Hill. A 10 minute walk down the hill and Odette's is at your disposal, along with the Troika, which undoubtedly is the best Russian food I've had in London - the best blinis at least. There's also a Sardo (Sardo Canale) in Primrose Hill which is fab. - Bradley's (Swiss Cottage - another 10 min walk west) is very good and rarely gets any press. Hope that helps lift your spirits. Islington its not, but NW3 does have a charm all of its own. I'd be back there in a flash if anyone could spare me 1.5 million.

I'm not sure that I am taking to the big 3-5 at all. I've realised that in 15 years I'll be the big 5-0. And 15 years goes very quickly. Yikes. Le Gavroche seems to be winning, but I'm very swayed by the Square's menu. The problem is that there's nothing so nice as really good service. Decisions decisions. I've tried Pied a Terre - but pre-fire. Not been to the Glasshouse as Kew's a bit far out. Maybe one day.

I'm just pleased to see the Bill's is getting the recognition it deserves. When I stumbled across it in Lewes, the place was singlehandedly almost enough to make me consider relocating from London. It's an absolute mecca and worth every ounce of praise. Although it may sound perverse, the idea of a chain of Bills's sounds quite appealling, though I realise that it's quite a contrary notion. What makes Bill's such a winner is that it is so anti-chain. It will be interesting to see how the future pans out.

Hummm. Been looking at menus of all three. Of course, my first choice is Royal Hospital Road but as we've been told that we have to ring precisely at 9am, exactly one month before the day we want a table or we haven't a snowball's chance in hell of getting in, I have to come up with an exciting alternative. Le Gavroche seems to be winning, but the menu at the Square sounds more inventive. Am I right in thinking that Gavroche is more traditional and the square more innovative?

Of course this is all contingent upon securing a booking for a Tuesday night in roughly a month's time from now. Which would you recommend for an intimate, not-too-stuffy, dinner a deux for someone regretting turning 35? I've not tried any of these before.

I'm glad someone started a thread on AA Rosettes because I really don't understand them. I've been to a number of Rosette winning places and never been particularly thrilled. What is the criteria on which they (whoever 'they' is)base their awards? And what exactly does a restaurant being given a rosette mean?

Actually, they're blind. I'm not joking.

Okay. So we're now meant to be preparing ourselves for the ultimate dining experience transplanted from Paris to Clerkenwell; sitting in the pitch dark while eating. Apparently the dark is meant to heighten our awareness of taste - but this begs the questions: what if the food is crap? Do I really want to taste it? How am I meant to find my plate - let alone the food on it? How do we pour the wine? And finally; should I bring a bib?

The person who should be knighted is Paul Rankin - for services rendered to the people with tastebuds of Northern Ireland. Went to Cayenne in Belfast between Xmas and New Year - Hallelujah! I had a divine breast of pheasant. The in-laws ordered steak and chips. No surprise there. But Rankin has also made my wait for a flight at Aldergrove Airport (co. Antrim)much more tolerable as he's opened up one of his cafes there - and the coffee is brilliant. But seriously, I think he's single-handedly begun a revolution and people like him. His potato farls and wheaten are pretty good too.

Hallie, This is a painful but sure-fire way to kill sugar cravings. No weaning, but possibly some whining: No sugar or high-glycemic starches for 1 solid week, preferably 2. Best way to figure out what's not allowed is to search online for the Atkins Induction phase and follow that. After about 5-8 days depending on your body, you will just not crave sweet stuff any more.... but during that phase you're sworn off sugar, starch, fruit, milk, grains, etc. I ate a lot of salads, cheese, and nuts when I did it. And also salads with cheese and nuts. I know about the holiday sugar thing, I'm in the same situation. Cookies! Mmmm, cookies.... Andrea http://tenacity.net Thanks for the advice, though giving up starch sounds too much like the fatal combination of dieting and giving up smoking at the same time. I have cut back on sugar considerably already - though still tempted by these evil things lurking around my kitchen. I usually just stick to sugar in my coffee, fruit and the odd biscuit/cookie. This is how I manage to keep the balance right so I can indulge when its worth indulging, rather than just packing myself full of junk on a daily basis . One has to live a little, no?

I'm so looking forward to healthy eating after 3 weeks of indulgence. The problem is that a.) I seem to have developed a holiday addiction to sugary things I usually never eat (huge amounts of chocolate, Christmas biscuits, Christmas cake, crystallised fruit, etc.) and b.) most of this stuff is still lurking in some form around my house. Solving the second problem is much more straight forward to the first (but throwing it all away just seems so cruel - yet that German stollen will fell me at every turn if it's still in my kitchen by next week). Any suggestions as to how I can wean myself off sugar? Things I'm going to make this week: -warm salad of spinach, mixed beans and tuna (with balasmic vinegar and red onions - no oil) -small piece of cod baked in foil with tomatoes, olives, basil and lemon - sweet potato and butternut squash soup (made w/o oil or dairy but with fresh chicken stock) - something hearty and healthy in my new (Christmas gift)slow cooking crock pot (any suggestions?) Going to the gym at least 3 times this week. Banning alcohol. One vice: coffee (though no more than 2 cups - a girl's got to be bad sometimes...) How long does it usually take people before they fall off the waggon again?

You're all amazing. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. You've got the cogs of my mind spinning now.

I must say, I've been mighty impressed by the photos on the terrine thread - but also a little bit daunted - so it's back to the drawing board. I need a light but special first course for Christmas. Not smoked salmon. I was going to do pan fried scallops with pancetta and a balsamic reduction over rocket, but then realised that the whole afternoon should not be about me hiding in the kitchen but spending time with my guests who I've not seen for ages. It would be better to make something the night before and then whip it out when the time came. So this is what I'm looking to serve; 1. something light 2. something that can be cooked the night before 3. probably something seafood/shellfish (no oysters) or vegetable based 4. something interesting (not soup - far too dull) Can anyone think of something that would fit this description? Help MUCH needed. (Thanks)

I need suggestions. I'm considering doing a light shellfish/asparagus terrine as a cold starter for Christmas. Never made a terrine before (but have made pates). Does anyone have any ideas about where I might find a good idiot proof recipe that fits that description? It doesn't have to contain asparagus - just something light and fishy. Also - is it possible to make terrines in a multi-tiered steamer? Anyone tried this?