SamanthaF

The Glasshouse at Kew - a Bruce Poole affair (Trying to impress Andy

It's interesting that at this late date you got a table for next Friday? What time have they 'given' you?

So come on Circe, put us out of (or into) our misery

Ignore me, I'm not here

I'm sorry but from what we have said Andy, obviously not. The whole evening (aside from the company and wine) was pretty much second rate.

Er,..... No

Yeah - you can tell, because he is just about to drop his camera

Further to Macrosan and Scott' s two penneth worth - here is mine - but I'm more pricey so mine is ten penneth worth For starters I had the special of foie gras with a spiced pear. Pleasant but teeny weeny tiny. I've had bigger foie as a garnish! The pear was somewhat 'soggy' and I failed to detect the spice. NOT worth the £10.50 price. I think I was the luckiest with the main, I had the confit duck with haricot beans and a red wine sauce. It was 'nice'. I don't mean that to sound trite, but I feel confident that I can repeat the dish at home. For me, I like to be impressed when I eat out so that I say "WOW - how did they do that?", or "That's good, what is in it". For Pud I had Vanilla Icecream with Chocolate Sauce. OK. Enough said. I was not overly offended bt the food, but I was waiting for the Candid camera crew to pop out. The language barrier was almost comical The wines were very nice. A very interesting evening, with very entertaining company.

With a hint of lead pencil

Went to the Capital for lunch today - as usual, superb food. Managed to have a chat with Matthew - what a nice bloke. I'll let the Mister put the lowdown on later

I'm with Yvonne Liver must help my liver yeah???

When I was living in DC, I used to get a taxi to the TJ's near Alexandria just to buy decent fresh produce, a good selection of canned soups and well priced decent French wine.

I had lunch At Zafferano today, and it was very good. I much prefered it to Locanda Locateli. I waiting for Scott to take me back now

That is fair enough, and I would not argue against that. (fair play if you can get 2 sittings at 1 table). What I don't particulary like is that when you call for a reservation and they tell you that if you sit at 7.00, you must be gone by 9.00. Thanks Henry

Henry, On egullet we often discuss/debate the deliberate policy of turning tables, and setting dining times. What are your thoughts/views on this matter. Thank you very much for participating in our egullet world

I thought it looked more like Diddy David Hamilton

Thanks Yvonne! I haven't been there for a while, but it was and still remains one of my all time favourite meals. What time was your booking to secure the table for 4 hours? Mr. R is a table turner

Avoids for high end (for me through experience) would be Equinox, Bice and Butterfield 9. Ebbitts and the whole Clydes Group as a low/mid end are also no no's, unless with friends who are only there to drink the beer I find them to be great no brainers for anonomous dining alone, but the cuisine - nah! Heard great reports about Bombay Club, but I've not been there.

British Beef is the best I've tasted.

For the more expensive meal (or within expenses budget if they have an offer ) The Melrose at the Park Hyatt is my big draw for DC. (previous posts/reviews re; Melrose in this forum can be seen if you do a search)

A mere 45 minutes away from Charring Cross/London Bridge Again for the geographically challenged T. Wells is east of London, so it's easy from the west. Still no easier from the east. A little further east is the excellent La Terrasse at the Sandgate Hotel near Folkestone, stunning food and very reasonably priced accommodation on the sea front. Er....Tunbridge Wells is very much south of London. Coming east or west (by train), you still need to make your way to Charing Cross/London Bridge to get there. Driving aim, for the A21 off the M25.

Hop on a plane to the U.K and order a huge F#%£ Off fry-up in the greasiest cafe you can find. Must contain sausage, bacon, egg, fried bread, fried mushroom, fried tomatos, black pudding and baked beans, Works a treat

Affordable, excellent local shack food can be found at Oistins every night, with Friday night being the big party night where locals congregate to eat freshly marinaded barbecued fish, with rice and peas with Macaroni pie. (Oh to be there again )

A mere 45 minutes away from Charring Cross/London Bridge

I used to love flying fish cutters, purchased from Mr Delicious on Enterprise Beach.