Gavin Convery

Hmmm, I won't bother replying to any of the more inflammatory remarks other than to say that Newcastle is actually quite a nice place these days (and that from someone who couldn't wait to leave for London). Anyway I am back and can report for all Geordie gourmets that a trip to Seaham Hall is essential, besides being understatedly contemporary in design, and the staff being unfailingly helpful and friendly, the food is not half bad either. Lunch was £19.75 for three courses and was as follows: Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Parfait with toasted brioche and gooseberry chutney presented in a cup. Sea Bream with Lobster and Pea risotto (yumm!) Chocolate Tart I see it has three rosettes in the AA and an entry in Michelin (no stars) They also own (as noted) Treacle Moon anf the Fisherman's Lodge which I have yet to try BTW Anyone been to Three Acres a gastropub near Huddersfield - food was a bit rich but tasty.

How far off the A1 is it - I'm always looking for good stop-offs on the way to Newcastle. Or if you have any other suggestions.....

Jordyn, You're certainly going to be packing in a lot on this trip - I guess you'll be driving but what you must remember is that although a lot of France's roads are excellent, you are going to be doing a lot of cross-country driving without the benefit of motorways. Getting to Michel Bras is particularly fiddly and the trip to L'Aubergade is also going to be mostly cross-country. On the other hand both are worth it - I certainly had one of the defining moments of my culinary education at L'Aubergade (although it wasn't so good when I returned there). Both places are lovely to stay in, especially Bras if you delight in Modernist architecture. For your stay in the Dordogne, I can recommend Le Vieux Logis in Tremolat, no stars (but a new chef and I would imagine they will regain next year), the hotel is also very comfortable. It is an easy journey from Puymirol and then a direct road via Bergerac to Bordeaux. There is also a 2 star a l'Eyzies-de-Tayac (sp?) but I don't recall the name and I haven't been there.

I ate here about 5 years ago so maybe things have changed, although it had 3 michelin stars then. The staff were lovely and the Chef even came out to say goodbye to us. But I have to admit that I found the whole experience a little bland - a disappointment as I was anticipating great things. This was in a trip which included visits to L'Aubergade and Michel Bras so there was a high standard to match up to. As I say this was five years ago so don't be put off.

I'm off home to Newcastle for the Jubilee week and as I haven't really eaten out there for ages, wondered if anyone has any new suggestions for where I might go. I guess the Cafe 21 empire is still up and running but other than that there seemed to be a bit of a dearth of decent establishments. I'm happy to travel into Northumberland if necessary - was there a rumour of something decent near Morpeth??

I'm spending a week in Lake Garda, Limone to be exact and looking for some advice on restaurants in the area. Ones that come to mind are La Tortuga in Gargnano, Villa Fiordaliso in Gardone Riviera and Miramonti L'Altro in Concesio. Does anyone have experiences of any these or others at the same level. I'd be interested to know their attitude to children as I have a 4 yr old (very well behaved) - we'd only be going for lunch.

I ate at Roussillon twice last year and although the first visit was enjoyable, I must admit the second was a disaster. My wife's monkfish was overcooked and frankly disgusting. I hope things have improved as I liked the ambience and the waiting staff were very good. The wine list was also excellent including as it does on of my favourites - the Macon-Clesse from Thevenet (also available at the Fat Duck in the rare botrytised form)

I am travelling to Burgundy in August to go to my vineyard (well my friend bought me a share in a vineyard for a year as a birthday present!) and I'm looking for restaurants (and hotels) in and around Beaune (or if it is worth it I may stay in Dijon). I've been to a few places arounf there: Lameloise, Hostellerie du Vieux Moulin. I'm interested if anyone has tried Le Jardin des Remparts in Beaune itself. Plus is it worth going out of our way to the Cote d'Or?

Like most people I use the Michelin but take it with a pinch of salt as there are too may reports of it demanding non food related standards. Plus as my favourite restaurant is Maison Bricourt I can't forgive it for not giving Roellinger 3 stars. On the other hand G+M made him chef of the year a few years back and have constantly sung his praises, also it is a good read at least in the french version and their website is not too bad: http://www.gaultmillau.fr

I ate here about 5 years ago but it was rather overshadowed by trips to Maison Bricourt. From my recollection you sit around a central courtyard which is fully glazed where there appear to be vegetables growing - a nice touch. The presentation was excellent and I seem to recall enjoying the meal but that was 5 years ago. I think they had 2 michelin stars at that point and 17/20 in the G+M.

Was the Verdots wine from Clos du Verdots near Bergerac - I would be interested to hear your opinion as I was there last year and their '97 was absolutely stunning

Anybody tried Aperitivo in Soho, I've heard mixed reports but Time Out liked it and it is run by the Assaggi crowd for what that's worth

I went to Tentazione about 18 months ago and wasn't that excited by it, nowhere as good as Zafferano.

I would be happy to eat at the Fat Duck more often if it was in London but being a lazy sod and suitably encumbered with wife and child that isn't an easy option. I would highly recommend Maison Bricourt to anyone not just for the food but for the ambience and service also - I would love to find its equivalent in London but have not yet done so. Michel Bras is also wonderful and is in the most amazing modernist hotel I have ever stayed at.....but I guess I should make these observations on the French board...

Wanting to try a different theme other than french for my eating out I'm looking for some recommendations for Italian restaurants in London. Already rang Locanda Locatelli and booked up until july! Been to Zafferano's several times, so don't want to go there. Any other ideas that I stand half a chance of getting in somewhere in central London (not Barnes or Putney etc.)

:confused: I have to say that this is all getting a little too nerdy. At the end of the day the question is whether the food tasted nice or not. I'm sure all these chefs are happy to admit to cross-fertilisation, indeed Roellinger and Bras are friends and I'm sure I read somewhere that Blumenthal knows Bras. In fact one of his waiting staff worked at both Maison Bricourt and Michel Bras. For what it is worth I have eaten at all three restaurants (Maison Bricourt about 7 times as it is my favourite restaurant in the world, period) and I have to say that the Fat Duck does not reach the heights of the other two, despite the definite invention (for the UK) shown by Mr Blumenthal - I particularly enjoyed the red pepper lollipops.

I can vouch for the Cheese Block as I am East Dulwichite, but roll on the opening of the new East Dulwich Deli on Lordship Lane because they can be a bit miserable in the Cheese Block - you can also pop in to Le Chardon for some not too bad French bistro grub while you're at it....

Did I gather from another post by Andy L that Charlie Trotter is planning to open a restaurant in London. Any details??

Young bin - what sort of restaurant is it? I know of a japanese restaurant called Noto up there but didn't rate it. Now that I have found K10 (a kaiten just off London Wall) I wouldn't go anywhere else for japanese. Thanks for the other tips....

Simon, Thanks for that, I'll definitely give the Fox a go and funnily enough I am planning to go to the Real Greek or its sibling next week - have you tried the new Meze place - I read a good review on the thisislondon website.

I've just moved office to near Moorgate station and I'm looking to expand my list of decent restaurants in the area for lunch. I've done the obvious Coq d'Argent and the excellent K10. Any other ideas?

I know I'm a bit late on the bandwagon here but I just found this website. My experience at Nahm was very enjoyable and an interesting comparison to my favourite Thai - Mantannah in Norwood. I don't remember the cost (so it must have been a lot!) and the waiting staff were fine and good looking enough to keep my wife drooling. I would definitely go here again as some of the flavours were unlike any I had tasted and I'm always looking for new tastes.