Gavin Convery

I actively like Pizza Express because if you've got kids then the virtues of (usually) reliable food which you know they will eat far outweigh any snob values of it not being authentic in some undefined way. Hmm, yes and I suppose I am middle-class whatever that is these days

A glowing review from Circeplum in yesterday's Metro...

Bruce, Sketch is currently my favourite restaurant in London, in fact I'm going there next week for dinner. It is in equal measures tasty and exciting (personally I find it more successfully experimental than the Fat Duck). I believe that some of the dishes are direct correlates of Gagnaire particularly the dessert. Pricing has recently been restructured to make this a more feasible experience with a degustation menu for £80. Like Howard I have not been to Gagnaire but it is top of my hit list for my next trip to Paris on the basis of my experience at Sketch. Here's the website if you haven't been: http://www.sketch.uk.com/

Personally, I would skip RHR and go to Sketch..about the same price with the new menus. If you want dinner at RHR then you have to book exactly one month in advance as you mention. Sketch is much easier to get in to. I wouldn't miss St John Bread and Wine, probably at lunch and have the razor clams if they're on...but it is a fair way from South Ken. South Ken area is good for Racine.. much liked on this site and you're not too far from Foliage and the Capital, both good choices although I would probably go for the Capital over Foliage. Tom Aikens isn't too far away either and I think you have to book exactly one month in advance there..it seems to be quite difficult to get in as I have not succeeded as yet.

Yeah, I did wonder that....but the food was fine and that's all that matters....

A quick rec for the Palmerston on Lordship Lane in East Dulwich. Newly refurbished and with an ex-chef from the Wolseley. I started with Foie Gras pate with onion marmalade, then on to lamb with aubergine croquettes, dessert I can't recall. Bottle of Ca dei Frati for £21 and a nice D'Arenberg Shiraz with the lamb. Total bill for 4 was £200. Service was good and this is now the best restaurant in East Dulwich. They also have a hand in the trendy Sea Cow fish and chip shop/fishmonger down the road.

Lovely report Bapi.... Is it hard to get into the Waterside Inn? I would certainly be tempted to combine a weekend staying here with a quick trip to the Fat Duck as a nice contrast.

Hmmm, so not many places actually in Aix then? I'm hoping to combine some sightseeing with lunch so really want to eat in Aix itself......

Unfortunately, Clos de la Violette (2 Michelin stars) is not open on Monday as are most restaurants in France...thanks for the rec though

The White Hart is OK but is trying to be better than it really is and not particularly cheap. It is kind of urban chic in a cotswold ex-pub.

A popular destination which I will be visiting for the day shortly. Do any locals or others have any recommendations for lunch on a Monday (I know!) Please feel free to add more general recommendations for Aix also.

Thanks Jellybean. Indeed I am looking for restaurants that are not necessarily haute cuisine but display some integrity to the region and the ingredients. You say Le verger des Kouros servers simple food...is it GOOD simple food?

I couldn't fathom that out at all. It deserves at least one...and personally I found it one of the most exciting restaurants I have been to in London. In comparison a trip to Gordon Ramsay RHR is a dull affair.

Robyn, Well sex shops vary in terms of how hardcore they are...not that I'm an expert The best bet is to go to Ann Summers if your looking for lingerie, toys etc. There's one on Wardour street. If you can get to Old Street in the city there is a women-friendly sex shop called Shh. Videos can be purchased in some of the seedier ones. I think most wine bars serve hard liquor as well, there are no particular restrictions I think. Upper Class is fantastic, even the food isn't too bad and the wine is usually very good quality.

I have spent many drunken evenings in the Cork and Bottle which is just between Leicester Square and Charing Cross road just next to a Sex shop down some stairs. Good wine list with some hearty food, no reservations as such but get there early.

Sheekeys is part of the Ivy chain and specialises in seafood - it is generally considered to be one of the better seafood places in London without being haute cuisine. It has a nice atmosphere and isn't too celeby. east@west is fusion with a new australian chef who was apparently well known back in Sydney. I can't vouch for the food though as I haven't been there but the food/wine pairing menu sounds interesting from the Decanter review. In terms of other places there is also the Lindsay House in Soho although I felt it had gone downhill since Richard Corrigan is not cooking there anymore; you could also try the French House dining room in Frith street - it used to be run by Fergus "St John" Henderson's wife but I'm not sure who is cooking there now. There is another ex-Nico place - Deca - down Conduit St (same street as Sketch) which used to have some cheap early menus. There aren't really any pubs I could recommend for food in the centre of town. Here is link for some more ideas - I can't vouch for the food at most of them: http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/lo....php?Sel_ID=133

Incognico used to be good for pre/post theatre - I think it still has some association with the Ladenis family. There's always the Ivy...LOL...but you probably won't get in there so what about east@west just up the road...it got a good review in Decanter magazine but I haven't been. Also there is Sheekeys which is good for either of those locations.

I went at Christmas and loved it - with the new price structure I would say it is not to be missed...unless you're going to Paris in which case Pierre Gagnaire is the obvious replacement.

Gary, Can I take this opportunity to thank you for all your reports from Paris...I know that sometimes we write reports without any response it can be a bit disheartening but be assured that I am reading them and appreciating your efforts. rgds, Gavin

Well, I am off to Provence for a few days at the end of the month,specifically Alain Ducasse's Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de Celle. Does anyone have experiences of this hotel or the area. GM gives it 16/20 so I have some hope, but I'm looking for some lunch possibilities not too far away. The Guide Gantie leads me to Auberge du Parc in Correns which is a 'Bruno' restaurant and Le Verger de Kouros in Cuers which sounds interesting. Any other ideas??

Seaham Hall is not so good now that they have a new chef...but it's not so far to Newcastle where the chef has moved...for the life of me I can't remember his name (John something) or the hotel he has moved to but it is in the GFG. Also you have the original Cafe 21 and maybe Fisherman's Wharf

Just a bit tongue-in-cheek that post...but as I fortunately still maintain my figure despite egullet membership and keep my balding pate suitably cropped I can just about carry it off....plus I only have daughters so no competition from a son

I have plans to go the Hotel du Centenaire in Ezyies-les-Tayacs during my summer hols - it has 18/20 in GM and 2* - it sounds relatively cutting edge - anyone been?

Blazers? Sports Jackets....snigger. Hey, I'm 42 but that's no reason to dress like your dad. I find a simple black velvet Jasper Conran suit with casual shirt for the winter and black linen Woodhouse suit for the summer usually covers all bases....

I suppose its a factor of what you order but other than a nice Cote Rotie from Delas I wasn't impressed - the half bottle of late harvest Tokay Pinot Gris was dull,dull,dull especially at £50+