Mrs Woman

see here for story

Sorry to be pedantic but.... Diet = ATKINS Chef - AIKENS Neither are called AITKENS

Oh dear, what was a matter with Union Undeb? We were thinking of trying it out...

Jay and Paul, so where did you go in the end? Our weekend in the Welsh capital looms ever closer and I need to know if there's anything worth booking!

Yes but Strada is a London-only chain unlike Zizzi and PE. I'd love for Strada to haul its Ivy-assisted arse up here!

The one in Chester is quite good, much better than the dreadful Est Est Est over the road. Service can be a bit shambolic when busy but always friendly and food is the best of the chain restaurant I've eaten in (ie best of a bad lot)

Jay We are going to Cardiff in October for the Wales vs. 'some Eastern European country' footie match, and intend to try Le Gallois, The Armless Dragon (welsh grub, whatever that might be) and hopefully the new 'in' place Union Undeb. Cardiff has also been discussed here and here

well done the greek! Over to you...

No, but Spain is the right country!

No, its not in Clapham. It hasn't been reviewed for a couple of years. Hint: its cuisine is of a country neighbouring France

Nairns ain't no more: it is now the Cooks Room

I feel like the woman in the Fast Show where the blokes take no notice of her and then repeat what she said. (See post in between Thom and Andy's!)

Nope, not a French restaurant.

Ziba has moved to the Raquet Club which Martin Ainscough took over and renovated last year and made into a hotel- the old site that Thom mentioned was sold on . Bechers Brook closed last year methinks. Hope Street website is here Can't really think of any food recs, Liverpool has many bars that unfortunately serve crappy grub. www.ketchupp.com has a 'dining' guide for the city

It is in London, yes!

Right, here goes. Not sure how old the menu is. Baby Artichokes with Black Truffle on a Thyme Scented Confit Cep Roast Suckling Lamb Shoulder with Sweet Breads, Sauteed Potatoes, Garden Peas Puree and Cream of Carrots Warm Chocolate Contrast, Goat’s Cheese Ice-Cream, Coffee Biscuits and Moscatel Sauce

Er.... 1? Or 2? Oh I don't know?! Ok, I'll go for 1 - I've got a 50/50 chance of being right

Is it one of the Chapter restaurants?

Re: the very first post in this thread - Jay Rayner steals Simon's ideas once again In his 'Food for the thoughtlessness' article, Jay says "Personally, I think the Thai vegetarian schnitzel recently offered by one major pub chain ought to be declared illegal. " Tsk. The whole story

Peter, see also here for Restaurant Mag's quest for decent fish soup

That would be extremely difficult if you don't actually live/work in London, as - shock horror - not everyone does

Dunno about the Metro but that Giles Coren thought it was pretty good. Review here

No he walked out of his own accord. Now, who wants to know what became of Ed???? How do you know? I too want to know what happened to him after! Elyse, I know what happened as it shows you on the programme that he walked out! As opposed to being carried out? Of course he walked out. But we don't see why. As far as I remember, it said on the voiceover that he walked out because he just couldn't stand a minute longer in Ramsay's kitchen, and I'm sure they spoke to him about it after. I'm may be wrong, it's been a while since I saw it. Or perhaps the US version is edited or has a different voiceover?

No he walked out of his own accord. Now, who wants to know what became of Ed???? How do you know? I too want to know what happened to him after! Elyse, I know what happened as it shows you on the programme that he walked out! Right here goes peeps (apologies to Basildog, who has already read this ) On the follow up show, Ed was cooking a dinner party for his girlfriend and friends (and using a cookbook for it ). He's still pretty good on the slicing and chopping and the meal looked ok. It turned out that after Ed won the competition, David Laris (Mezzo chef) offered him a place in Mezzo's kitchens but I think he said he would have to start at the bottom and go to college. Ed decided that catering wasn't for him really and decided to leave both fine dining and the burger van behind and become a writer (not sure what kind tho'). He is a more confident chap than before his experiences and thanked his 'attitude' coach (or whatever she was!) for this. Not much I know but there was only about 10 mins of him. I think Ed is my joint fave of the Faking It lot along with the celloist who became a dance DJ.

No he walked out of his own accord. Now, who wants to know what became of Ed????