Gavin Baxter

Travel four miles out of Fort William and you can eat at the very wonderful Inverlochy Castle. Click Gavin

Round the back of FO is a new place called The Assembly, in what used to be the post office. I've only been in for a drink but it seems to be setting itself up as a Gastropub operation. The menu seemed to be quite interesting (if City-priced). Anyone been? Gavin

The Tower Thistle is deeply grim - don't do it. Between E Smithfield and the TT there are a couple of places. Aquarium, at the end of a row of twee shops in St Katherine's Dock is an OK, albeit expensive, fish restaurant. Don't bother with the bar upstairs. Had some good food here in the past. There is also a lightship (called, I think, Lightship 10) moored in the dock at the back of the TT. I've only been once but again the food was pretty good. There are a number of other places but these are the closest to East Smithfield. Anyone have any other suggestions? Has The Vestry shut? Gavin

Here's Simon Hattenstone's take on the Savoy Grill, pre-makeover, from today's Guardian: Click Here Gavin

I know what you mean! The damn things are fabulous. But I do find myself calculating the cost of each choc as I lift it from the box...... Gavin

Hi Sandra Could you be a little more specific as to the type of lunching you require? Is it high-end business power lunch material or cheap 'n' cheerful snacking or something in between? I'm sure us locals could think of something. Gavin

An interesting theory. I notice that this story gets the best part of a page in today's London Times. Here's a link to the online version. Times link Gavin

Pizza Metro Pizza 64C Battersea Rise Sw11 London SW11 1EQ 020 7228 3812

It's the Champany Inn, and very fine the beef is too. If going for Sunday lunch, don't assume that you can wander off the train and hail a cab...... Gavin

Just been round to Waterstones and they tell me that the Guide is published on 30 January. Gavin

I've just remembered - there was a Truffle Menu for 300 euros.

Earlier in this thread someone asked about the cost of tasting menus at Paris 3 stars. Having just returned I can tell you about a couple of them. Guy Savoy - 188 Euros Taillevent - 130 Euros Both of these meals were lunch, but I'm pretty sure that the same menu is offered at dinner. Gavin

Hate to agree with everybody, but I'd go with The Capital too. Been for lunch twice this year; both outstanding. As for dinner, I'll have to wait until Friday.... Gavin PS Andy, what's "Fifteen"?

Have to agree with the comments about Matthew - top bloke. The Capital is one of the few restaurants where I am happy to hand back the wine list without opening it and just ask The Man to select a glass of wine with each course. We've never been dissapointed. On a recent visit, when challenged to match a wine with a heady mix of cheeses, his answer was to split two glasses of wine for each of us, with very correct suggestions as to what to drink with what. Looking forward to my next visit in October...

Certainly is.

For anyone who has access to a BT PhoneDisc Directory thingy, there are two numbers listed for RHR. Could the second be the fabled private number? Gavin

Tony, if you managed to get that far, what was AAG's take on the restaurant?

I assume that this is a typo...or is there really a recipe for "pavement pizza"

Tim, thanks for the report. Would you be kind enough to post an indication of prices at this new venture? Just the food element would be great. Gavin

Andy, you're clearly not an IT'er because your brackets don't balance. Syntax error guaranteed.

I have to agree with Tony, I'm a big fan of CSN (and not just because it's five minutes walk from my place and they do takeaways). There's usually something interesting on the weekly specials menu.

cabrales, thanks for your post. No sign of these special offers on the WI website yet. Do you know if the GBP 700 evening in September includes accommodation for the night?

I read in the Guardian last Friday that Peter Gladwin is catering for a big birthday bash for HMTQ at the Guildhall in the City. I'd post a link but I can never find anything on their site. Gavin

Or worse... Blue Peter viewers were once asked to name a baby monkey which had recently been born at some zoo or other. The winning name, by a considerable margin, was "Spank" but of course this was quietly ignored in favour of Mickey (or some such).

I'd like to second Simon's recommendation of the Quality Chop House. Went there for lunch last Sunday and enjoyed a lot. Steak and Kidney Pie was like mama used to make, and Boudin Noir with apple compote and mashed potato was very pleasing. Well worth putting up with the buttock-numbing benches. Gavin