MobyP

Pugster - I'm exactly the same - although I'm agoraphobic (can't stand huge crowds of people), so I usually get to the market for 8.30, and I'm gone by 9.30, when the crowds start kicking in. But when I first went there, I'd get struck snow blind and end up only with half of what I needed. As for names - they're difficult to spot. Booths is the nearest veg place when you're walking towards the market from Neils Yard Dairy (i.e. you turn right towards the market, and it's just there on your left - opposite the fish and poultry places). It also has large crates of the most amazing mushrooms - where everyone else only has a basket or two. Criminis - I think - are just called brown mushrooms here (they're the young ones - cultivated as opposed to wild - that grow into portobellos. right?). I've seen them in supermarkets - but I'm not sure about Borough. Veg is very expensive, so make sure you only buy there what you're not going to find anywhere else (eg cavalo nero, radicchio traviso, porcini - yes. Carrots, mire poix - no). The more often you go, the more you'll learn these things. As for meat: the Ginger Pig (on the same side as Brindisia, but further down) does the most mind-bogglingly good pork. Gloucester Old spot, Tamworths (and there's a third one I forget - something like Pod). These are the old breeds, which they raise themselves. Apart from Niman Ranch, I'm not sure America has anything comparable. Does anyone know who does the best meat? And has anyone tried the herdwick lamb? What characterises it? The poultry place does great game, as well as european poultry (but not Bresse). And if you're in the mood for some fancy-pants cooking, they have the cheapest foie gras in town - it's Belgian, but pretty good. Also, their chicken carcases are 50p each (for stocks, etc). You might find them cheaper elsewhere. I tend not to stray into the pre-prepared section of the market, past the train tracks. Although there's a good Italian stall there that sells different olive oils - I've had some really nice ones from there. Unfortunately we're in the dead zone for olive oil right now. The new season's about to come, and everyone's trying to get rid of last year's stock. So I stay away from the good stuff until Jan or Feb. Also, I had a croissant there the other week, opposite the 'wild beef' or whatever that place is, and it must've been three days old, and tough as boot leather.

Is that post-facto or ad hoc bitchiness? Or of the grabbing the waiter by the lapels and threatening to turn his poodle into the INS if we don't get another piece of foie gras - kind?

While not very impeccant, and modestly impeccunious, and keeping Scott's motto in mind, I'd think this discussion comes with 2 possibilities. 1) If we have dinner (£55), then there's more leeway on wine. 2) If the tasting (£75) then there's more on food. My preference would be towards 2. Andy - could you give us some estimates on cost + service for the two options, so people can express a preference?

Well - even quick polls take time it seems. I called, and the Friday (30th) was booked. So Thursday 22nd Jan we are. They're sending me the details. Apologies in advance for Friday morning.

Ok chaps - a quick poll. Option (1) Thursday 22nd Jan? Option (2) Friday 30th Jan? We'll have to go with a quick majority, I'm afraid.

El nino - Do you live near by, or in London? Do you stay the night, or make the journey especially?

Ah - prophetic words... I called them and found out that - just today - they'd booked the room out to someone else. They have every other day that week, however. I had them pencil in Saturday 24th January. I hope this will be okay for everyone.

With Andy's as-yet-given stamp of approval, we may have our 14. Magnolia has raised her hand... Andy Balex John T BLHiggins Jonathan Day Melissa Moby Kate (Mrs P) Circeplum tarka Jack Scott Magnolia Enrico So - do we want a back-up drop-out list?

I'm sure BLH is right. Chez Bruce, although delicious, is a bit of a trip - and the capital, apart from having more stars, will be easier to get to. Might not be easier to get a reservation though.

[Edited for hysteria, poking fun at split infinitives, squinting modifiers, and hirsute American actresses.]

how did I get left off the list? Sorry mate. You know. Prescription medicines and stuff.... Can't trust myself to count past 10. Andy Balex John T BLHiggins Jonathan Day Melissa Moby Kate (Mrs P) Circeplum tarka Jack Scott .............12

Please note : some of these links may require free or paid registration to view. Others may be used in court as a demonstration of poor taste and/or low moral character. Ever in the attempt to improve our service - This week we have a new and glossy fold-out Features section. Feel free to remove, and read on the Bus! This week's selection comes from: The Times The Independent The Guardian The Observer This is London And the new Observer Food Monthly. Restaurants Terry Durack at Chinoise. Mathew Norman at Rosemary Lane. Marina O'Loughlin spots Three to look out for. Jan Moir Momo at Selfridges. Maschler on the entirety of Australia. Amateur sleuth Master Finkelstein caught with Nipa. Mathew Fort at The Tickers Arms. Jay Rayner on being too-often confused for a Dominatrix, and the joys of Lindsey House. Marina O'Loughlin - a quivering steamed pud, a jug of custard, and a spoon. What more do you need? At Rhodes 24 Melinda Stevens goes to Rhodes 24. Another at Rhodes 24 Features Looking into the problems of international farming subsidy inequities, and the struggle to overcome protectionist markets, Andrew Purvis researches Fair Trade Brands. "I could have opened a safe little brasserie like the Ivy" - Rachel Cooke talks with Maourad Masouz - the man behind Sketch. Xanthe Clay tracks down breathtakingly sharp Japanese Knives. The art of Japanese Fishmongery. English Food Special Dan Lepard on the quest for the perfect bread, using traditional mills. Nigel Slater - fun Yorkshire puds. Jill Dupleix on the Greatness of Kedgeree. Heston Blumenthal - Snail Porridge. Chocolate Recipes. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall wants to kill his own breakfast. Mark Hix shows you some extremely sexy things to do with day-old bread. Marcus Wareing part four: Perfect Roast Chicken. Your loved one dumps you for your best friend. You get fired from your job. Your dad's discovered running down the street in women's underwear. It starts raining, and you get arrested for somewhat illegal behaviour with the neighbour's dog? GORDON RAMSEY on being alone. Wine Price and prejudice - Tim Atkins on spending serious money for Serious Wine. Cellar notes #6: Degrees of Separation. Superplonk. Tim Atkins on Australian wines. Andrew Catchpole guide to buying Champagne in France. Part 2-ish.

Andy Balex John T BLHiggins Jonathan Day Melissa Moby Kate (Mrs P) Circeplum tarka Jack = 11 Andy - what say you as to total numbers?

Ah ha - the old Long arm of the Filch. Yeah, I heard you were pretty fast. BTW - that was a superb review above.

FG - Technically it is some form of salting/boiling/braising/burrying beneath a yak for 40 days and 40 nights/slicing/dollop o' mustard/serve on rye/get that big boy down ya. But that's bein', like, technical. Culturally I got no idea.

The Atlantic would be fine for a dinner fall-back plan - or a drink and/or lunch if you were in the area - but if you only have a week, I'm not sure you should put it on the 'A' list. I suggest Tom Aikens. Exquisite meal and service, although a couple of people here have had mixed affairs - I'm hoping it was due to its recent opening. And the Pied a Terre - a few people have had pretty nasty experiences - you should read the threads if you have time. Chez Bruce, though a bit of a travel, hits the pleasure centers. And Patiss. Valerie - well - it's a bit standard. If you had an 'A' list place near you, I'm sure it would be fair competition (I'm off to Paris this weekend to track down the Pierre Herme place - then I'll know what I'm talking about!) If you're really into food, as opposed to just eating, Borough market is a pretty cool destination. Though some of us try to get in and out before others. Best of luck.

The most popular and 'authentic' salt beef shack that I know of is on St. John's Wood High st - which is close to Swiss Cottage. But we're talking the real thing here. No packets. I just had the pastrami at Harrods - and it was pretty bad. They also have salt beef. Of course, you could always use it as a cheap excuse to stick your nose into the white truffle box. Not that I'm sayin I did that, mind you.

Why have Nobu in your list - I thought there was one in NY - are they so different? I think there is some serious cooking going on in places like Aikens, the Square , Chez Bruce, (Andy'll know). If you want to venture away from Indian food (not that any of us should, mind you), there's some wonderful stuff out there.

Yeah - what he said. Ok - I had to remind myself I've been there. Must be jealous over the prose. No - damn it - I have to go again.

Andy Balex John T BLHiggins Jonathan Day Melissa Moby Kate (Mrs P) 8?

Friday 23rd Jan, 2004?

I think if we go for ten, we'll probably have to wait until mid-late Jan. Time to gather the troups, make arrangements, etc. But a smaller group could always do a commando raid. I'm on for either.

I can't possibly raise my hand high enough to answer that call. How about Mr. Tseng?

I feel honoured to have made the cut. I'm still struggling with a possible thanksgiving menu. The problem is - too many non-gourmand palets to try anything fancy. So I was considering maybe traditional Northern Italian - - some torta to start - pear, pecorino, chard, maybe. - tortellini in brodo - an excruciatingly slow-roasted large shoulder of Ginger Pig Gloucester Old Spot, rubbed with a fennel spice rub of my own devising. (Although someone mentioned doing a pasticcio - a tortellini pie with meatballs, ragu, and a great pie crust - sort of a Desperate Dan affair - feeds the ten thousand, but it takes 3-4 people to make. I did it alone once, and it took me three days. I need a number for rent-an-Italian-Mama tortellini folding service.) - Maybe sprouts. - Italian style gratin of potatoes - Probably need another veg - any ideas? I only have one oven. Not sure about desert. A semi-fredo and something with a slice of thingymajig, and a dash of you-know-what. The only thing I have for xmas that I definitely want to try is a terrine of foie gras and duck confit - there's a Ramsey recipe that looks fairly simple, and you can do it a day or two before. Or foie gras and artichoke heart. (Also, I found a v. reasonable place for fg at borough - the poultry shop. It's pretty good.) I always have some confit in my fridge, and the prep doesn't look too difficult. If I had less people, I'd definitely go for a couple of stuffed capons. Stuffed with dastardly things, a la Jonathan. The problem is I think I have at least 16 - and I've never cooked for that many before. Anything but turkey - too much work for too little returns. A great four-rib roast? Okay - I'm turning the tables. Given the foie gras terrine as a starter - what do I feed 16 people - all age ranges and taste buds? The Anything but Turkey xmas lunch.

Right - I've cleared my diary. You've talked me into it. When do we go?