RosieB

Okay, okay - I know - I take a long time to catch up with the conversation. Some of us have work to do, Bapi? Charlene - Bapi is already in line for a good pinching and kicking from our friend Nuria when we go to Ludlow for previous offences of general rudeness and lack of respect. I'm afraid I simply don't have him properly trained. NT this time was the best ever (I think). usually I'm stumped after the starters but I just kept going .... My excuse is I'm in training for Ludlow - essential I would say. Bapi might even allow me to write up one of the meals - possibly the Little Chef lunch he'll buy me on the way - but I doubt it. Nice to see you again: Gary, Charlene, Macrosan. R x

Bapi's dead right about Orford being a must .... especially in perfect weather but it is the sort of Suffolk village which is also enchanting in the winter. And Crown and Castle is fab. The cod dish we had was pretty scrummy - no wonder Bapi can't remember much about it as I certainly didn't offer him any. Perfect fish. Brown shrimp rissotto worked very well as well, kind of basil oil type thingy also - lots of mopping up with bread. Perfect place to stay although I shall not speak to any of you again if you go there because I shall be jealous. Gary: you are absolutely right about Bapi's not drinking and then driving. But he is also on a minor health kick as well - he takes every 40th day off drinking. He insists on driving because he's a control freak - although he didn't seem to mind me driving back from the Fat Duck? Hmmm - perhaps he's only a control freak on the weekends? And no, he doesn't wash his own socks or iron his shirts .....

Notwithstanding Bapi's prejudice on Paneer - twas truly scrummy. On size of dishes - agree portion would disappoint if you were really really looking forward to your main. And it doesn't make any different going a la carte. I didn't go for the feast because I knew I'd never face Indian puddings .... so went for starter and main, but even so the main was a small portion with the sides dishes Bapi's talked about.

Second all of Bapi's enthusiasm. Definitely got to go back. Most people seemed to concentrate on huge plates of sizzling starters. Fish outstanding. And tandoori chicken, and kebabs ... oh dear making me hungry. Specials do sell out - as Tony advised - v. quickly. But thankfully we got hold of the dry meat dish. Which was so unctious, it actually tasted a little of malt extract .... which might put some people off, but I love it. Regards Tigger. PS: Bapi's reference to the "wife being late" must be clarified ... I was working late in the office whilst HE was partaking of pre-dinner drinks. Sod.

Yes, Riverside Brasserie is pretty good. Would be lovely on a sunny day ... I had confit of sea bream on galette of crushed potato with fennel puree - which was amazing cos it was the colour of pea puree but tasted definitely of fennel without being too strong. Perfect fish and a nice bit of intense tomatoe gunk as well for a bit of bite. Recommend. Plus quite a few nice wines by the glass ...