Matthew Grant

Isn't there a thread for this place already? I could have sworn I had reviewed it before? Well I can't find the thread so here is a review form march last year: And here is a review from Yesterday: Another great lunch in Speldhurst yesterday. Homemade bread with lescure butter was excellent, the homemade hummus was a little overpowered by raw garlic and perhaps a little bitter. A starter of Salamis and local cheeses was very good, nice Chorizo, and Parma but the cheeses were in excellent condition, annoyingly I forget what they are even after asking They came with nice pickles and a little salad. Main course of venison casserole with Madeira and Thyme seemed to have had the thyme replaced with tarragon and was lovely full of wintry veg and falling apart venison. Served with this (as are all the Sunday lunch options) was various steamed Brassica leaves, nicely seasoned and excellent roast potatoes that showed no signs of having been reheated. I was too stuffed for pudding after eating too much of the bread Well worth a drive.

Chilean Seabass is also known as Black Cod? Is it? I thought Black Cod was Sablefish and Chilean Seabass was Toothfish? ← I believe chilien seabass and black cod are very different ← Glad to see a National Restaurant critic with such a thorough knowledge of the product he is reporting on.

Chilean Seabass is also known as Black Cod? Is it? I thought Black Cod was Sablefish and Chilean Seabass was Toothfish?

A further clue - it sells just two wines, both its own. One white and one peculiarly sweet red.

Indeed it is....

Europe

I should add that this is the whole menu.

Grilled Prawns Prawns in Garlic Prawns in Batter

Which strangely enough was my backup guess - that Robuchon > Ramsay>Atherton chain seeming the most obvious one.

Robuchon?

you got it.

Grilled Langoustines Grilled Sole Grilled monkfish Pumpkin pie

Educated guess based on your celebration the other day

Quillon?

I'm not defending them (I don't need to ) I was genuinely curious as to where you thought were similar.

I'm curious as to who you think offers similar cooking and value?

Surely Michelin demonstrated that they weren't only looking at haute places when they started giving pubs, Indian restaurants and Chinese restaurants Michelin stars? I think it is simply a natural progression that fits in with the popular dining styles of the day (though given that there are no Fish and Chip restaurants with a star I may be wrong )

Unfortunately you are applying your own criteria which is giving you a skewed version of a michelin star. Michelin do not rate service under the stars, this comes under the fork and spoons awarded. you'll find plenty of luxurious country homes with superb service carrying for or five f&s's and no Michelin star, just as you'll find plenty of michelin starred restaurants with lower ratings for service. One does not necessarily correlate with the other

Agreed, and then some. There's no way on earth a nice little bistro like Wild Honey can be rated the same level as Foliage. ← Remember that a michelin star means "a very good restaurant in its category". I think we can take for granted that Arbutus wouldn't be in the same "category" as Foliage. Unfortunately, it's not a simple case of comparing one star restaurants with each other, perhaps Michelin need to define categories as well?

I caught a few minutes of this last night (it's like a car crash I just can't help watching it occasionally) What is with the shouting at each other when they are trying to decide who wins? Why do they always each favour a different contestant? The "Passion speech" thing - what a load of bollox. And as for choosing TV friendly people that became evident after the Scottish guy failed to identify any of the ingredients but still got chosen to go through? What is the point of identifying the ingredients if that is going to happen? At least the winner did show something a little different, I don't know why they even shouted at each other over who was going to win, it was quite clear she was the best/most interesting chef there. On a positive note they both seem to have stopped the bad eating habits (maybe somebody is reading this thread). If they could now simply take the fork out of their mouths and something approaching a normal speed rather than the slow withdrawal we have now. If any of these contestants really want to work in a restaurant go and knock on a few doors and you will get the opportunity.

As a london foodie I was surprised by your suggestion, never heard of Number Twelve, the following are a number of very sound ideas...... Top spots Pied-a-terre – currently my number one spot in London Gordon Ramsey- I guess he has to be on the list, our last meal, Dec ’06 was shockingly poor!! Petrus- now two star and coming of age, worth a visit. Tom Aikens- one star, high end and high maintainence food Ll’Autre Pied – sibling of Pied a terre, more casual but still very serious food. Arbutus- Frith Street, very good foodie food in a simple bistro format with a star Scots - a traditional fish restaurant relaunched this year and a big hit. Ristorante Semplice, Currently the HOT Italian spot. Zuma- a trendy but very good Japanese fusion joint, big scene! Atelier de Joel Robuchon- I love it here- works well for a couple as you mainly sit up at a bar sushi style, they do have a couple of tables for 4. Ledbury- one star, bright young Aussie chef. He is out a little in the edge of Notting hill, elegant room and good wine list, very good but fairly simple food. Galvin at Windows- Restaurant and Bar- top floor of the Hilton hotel, go great view over Hyde Park. The restaurant is a little sterile but does offer the best view and food combination in town. Galvin- baker st, this is by the same guys as above. A favourite of mine for simple bistro deluxe food, in a very busy west end sitting. Royal China- baker st- just a few doors from Galvin, is for my money the best Dim Sum and Chinese food in London. Racine- a fab traditional French hot spot, with robustly traditional dishes in a typical Parisienne room, a firm favourite. Zafferano- I am told that it is getting back to its former glory, much improved over the past few years. Greenhouse - there has been a change of chef here but the standard is maintained. A very elegant room with really fine food and outstanding wine list, a favourite! Locanda Locatell - I have had some of the best and worst dining experiences of the past two years here. A real celeb spotting joint, Chris from Cold Play and Gwyneth seem to live here. Indian- Amaya and Rasoi Vineet Bhatie both of these are one star, Amaya I think is probably the more elegant dining experience, but food in both is extremely accomplished. HOPE THIS HELPS ← Nice first post but he was after Modern British

I cross posted with Sunbeam and that just about seals it for me. it's quite clear they choose on personality/broadcastability rather than decent cooking. Hence those crappy "He's only just started cooking but once he calms down and learns he could be fantastic...." type comments that we often seem to get. I haven't even bothered one episode of this series.

Personally the thought of being judged by a fruit and veg salesman and a short order chef doesn't appeal. Also I don't think I could stand there listening to Torode's lip smacking, spoon on teeth rattling without ramming my Santoku somewhere life threatening.

The clientele at the Square is now mainly Oligarchs and other Uber Rich businessmen rather than an Essex based clientele. Foamed Sauce = no skin may be true but it also sinks if it sits on the pass too long under heat lights For me the Capital has a bloody awful room and warrants a single star at best.

Agree