Matthew Grant

I noticed that as well, I think John Torode's teeth only rattled against his fork once this week

I haven't been for years but not long after it first opened I had a stunning meal there which got me so excited I remember saying to the other half that it would be the first Thai Michelin starred restaurant - and so it was. I wonder if Michelin, having opened up to other genres are loathe to take away the star if there is no other restaurant in that area to take it's place? There have never been any other starred Michelin Thai places and it would leave that area void again if it was removed. Maybe they should try out Mantanah in South Norwood, at least deserving of a Bib if my last meal in December was anything to go by

After various discussions comparing 1* restaurants with other 1* restaurants etc. It's been suggested to me that you simply can't do this otherwise you end up with ridiculous situations such as a one star pub getting compared to Claridges or Aikens. What you need to do is compare like with like, so compare the 1 *pub with another 1* pub and the one star French place with another 1* French place, it doesn't stop all the arguments but it certainly starts to make more sense. Subsequently a restaurant like Arbutus getting a star is understandable as Michelin recognising the rise of the Bistro de Luxe type of restaurant. It's happened before with Indian (Tamarind), Thai (Nahm) Japanese (Nobu), Chinese (Hakkasan) cuisine and they led the way for other restaurants in their area of cooking to get a star. I fully expect to see other restaurants (Galvin perhaps) in this area obtain a star in the future.

Well that would depend on how little you ordered wouldn't it? Hardens' reports an average at Yauatcha of £50 compared to £36 at Arbutus (meal for one including half bottle of wine), Squaremeal reports an average for food of £35 + £16 for wine at Yauatcha compared to £35 at Arbutus + £12.50 for wine. Timeout lists the set dinner as £19 - £26 compared to £13.50 - £15.00 at Arbutus.

I'm waiting for the call from Michelin

1 for food, 1 for service, 2 for ambience an a UK style rating of A** Not many places with better scores than that B-Dog

I'm not disagreeing that it is a good thing that all tips go to the staff. I was simply querying whether using tips to top up to the minimum required salary is the same as a tronc, I can't see much difference?

Ahem....

Hey B-Dog (I thought I'd restyle you into some sort of Padstow Hip-Hop Gangster chef), you'll be pleased to know that you get a UK-style rating of A** Of course you may also be completely unthrilled as none of us knows what it actually means! I'm sure that Richard Harden is on here sometimes, please can you let me know what it actually means and how it is judged?

So you use tips to make up the shortfall in wages to bring them up to (at least) minimum levels? Isn't this the same as a tronc? (Note I'm not judging this... at least not yet )

Have a look at some of the restaurants outside of London, some of them have a star with a UK Style rating in the middle of it. This is in the printed edition, I have a reporters copy if that makes any difference?

But what is the "UK Style" rating in the book?

Can anybody tell me what the "UK Style rating" is in the printed guide? I have a copy but can't find any reference to what that rating refers to or how it is calculated. If I remember correctly it is mainly applied to restaurants outside of London. I like the guide in general and is a good pointer if you are in an area you don't know well but I sometimes feel that the ratings are easily swayed by regulars at a particular place.

Blimey! Where you been? Realistically who would be promoted to 3 stars? The only place I can think of at the moment might be Champignon Sauvage following their refit (I haven't eaten there). What about demotions? Any predictions for those?

Yep and I fully expect mine, as well as everybody elses, to do the same this year. There is no realistic way to predict the Michelin results. As we all know restaurants that get stars often don't deserve them and those that don't often do.

I'd almost guarantee that Hibiscus won't get a 3rd star and it's nothing to do with the quality of the food, simply that they are about to move and will no doubt have advised Michelin. Michelin will probably hold off until they are settled in London. Edited to add: I'll happily be proved wrong

Are we perhaps bored with guessing each year? My eating out this year has been curtailed somewhat due some family issues but I have had some good meals. The Sportsman - if ever a "pub" deserved a Michelin star this is it. The Greenhouse - If Michelin are unconcerned regarding Antonin Bonnet's short tenure then my one meal there was worthy of 2 stars. I've probably jinxed those two now so I'll keep quiet about any other suspicions I have.

It wasn't Lord Michael Lewis by any chance was it? I wouldn't listen to what he has to say

Mr Picky is wondering about the palatability of the "leak" and onion mix, not to say whose leak it was. ← Apologies, I did of course mean Leek.

Unless things have changed I believe Mossiman's is a members only club?

Has anybody been here recently?

I was pleasantly surprised by Almeida when I was last at Sadlers Wells!

That has to be one of the most exaggerated posts I have ever read in the history of EG. If that's the most patronising thing you have read here you haven't been looking hard enough FWIW I don't think Hallie insulted people that ate in them, Hallie admitted to eating there as well!

Just to add that Neal's Yard DON'T make the cheese sandwich. The guy that does used to be based just outside the shop but he has since moved to the main market. That said it is still "THE grilled Cheeses sandwich", Toasted Poilane bread filled with Montgomery cheddar and a leak and onion mix on top. Droooooooool

An excellent reply! Thanks!