Blog

This week I try Pantechnicon and Rooburoo, and revisit Rhodes W1, Roussillon, the Ledbury and Haandi

I revisit the Glasshouse, and go back to old favourites Zafferano and the Brilliant, new favourite Cambio de Tercio and my local the Brackenbury.

I try the new Maze Grill, The Abingdon and revisit Amaya. I also try the best that Hampstead and Wimbledon have to offer.

I continue to be impressed by Zuma and Royal China, have a slightly below par meal at Bentleys and enjoyable dishes at Rasa Maricham and Tarantella. Also some Top 50 thoughts.

We continue the series of occasional chef interviews with Lionel Rigolet of Comme Chez Soi.

The highs and lows of Barcelona, and the Top 50 Restaurant list comes out.

I have “Christmas” at the Fat Duck, revisit E&O and Giusto, and have a dismal meal at Hunan.

This week I try the newly re-launched Launceston Place, revisit the Devonshire and the Brilliant, and bump into Albert Roux

This week I try Haozhan, revisit Zafferano and the Fish Shop on St John Street, and am reminded just how bad service can get at the new Hammersmith Keralan restaurant Shilpa.

The series of occasional chef interviews continues with Shane Osborn.

This week I revisit Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, try Bord’eaux in Park Lane and revisit Haandi.

I visit Cheltenham and try Le Champignon Sauvage and Lumiere. Mint Leaf has a chef change and I have a fine meal at the Fat Duck.

The Carpenter's Arms serves up tolerable food but hilarious service. Roka is still on form, as is local pizzeria Tarantella. Also, the Michelin waifs and strays.

A week in the deep south of the USA. Also, Udit Sarkhel resurfaces, and other news.

The official Michelin France 2008 results.

I try out Tom’s Place, and revisit Cambio de Tercio and Tangawizi.

My occasional chef interview series continues with Aiden Byrne. Also, some new web site features.

I try Urban Turban, and revisit Hibiscus, the Devonshire, the Brilliant and Diwana Bhel Poori.

I venture to the wilds of Croydon to try Le Cassoulet, sample newly Michelin-starred Quilon, and revisit Atelier Robuchon and Royal China.

I try Rasoi Vineet Bathia, Clos Maggiore, Dehesa and the Grill Room at Browns, and return to Diwana Bhel Poori.

I try Champor Champor, Pearl Liang and The Duke of Sussex, return to Chez Bruce and reflect on the Michelin UK guide.

I enjoy some lovely Indian food while on holiday in Goa.

The Michelin UK Guide comes out

I visit Angelus, compare Michelin starred Benares with Madhu’s in Southall, and enjoy the new menu at Zafferano.

I try Tom Ilic and Yumi, return to the Fish Shop on St John Street and the Brilliant, and try eating in Harlow

Simple British cooking is alive and well and living in Hereford Road. I return to The Devonshire and Royal China, and venture to darkest Pinner in the search for Indian food.

I try the new Landau at the Langham hotel, and return to Kastoori in search of top vegetarian Indian food now that Sabras has closed.

I revisit Hawksmoor, and return to old favourites Zafferano and Haandi. Also, my 2007 culinary highs and lows.

I go to the "other" restaurant at the Dorchester and enjoy it more than Ducasse. Tangawizi continues to impress but not even the Brilliant can rescue a turkey curry. Various Michelin guides come out.

I venture to Alan Yau’s new venture, Sake No Hana, and mix with the celebs. I return to Madhus in Southall, and to Tarantella in Chiswick.

This week I try Rowley Leigh’s new Cafe Anglais, revisit Odettes, find a pizzeria with a difference in Giusto, and savour a remarkable special at the Brilliant. The Michelin 2008 Spain guide comes out with little change, but by contrast the new Michelin Tokyo Guide lands with a thump.

I try Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester on its opening night. I find Semplice to be an impressive Italian restaurant, and have very enjoyable meals at Yauatcha and Haandi. Michelin Germany 2008 comes out, and arrives with a bang.

I spend Diwali in Southall and meet Prince Charles. Cambio de Tercio seems transformed, and Pizzeria Rustica is all too rustic, at least in its staff hygiene training.

The chef interview series continues with Joachim Wissler, chef at the superb 3 star restaurant Vendome in Bergisch Gladbach.

This week I sample the newly opened Hibiscus, and revisit Gilgamesh, La Trompette, La Trenta, High Road Brasserie and the Brackenbury.

New site feature - interviews with top chefs

I venture to the wilds of Hoxton to try Bacchus. Gordon Ramsay arrives in Chiswick in the form of a pleasant gastropub, while Gary Rhodes Brasserie disappoints. The Fish shop on St John Street and Rasa Samudra deliver as usual, but I encounter some dismal service at Bar Shu.

This week a revamp works wonders for Le Vacherin, I have another excellent curry at Haandi and try two Italians: my old favourite Zafferano and new kid on the block La Trenta.

In Boston, I enjoy the vibrant spicing of a real Sichuan restaurant, but am uninspired by two of the highest rated restaurants there. Back in London, Zaika shows how to make proper biriani.

The New York 2008 Michelin comes out.

The Ledbury sails serenely on. Indian cuisine meets Austin Powers at Mantra. The Brackenbury continues to set the standard for a top quality neighbourhood restaurant.

Lisbon has some great seafood but most places I sampled seemed unable to cook it very well. Tamarind is pleasant but pricey, and Foliage delivers a solid one star meal. Chefs seem to be queueing up to open in London in the autumn.

My foray to Norfolk is a culinary let-down, but a really promising restaurant opens in London at last. Diwana Bhel Poori and Zafferano continue to excel in their very different ways.

The Phoenix Palace delivers a capable meal, which is more than can be said for the much-hyped Wahaca. La Trompette and the Brilliant were also on form. I go to a rice tasting, the new Good Food Guide comes out, and I'll be on telly on Monday.

This week saw a fine meal at the Brackenbury, tasty Thai food from the Fulham Road branch of Patara and another excellent curry at Madhu's in Southall. I also have a new toy.

Harden's Guide comes out, and generates some headlines. Also some shameless self promotion: I'm sure all you foodies are familiar with Octane magazine...

A good value Italian discovery in Trenta this week, along with excellent meals at Trompette and Rasa Samudra. I also forgive Racine for the dismal experience I had there when it opened, and find it has settled down just fine. Sadly Boys in Chiswick is a classic: "nice decor, shame about the food" experience.

Roussillon delivers another enjoyable meal, and an excuse to eat the gorgeous chocolate desserts here. Tangawizi continues to set a standard for Indian cooking that few in London can match, and Royal China continues serenely along.