Blog

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Two new modern British places this week - Gary Rhodes W1 and Skylon. Also contrasting styles of Indian food at the Brilliant in Southall and Rasa Maracham in, er, Kings Cross.

I have a generally good meal at the Cinnamon Club, and I venture off the tube network, though only as far as the Hinds Head in Bray. I have a stunning meal in Vendome in Germany, but also meet Germany's answer to Basil Fawlty.

The Geales relaunch does not fire on all cylinders, but the Brackenbury motors serenely on. Zuma produces another superb meal, while Salt Yard reigns supreme in tapas, even if it is run by Australians.

The Thai Bistro is no more, but Budsara is born in its place. Hawksmoor produces a fine steak, while Deya serves up some terrific Indian dishes. I get a further lesson on why it is unwise to leave the tube network when eating, this time in Warwickshire.

Sonnys continues its return to form. Two different Spanish experiences this week with Barrafina and Moro, while Kiasu is that rarity in London - a Malaysian restaurant. Canteen underwhelms but Zafferano makes up for it.

Meals this week at the Capital, Foliage, Hakkasan, High Road House, Madhu's and Agni. I also find the most expensive beer in London at a restaurant - £9 a bottle anyone?

Another busy week, with meals at the Fat Duck, Pied a Terre, Gavroche and Locanda Locatelli. After all that French and Italian food I needed a curry at Haandi.

A mixed week, with ever-reliable Haandi showing up some of London's trendier venues. Rocket in Putney has everything right apart from the kitchen, Green and Red in Shoreditch disappoints while I jump into the Deep end in Fulham. Also, a fine burger in W4.

The Brilliant is successfully refurbished, while St Alban struggles to deliver value for money. I had good meals at Pearl and Yauatcha, while a new Lebanese restaurant is erratic. For the revamped Gordon Ramsay stay tuned next week.

A fishy week, with meals at Scotts and the Fish Shop on St John Street. The under-rated Rousillon continued to show high class technique.

Good meals at the High Road Brasserie and Royal China. The Michelin results are (except France) mostly in, and an odd lot they are.

Two good bistro meals at Tom's Kitchen and High Road Brasserie, and from the sublime to the ridiculous of Italian food: Zafferano v Vino Rosso in Chiswick

A generally good meal at Maze, despite dangling wine glasses.

Tragedy as Stephen Black leaves Berkeley Square, but on the bright side a smart new Vietnamese restaurant opens in Smithfield.

Tom's Kitchen is a great success, and Zafferano continues to deliver top Italian cooking.

Excellent new chef at Sonnys in Barnes, top Indian food at Haandi and a sneak visit to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

The Brackenbury shows how to do local bistro when so many others disappoint. The Thai Bistro is simple but pleasant.

Pied a Terre shines after its reopening. Zuma shows why it is so popular, and Patara is the best Thai restaurant in London. High Road House opens in Chsiwcik, and the luvvies love it.