Blog

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

I revisit Madhu's and have a malai chicken tikka that dreams are made of. My monthly visit to Zafferano is as good as ever, but Matsuri disappoints. My TV appearance firms up.

Pearl serves up a slightly inconsistent, though mostly good, meal. E&O seems busier than ever, and the cooking seems a little sharper to me than on previous visits. Haandi is as consistently excellent as ever, and I judge a TV dinner.

Does London need yet another over-expensive yet carefully marketed bistro? Le Gavroche delivers a solid, if imperfect meal, while the Brilliant is a rock of reliability and value in Southall.

A busy week. Haandi, Zuma and Yauatcha all deliver reliable meals, but the week was really all about comparing Le Manoir au Quat Saisons with Hof van Cleve and Oud Sluis.

I revisit Umu, the controversial Japanese restaurant. Another excellent meal at Zafferano, but a poor burger experience at Ground. Tangawizi in Richmond continues to impress me. Also, a new site feature, some food quizzes.

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.

An Italian week: Theo Randall v Zafferano. At the lower end, Chiswick gains an authentic pizzeria. One more terrible hotel meal makes me wonder what they get up to in hotel kitchens, but Royal China's dim sum almost makes up for it. Finally, is Whole Foods over-priced and over here?

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.

Summer fun at the Taste of London festival