Blog

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

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?

The Brilliant continues to live up to its name, and I manage to break the £10 a head barrier at Diwana Bhel Poori. I also return to Arbutus. On another subject, Marcus Wareing 0, Jill Dupleix 1.

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.

Manoir aux Quat' Saison produces a superb meal, and Tom Aikens also delivers a high quality experience. I venture into the world of fusion cuisine at Providores, and have an erratic meal at Michael Moore.

A busy week, with an erratic and costly meal at Suka, an excellent dinner at Roussillon and another at the Ledbury. I even ventured out of London to the Vineyard, and found time for a deeply mediocre curry in Hammersmith. At which place was I sat next to a movie star?

Chez Bruce purrs along. Smiths of Smithfield wisely sticks to serving top class meat without too many distractions. Sadly chef Mark Jankels is no longer at the stoves of the Notting Hill Brasserie, and it shows. The Waterside Inn shows a few imperfections, though both the view and the bill are spectacular.

Ex chefs at Zafferano cooking at Manicomio produce a pleasant meal, and then Zafferano itself shows how Italian cooking should be done. Tangawizi produces another excellent meal; I don't usually get excited about lentils, but the dhal here is fabulous.

A superb meal at Tantris in Munich, though a poor one at Acetaia. Back in London, Boxwood Cafe is disappointing and a chain burger beats its signature dish. I have an "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" moment in Chiswick.

Munching in Munchen. A superb meal at Konigshof in Munich. By contrast Aubergine in London disappoints but the Brilliant in Southall is as reliable as ever.

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 recently refurbished Gordon Ramsay purrs along. A room with a view is the Petersham Hotel dining room. The new chef at Caprice hasn't changed the formula. I had an excellent tasting menu at Foliage and a cynically poor one at l'Escargot.

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 tale of two curries: fine Indian food in darkest Twickenham, and a return visit to Agni. Zafferano delivers once more, and a mixed bag of tapas in Richmond. Also, the Michelin France 2007 results est arrive.

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.

Bonds does a good meal despite a bear market in customers. A new tapas bar in Twickenham works well. Haandi continues to impress.

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.

A tasty meal at Eight Over Eight in Chelsea and an even better dinner at Yauatcha.