the UK Dining Guide
the UK Dining Guide
Dear Dine Online
Why not try the Cross Keys Restaurant,
1 The Cross Keys Chequer, Queens, Street,
Salisbury, SP1 1EL( 01722 320933)
Excellent Food, Excellent Wine, Excellent Service and Good Value too.
Maxine Keighley October 20 1999
Dear Dine Online
The Old Fire Engine House, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Perhaps you would like to include that restaurant in your reviews, probably under "good restaurants near Cambridge" and "trad English country cooking".
Wander past/through the kitchen on the way to the back room, see the pike curled up in a bucket by the back door, syllabub for pudding, seconds, if you want them, not expensive, nice relaxed atmosphere, art gallery.
Kids are welcome, I believe. - from Tom Gardner Oct '99
Dear Dine Online,
I came across your site completely by accident and found it very interesting and entertaining.
I read with particular interest the article on the Negresco Hotel at Nice.
I can highly recommend the Hotel Chateau de Germigney which is the Jura, near the Swiss border in France. The head chef is none other than Pierre Basso Moro, the ex-second chef to Dominic Le Stanc when he was chef at the Negresco. He was praised by the restaurant to have kept their Michelin star for the two months between Dominic Le Stanc leaving and the new chef arriving.
Pierre is now doing wonders in his restaurant L'Orangerie at the small Manor, (14 rooms). After having been open for only two and a half years, he received his first Michelin star in March.
A charming restaurant, a beautifully renovated chateau...what more could you ask for. You can also see their website (linked to the Relais&Chateaux website)
Best regards, Nicola Maurice - October 1999
Dear Dine Online,
Very interesting site (particularly as I work in Surrey and live in the Cotswolds, areas which have good coverage on your list). There are a couple of restaurants which you should not ignore if heading out to the Cotswolds again:
- Le Chavignol, in Chipping Norton, French eclectic/ modern British. Michelin starred, and excellent. Run by the people who used to run Lovells.
- Morels, in Chipping Norton (practically opposite Chavignol). French French. Fantastic food, and even better value (Chavignol is about twice the price, but has an amazing wine list). Morels is a little less formal, but more French.
Anyway, congratulations - Mike Rea
As you are inviting people on your website to send in comments, here is ours regarding Luca's in Surbiton:
Having recently been to this little gem, we can only confirm what is written in all the glowing reviews. One particular comment came flooding back when eating there last week: ...there's so much individual detail in these dishes, a kaleidoscope of vivid and sharply focussed flavours..." this is what truly made it a meal to remember, an absolute experience for the taste buds. Innovative and exciting yet not overpowering, this balance is difficult to achieve but Luca's seems to have managed just that.
Full marks from us for this great little restaurant with its expert chef. We will certainly go back there.
Regards - Peter + Jackie September 1999
ECO PIZZERIA, CLAPHAM, LONDON SW17 I have been going to eco since it opened, being a big fan of Clapham and the changes that have been steadily happening to improve the whole area. Eco, started it all...and still stands out as one of the best pizza restaurants in the country, with far superior pizzas than Pizza Express, larger, cheaper and better than Pizza Hut (of course) and in a restaurant which has an amazing West End feel to it ..very buzzy, modern and friendly. Clapham is a much better place for this restaurant. Sami never forgets a face and is always charming and helpful. Absolutely superb - July 1999 Blond100cc@aol.com
I am a foodie (in the extreme) writes journalist and food writer Jenny Kendall-Tobias and I must mention a meal we had at the OXO Tower Restaurant last evening. It was absolutely fabulous.
My fiance's parents came down from Southport for an evening in London and we decided to dine at the OXO because of the wonderful view of London. I feasted on a terrine of vine ripened tomatoes with grilled Crottin de Chavignol which was tasty, light and beautifully presented. The suckling pig (with black pudding) which followed had everyone groaning and moaning in sheer delight. It was divine. I shall be returning for a business lunch there on Friday of this week and I can't wait. It's a corporate date so I think I might push their boat out and have the lobster!! - May 1999
Soho Spice hits the spot with Rutger and his family
We had an excellent diner at Soho spice tuesday May 4th, 1999. We liked the atmosphere very much. Service was very good and it was Uttar Pradesh month. Man, wife and daugther of 15 had a very nice dinner. The only hing was that service is not included in the price.
Bye!
Rutger van Oppenraaij, the Netherlands
If any of you ever venture out to the wilds of North Yorkshire do make a detour to The Blue Lion at East Whitton (which is close to horse racing country at Middleham and of Leyburn - good for auctions). This is a lovely pub on a village green and the food is superb - a few notches up from the usual pub grub. An excellent wine selection and many available by the glass.
Beverly Hetherington. Twickenham. Middlesex.
I visited the new Cafe Med opposite Saddler's Wells Theatre in Islington a couple of weeks ago, having already visited Fulham, Kensington, St John's Wood, Goldhawk Road and Dean Street.
The new Saddler's wells one is one of the best - although I like all of them. The atmosphere is a cross between a restaurant and a club in some way it is hard to explain. Check it out
Christopher Head
I had a wonderful meal at the Greenhouse Restaurant in Mayfair not long ago and found the whole night one of the best dining experiences I've had since eating at Bel Mondo and Forty one in Sydney. I have to make a special mention of the desserts they all sounded absolutely fantastic and when I finally decided on one rhubarb with ginger icecream it more than lived up to expectations Thoroughly lives up to expectations and I would recommend it to anyone
Megan
From Stewart D. Macfarlane The Priory in Wareham is close to the River Frome. The Abbot's Restaurant has an excellent menu. One the two evenings I ate there in February 1999, both meals were excellent. It is not so much as a meal, but a total experience. From the moment you arrive, you are presented with a menu to make your selection either in the Lounge or the Bar. Drinks are served with canapés to allow you to make your choice. Starters include a Chicken and Asparagus and a Wild Mushroom Salad. Having decided against the soup on the first evening, not being too fond of salmon, Ham and Pea Soup was served on the second evening. Main courses included Veal Chops and Fillet Steak - Remember however, I cannot do justice to the presentation and service. The menu includes a Beef Wellington for two at £45.00. Being close to the South Coast, fish dishes also feature. Come dessert, I opted for the same selection both evening - Chocolate Maquii, with Drambuie Anglais. Having received awards for their cheese board, it did not disappoint. My colleague was presented with a wide choice including Somerset Blue and Cornish Yarg. The table d'hôte is currently around £26.50, with the a la carte prices being around £7.50 for first course, £20.00 for main course and £6.50 for dessert/cheeseboard. What better way of enjoying your meal by also staying at The Priory. All the rooms have character, and the wonderful service continues throughout the establishment. Contact Details:- The Priory, Church Green, Wareham Tel:- 01929 511666; FAX:- 01929 554519Jean Lannie Jeanbarlow@email.msn.com writes: I visited the OXO TOWER restaurant for my birthday on 27 Feb with my husband and daughter of 22. The service was excellent ,the food interesting wine OK.........views and ambience stunning...a real eating experience enjoyed by us all!
Mark Hatenboer Hatenboerm@rpsplc.co.uk writes There is a wonderful country house hotel in the heart of North Wales called Tyddn Llan, in Llandrillo, near Corwen, Jason Hornbuckle is the head chef there, and was trained by Bruno Le Bout, it has 3 AA rossettes, but I've eaten in higher rated establishments and thought the food wasn't as good as his
The Plumed Horse in Crossmichael, near Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway, South-West Scotland
Hi! My name is Michael A. Thom and having dined at this establishment on a number of occasions, I would strongly recommend that you add it to your list! The food is beyond criticism and the service superlative. If you book a table here, you are a guest for the evening but leave as a friend for life. Try it, you'll agree!!!! :) Michael A. Thom.michael@n-ary.com
The Rainforest Cafe, Shaftesbury Avenue W1
We have been a several times in the rainforest cafe. It's a real nice place to be. We liked it very much We like all the topics.The food and the cocktails are splendid. We recommended it to a lot of friends. Many thanks for being there [and reviewing it] Hope to have such cafe in Belgium too.
Nancy Vandekerkhove, Belgium
From Walburger@access.ch Patrick Walburger 9037 Speicherschwendi, Switzerland *********************************************** Have recently been at the Oakroom [Marco Pierre White's Restaurant at the Meridian Hotel Piccadilly]. Food was in general worth the three Michelin-stars. Lobster and Pigeon were both fantastic. Dessert was too heavy and under the quality of the rest of the meal. Service was (except of the chef de service) a disappointment. Especially in comparison to the top service one is enjoying by the highly motivated crew of Gordon Ramsay.
We ate at Chez Gerard Knightsbridge (formerly the Brasserie St. Quentin> on Christmas day, 1998, and enjoyed an excellent meal there! Seated in the downstairs room, we had a quiet meal for three served by an extremely friendly but unobtrusive, attentive and courteous waiter. Our food was excellent. We recommend Brasserie St. Quentin to anyone visiting London who would like to enjoy good French cuisine. The Becker Family, January 1999
Hello, Like your site and pleased to see so many local haunts listed: Hunters (Alresford and Winchester), Hotel du Vin, Chewton Glen, etc. Do you ever get into Sussex? How about the Stonemasons in Petworth for a pub lunch, or try the rack of lamb in The Badgers, near Petworth (order in advance - it sells out quickly). Did you try the Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon from Martins over Christmas? Found it in Tesco and it went down well with the beef wellington. Regards, Ben Lovegrove + ben@lovegrove.co.uk + http://www.lovegrove.co.uk/bgl/
Readers' comments, Nov-Dec 1999
Earlier readers' comments
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