Restaurant Reviews

I was in contact with some of the sports boys on the Rust. Not that way !!! One said that often a fan can give you a more insightful view than a reporter. That remark resonated with me in my field of restaurant reviews. The celebrity chef has dominated restaurants but you rarely hear from an owner, [...]

Just as the Roaring Twenties followed the Spanish Flu I predict by the middle of next year a real upswing in the hospitality sector. In the last week I have visited 3 quite different restaurants: a high end popular restaurant in London, a local pub and a neighbourhood Trattoria and the vibe in each [...]

Yesterday I met an old friend at the Squire and Horse gastro pub in Bury, near Arundel. It’s a beautiful part of the world. As we passed in the car under trees with golden leaves and rolling meadows I felt how lucky I am to be in West Sussex rather than London. I normally meet my friend who lives [...]

Yesterday in London I had breakfast, lunch and an early dinner in three different restaurants. I took breakfast in my hotel. Normally this would be in the restaurant where they lay out a buffet and there is a choice but because of the restrictions it was served in the foyer lounge. The waiter [...]

Yesterday I went to London for the day to have lunch at a venue (Oswalds, Albermarle St) I did not know – and dinner at one I did. Oswald was the name of the grandfather of Robin  Birley, the son of Mark who founded Annabel’s, and sold it to Richard Caring . This is the latest creation of [...]

Most restaurant critics review new restaurants but most diners stick to their favourites. I’m in the “most diners “ group and am quite happy to do my job by revisiting old favourites to check they are still up to par.  They are. English’s ticks all the boxes: warm greeting, sensible [...]

Yesterday I had my third lunch at English’s since it reopened. Why do I like the restaurant so much? They know me there and always give me my favourite table. The managers have not changed for 6 years except for Nick who passed away after leaving. The sea food is reliable. The prices are fair and [...]

My readers know how much store I put on greeting. Thus when I had made a reservation for 2 at midday at Riddle & Finns on the beach I did not expect to stand in a long queue outside the restaurant in burning heat with diners who had not reserved. The staff were still arriving and the restaurant [...]

We often hear the words  “the new normal” and “return to normality” and I  wonder how both will affect restaurant life. Restaurants are social and business hubs but increasing restraints to comply with government Covid regulations will affect this. Ollie and I were confined and then [...]