VARIOUS ‘07

Here at Laughing Pines
Where the party never ends

A bit late but what the hell. So, in no particular order these are my best and worst of the year (UK only).

Bouquets to:

La Petite Maison for that Chicken and Chef Raphael Duntoye’s friendliness and generosity

Magdalen for just about everything

The Granville for Baby Dover Sole and a superb Antipasti plate.

Margot’s for food you’d want to eat every day * not forgetting the freshest Mackerel I’ve ever had (so that’s how it’s supposed to taste) and the friendliest crew – no wonder it’s the hardest res in town

The Pot Kiln where I had the best Pigeon and Venison…Ever !!!

The Narrow mmmm... Faggots

The Sportsman for fabulous Native Oysters and Thornback Ray (and half bottles of champagne…hic)

Brickbats to Eyre Brothers, Vanilla, Stanza and The Duke of Cambridge who really need to try a lot harder but probably won’t

The wooden spoon goes to LMNT II which was not very nice and where I watched the kitchen gather for an impromptu debate regarding my Belly of Pork before finally deciding to serve it crackling side down. In the gravy.

And finally apologies to HS for not posting about Hibiscus, Texture, L’Autre Pied, The Goods Shed, Thomas Cubitt, Stanza, Vanilla, JSW and The Mercer (cos I a lazy git innit ?) which I may try and revisit at some point. Assuming they’re still around.

* Although I find the Sticky Toffee Pudding a tad dry