And the food isn’t bad either, with globe-trotting chef Mark Gregory (once New Zealand’s Cultural Ambassador) offering an eclectic menu from around the world.
l If you’re up North and you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to eat in the middle of a tropical rainforest – complete with swinging monkeys, trumpeting elephants and cascading waterfalls – then look no further than Manchester. Europe’s second Rain-forest Cafe (0161 864 4220) opened on Thursday in the Trafford Centre.l If there’s any hint of an Indian summer this month, head for Edenbridge in Kent. Honours Mill (01732 866757) – the restaurant owned by swimming champion Duncan Goodhew and his brothers – has just added a huge balcony to allow for al fresco dining. This picturesque establishment, in a converted water mill by a pond, offers top-quality Modern European food.. WATCH THE YOUNG couple on the Tottenham Court Road trail in search of a bed. One ducks down to give it a quick press, the other walks around it with a silly smile It gives them a warm feeling
The couple in search of a sofa is something else.
Both parties will sit on it happily, cosy into a corner when no one’s looking. Quite often, though, they will loll at either end and tap their fingers, a grim tableau of a bored future stuck on Couple Island. l The Holland Park eaterie Julie’s (0171 229 8331) is a favourite haunt of Prince Edward, Richard Branson and Madonna. Sandro practices the preparation of food with love and respect, and I don’t mean anything solemn – food as a celebration, which is what I think it should be.I GENERALLY EAT OUT for prosaic reasons – nothing in the house, unexpected guests and so forth. It is also celebrating 30 years in business, and to entice customers to take part in festivities, a three-course lunch is on offer this month at the special price of – you’ve guessed it – pounds 19.68.
He has a reputation for being fierce to guests he doesn’t like, especially those who add salt to food, but he is a charming man and his food totally deserves its three Michelin stars.! Hilary Rubinstein is the author of The Good Hotel Guide. In food terms, I prefer the more democratic flavours of classic cooking to supermodern cuisine, chokabloc with whatever trendy flavour is in at the time.Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry, County Cork (00 35 321 652531) fulfils alLane, 0171 409 1290) is excellent. But I value the total eating-out experience: a comfortable atmosphere, a warm welcome and quality of conversation. I’m uncomfortable in places with over-inflated prices, because the people that run them know the whole thing is fraudulent and it affects their spirit and you pick that up. It doesn’t have a set clientele – I used to see Mrs Thatcher there before she became PM.
The owner, Sandro, does the best salad in London – and he started making it at my request! It is made from the freshest things in the world and will always include something like wild rocket that he’s grown in his own garden, or wild mushrooms that he’s hunted for himself. I think this aspect should be appreciated alongside the nutritional value of the food.My home is in Pembrokeshire, but our local places are pretty abysmal. I also have a home in Primrose Hill, and there’s this amazing place there called The Engineer (65 Gloucester Ave, NW1, 0171 722 0950) which is actually a pub which serves organic food.My favourite London restaurant is Grand Paradiso (0171 828 5818) at 52 Wilton Road, Victoria where I’ve been going for 25 years. I am currently writing a book that examines this in terms of quantum physics.