The “List”

As an aspiring foodie, I keep a list of restaurants that I want to visit. I have referred to this “List” in some of my recent posts on here. Note the capitalised “L” for emphasis of its significance. Restaurants make it onto the “List” for a variety of reasons; some because they have been recommended to me by friends, some because I’ve seen their chefs on TV and some through the wonders of social media (Twitter being a veritable goldmine here). It is sad but true that I seem to add places to this list more often then I am able to cross them off.

Here are some of the places that I have managed to cross off in the last year:

• Meat Liquor
• The Orrery
• Odettes
• Railroad Hackney
• Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
• José by José Pizarro
• The Hand and Flowers
• Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer (Berlin)
• Launceston Place

I would heartily recommend all of the above as they were all excellent, in differing ways. For some of the above you will find reviews on this website.

So, onto…

The “List” (London, unless otherwise noted)

• Fat Duck (Bray)
• Pied a Terre
• Gordon Ramsey at Claridges
• Gauthier
• Lillys
• The Savoy Grill
• Chutney Mary’s
• Bob Bob Ricard
• North Road
• The Ledbury
• El Cellar de can Roca (Spain)
• The Square
• Zucca
• Roast
• Rules
• Pizarro (by José Pizarro)
• Ceviche
• Burger and Lobster
• Wheelers (of Whitstable)
• The Popeseye
• The Magpie (Whitby)
• Kitchin by Tom Kitchin (Edinburgh)
• L’Atelier de Joel Rubichon
• Green Man and French Horn
• Benares
• L’Enclume (Cumbria)
• Rorganic
• Pollen Street Social and Little Social
• Grain Store
• The Pig (New Forest)
• Delicat Bistro
• Chez Bruce
• Purnell’s (Birmingham)

There’s quite enough there to keep me going for a while!

The point of this post, however, is that I’d like to get feedback on my “List” from people that I know are equally passionate about expanding their gastronomic horizons. In particular, I’d like to know if there are any glaring absences – places that absolutely must be visited; or, conversely, if there is anywhere on this list that you’ve been to and it really didn’t cut the metaphorical mustard. Avoiding somewhere that is over-rated and/or over-priced is just as valuable to me as it allows me to focus my time (and money!) on more worthy places.

I should also note that I’m keen to hear of places outside of London and, indeed, the UK!

Please use the reply box below to let me know your thoughts.

As Frasier Crane would say, “I’m listening”.