The dish of tongues is speaking and we’re playing deaf. S and I are trying not to look at the grey curls of muscle, the Sichuan duck tongues, that S has ordered. They are arch and taut, twisted in a last quacky screech and hold horror in their sinews. And they are cold. And, in the ultimate diss, they are sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Now, I’m not the most literary person, but two quotes came to mind about Byron, the first when I initially heard the name, and the other one a little while after we got there. Call me obvious, but my immediate reaction was to think of Lady Caroline Lamb’s description of Lord Byron as ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’

Tsuru is a burgeoning chain, with two outlets so far, one in Bishopsgate and the original in Borough. The food is sushi, and broadly similar to what you might find at the bigger chains on the High Street. But at Tsuru, everything is made in-house, including their curry sauce, egg tamagoyaki and even down to the chicken stock.

I did panic at first when I walked in and it appeared that nothing had changed in 14 years, but perhaps this is exactly why they are still open, doing great trade and serving locals as they were years ago. Sometimes change isn’t such a good thing, as the old adage goes ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and El Pirata most definitely ain’t broke.

Never let anyone convince you to take to the road on a bank holiday weekend; you’re asking for trouble if you live in a city like London, urban or suburban, it really makes no difference these days. Unless, of course, there’s a damn fine meal at the end of it; then, it’s worth the 15 miles = 1.5 hour schlep.

four o nine has its own discrete entrance accessed via an entry phone controlled door to the side of The Clapham North pub, inLandor Road. This slight quirkiness somehow lends the restaurant an air of exclusivity, giving you the feeling that you are entering a private dining club.

Despite Alloro’s illustrious peers in the A-Z group – Aubergine, Ken Lo’s Memories of China, L’Oranger and Zafferano – it never before blipped my belly’s radar. However, beyond a mild title glints a tesoro nascosto….

Already critics have been raving about Bar Boulud, although that’s probably all part of the backlash against the kind of food that Blumenthal has so far championed. Now people, who a year ago would have sneered at you loftily for liking a burger, are actually saying they prefer nothing better than meat in a bun.

Sake No Hana feels comfortable, intimate and not remotely pretentious like some of the other well known celeb-laden Japanese eateries (mentioning no names…) in the vicinity. So if you want great food, attentive service in an un-fussy environment than Sake No Hana is for you. But if WAG culture, drunk D-list celebrities and rude staff and generic service is what your after then head to Berkeley Street for your Sushi

In terms of value for money, if you go for one of the home dishes at My Dining Room you are onto a winner and the al la carte is fairly priced. The food was very good; the idea of sharing plates a quirky addition that make it worth seeking out. This style of eating is especially suited to occasions when you want to encourage group interaction; birthdays, reunions, mandatory work outings; anytime when you might be stuck for conversation or need to build camaraderie.