Odette’s, Primrose Hill

The parade of shops around Odette’s sell ‘nice things’ to people with not a lot else to do during the day, although rather bizarrely there is also a bookies. Presumably they’re all in there betting on the Man Booker prize and not the 3:30 at Chepstow. ‘That Howard Jacobson loves it when the going gets rough, needs a taste of the whip though’.

The Harbour Master, Aberaeron , Wales

Having a cracking restaurant within a short car journey when you’re away from home is handier than a pocket on a shirt. That’s precisely what I have when my path leads me back to Aberystwyth. A short drive along a coastal road and you arrive in the seaside town of Aberaeron, once one of the main trading ports along the Cardigan Bay coast.

Luvvie for the day, with the Come Dine With Me iPhone app! An application to help you plan your dinner party and allow you to play come dine with me with your friends.

I arrived and was introduced to the crew and fellow contestants, before being asked if we would like to sample some of the Hardys wines that we would be able to select from to go with our individual courses. As you are probably aware, Hardys sponsor Come Dine With Me and of course, my fellow contestants and I were more than happy to taste the wines.

Locale, great food, now with live music

There have been a few changes at Locale in Balham since we were last there, about a year ago. The kitchen is now open, and there is – to A’s great pleasure – a Josper grill. Locale Balham are now featuring five acts on rotation every Thursday and we were there for Katie Verner and Laurence Pendrous. Being a West End performer, Verner’s delivery had a clarity that was very appealing.