Bryn Awel, Mold

Old fashioned hotel on the welsh borders but there's a good chef in there. Pan fried Scallops with chilli and lime dressing plus crunchy bacon and rocket salad. Very impressive. Missed some bread as none was offered but a great starter. Fillet steak to follow with mushrooms, 3 onion rings and the most amazing salad I've seen for a long time. Red lettuce and rocket but also apples, plum, mango, raspberries, cucumber, tomatoes and coleslaw. Good quality steak although maybe a little small but the organic pedigree was listed on the menu.

For such an ordinary hotel it was a fantastic meal. Room had no shower and I mentioned it to reception on departure. "Most rooms don't even have a bath sir".

But they have a winning chef.

The waiter smiled when I asked for chilli oil

Pizza Express, Euston Road. Trying their new menu with the Etna Pizza. First impressions is that it's big. Secondly it has genuine fire in it. Usually Pizza express leaves you thinking of more but this was the real deal. Filled me up to the top. Nice wine, good company. Very pleasant way to spend an hour. They've got it right here. Why do so many Pizza places serve up tasteless stodge...

Mill House Beefeater, Redhill

Out of the blue a great meal. I ask for a fillet steak nearly rare. Sitting next to the kitchen I hear the next conversation between server and chef.

"Nearly rare - wozzat?"
"Dunno mate - any ideas?"
"Give it rare plus 30 seconds"
"OK"

Turned out really well. Burnt bits on the top and succulent pink interior. Good chips. Fine salad with lashings of lemonade sorry dressing. Ate every single item. Plate looked good with white space between words. No grilled tomato, no field mushrooms, no overdose of peas, no friggin' onion rings - just steak, chips and salad. Perfect. Dalwood Red to accompany. An under-rated Aussie red and only £9-70. Brilliant value. Probably the second best steak in England since I started. I'm starting to have faith in English steaks again. 2 good 'uns in 2 weeks.

Stroom, Pudsey

Very Classy. Nice decor, nice space between tables. Interesting paintings on the wall. Warm small breads with garlic butter; Warm Duck Salad with Foie Gras with pistachio rims and apples soaked in some dressing. Very minceur and very good. Partner had warm camembert with egg croute, bacon and frizze salad. Both dishes beautifully presented and not too filling.

Main of Fillet of Yorkshire beef with Roquefort melt, pommes Anna & port wine sauce served nearly rare. Fourth best steak since I've been doing this blog. Best so far in England. Partner had Magret duck breast with polenta cakes, broad bean & bay leaf jus and turned carrots. Together we also took in fine beans with parmesan. A glass of chilean red for me - two glasses of medium white for her.

A very well cooked meal, expensive but worth the money. A bottle of sparkling local water at £3-40 was over the top but that's what happens in these places. Wine was expensive as well. I dread to think what the bill would have been if I'd had a bottle instead of a glass. Service was good and attentive. Ice cream for one, two coffees and we spent £76.