It’s been a long time since we’ve been to The Malt Shovel in Horsham. We had plenty of reason to patronise this venue in the past due to the landlords generous sponsorship of our team. Unfortunately Steve passed away recently (incidentally so did our hockey team) and work committments have kept me away. However, last sunday (15th July 2007) a visit from an old team mate prompted a return. When we got there there was a 2 piece band playing laid back jazz and the effects of the smoking ban were evident. I wasn’t immediately sure what was different but I’m pretty sure it was a lack of cigarette smoke, a very welcome lack of cigarette smoke. I’m not a zealot, but after 2 years without a cigarette I have to say that I prefer my life to be that way; smoke free.

Now I know we can't all go to Whitechapel to taste probably the best Indian food in the world, but take it from me - if you're visiting London this is a destination restaurant.

Its BYO - bring your own wine, etc - so its all eyes down for the food menu. You almost cannot spend too much money here. I went with a group of people, ate far too much until I was fit to burst and it came to twelve quid each.

Slipped out of John Lewis by the Cavendish St exit and into Wigmore St today and found this gem. It's been there for 25 years, one of those long established, cheerful and reasonably priced restaurants run by generations of Italian families in London. These places are having to either adapt or die. Alfredo's in Essex Rd (est 1920) refused to adapt and we loved them for it. Until the end of 1999 you could still get excellent egg and chips for £1.85, cooked by the proprietor in exactly the same way as his father Alfredo did it. A mug of tea was 25p and neither the premises nor the menu had changed since the early fifties. If you never made it to Alfredo's, you're too late, they have sold up and retired. Nani's have adapted instead. Recently completely refurbished in an unpretentious modern style, they offer the usual list of modern coffee choices -cappuccino, espresso et al plus a good selection of breakfasts and lunches for around a fiver.

This is a copy of a letter which I sent to W********** Customer Services. ( to date no reply from them )I see from the local papers they are advetising for new staf ie chefs.!!!!! I and two friends decided to visit your W******** Restaurant in Lancashire on Sunday 24th August before going on holiday and can only say that the whole time we were there it was a complete disaster.

On entering, a waitress showed us to a table, then someone else suggested we wait at the bar to be seated, I don't know why we had to wait as the place was nearly empty and now I know why. I then went to the bar to order drinks - a Gin and Tonic which when it arrived was a glass with Gin and filled up to the top with tonic, no question as to how much tonic I wanted or would I like draft tonic or bottle ? That was replaced to my liking. Then the meal, three starters, 3 main courses were ordered. The 2 soups which came were very nicely presented, but stone cold, how can that be? After complaining they were returned to us - warm !. On complaining again they were eventually returned edible, with apologies. I ordered 2 steaks and another dish for main courses. 1 steak was ordered well done, but the second (mine), was ordered medium rare but when they came, the well done one was only just edible as it was very tough and dry. The second (medium rare) was past well done and can only assume that whilst our soups were being repeatedly warmed up, the steaks were being cooked and left and warmed again. Apologies again were given and an offer to replace my meal which I refused as by this time the other two friends had finished their meal or what they could eat of it and so I ate the tough dry excuse for a steak. What was left ( most of it ) I took home for the dog, which even she turned her nose up at. One main course was deleted from the bill We left very disappointed and can say that the restaurant should not be named after a great ********* but that of Roland the Rat. Sitan Eatwell

General Comment first ! I don't know why but most places I have been in recently I would certainly not return. Date 26th September L*********** - I know it is only a Tea Room but ---- the menu said Home Made Vegetable Soup, I thought it was in fact a packet soup with bits added in. The Hot Beef Baguette with gravy and horseradish was tasteless with bought in sliced beef and a stale tough dried up baguette and the home made cottage pie my friend had was also tasteless. It all sounds very good on the menu at first glance. Sitan Eatwell