Restaurant Spy

We last visited Chez JJ in 2007, voted it just about the best restaurant in Tunbridge Wells for its cheeky charm and ambience, and also for its food, resembling a good local Parisian brasserie.

Deep in the heart of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, the Hatch Inn ticks all the boxes you would expect of a quaint English country pub.

Enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch with the family. The Harrow has a lovely feel to it. We warmed ourselves by the log fire but were initally preturbed by the adjacent fruit machine, but were assured that when the contract is up, it's going. We ate in the conservatory, where there was a real pre Christmas buzz.

I visted Eddie Gilbert's in Ramsgate when I was in the area on business after reading about it in The Suday Times. When an established fish monger in a town with a trawler fleet opens a gourmet restaurant above the shop, you'd expect the fish to be good. And it is. Very.

The Royal Stag has had a bit of a mauling over the years for various reasons, but we are pleased to say that the pub came up trumps on our recent visit.

Where can you get a Michelin Starred burger and chips for under a tenner? The Chapter One brasserie in Farnborough, just south of Bromley, that’s where.

The last time we visited - some seven years ago, we had a very pleasant, undemanding meal sitting outside looking out over the wonderful views from the beer garden.

Many years ago when we started Spy, the Old Vine was one of our favourite places to go. It had a heyday around 2002-2004 (?) when you walked in, were surrounded by blackboards of bar snacks, main meals, sandwiches, whatever and were delighted and surprised by the quality of nosh and the charming, effortless service.

On my desk there is a globe which I gaze at often to get a sense of perspective if something isn't going right. I also have a photograph of the earth in space which does the same.

I'm heading off to the markets early on Wednesday, so if you'd like anything delivered to your desk in London later that morning, just give me a call. Don't forget, I can get anything you want - from an entire ribeye to fresh oysters.