Table talk
McChoice of the day at McBlumenthal's
The culinary experiments of chef Heston Blumenthal at the Fat Duck in Bray continue with their customary exuberance and flair. One recent effort was a Big Mac ice-cream, prepared for a group of McDonald's consultants. It had, as Blumenthal explained, all the flavours of a Big Mac, including the gherkin and a tomato ketchup jelly, with a macaroon taking the place of the bun. Blumenthal's other current experiments include liquid nitrogen-poached green-tea mousse, a crab dessert and a turbot dish with popcorn.
Didn't know her shower from her shatafa
Last week's news story about shatafas, the shower-head hoses that are used instead of bidets in the Middle East, sparked some interesting reminiscences from travellers. One told us that the first time she came across a shatafa, a friend emerged from the bathroom and said: "The showers are in a very odd position here, right next to the loo. I had to really bend down to wash my hair."
Care for another soup‡on of beluga, Fingers?
A gang of gourmet thieves in Austria have been educating their palates as well as filling their pockets when they break into fashionable restaurants. After pocketing the takings, they have been enjoying late-night meals including caviar, fillet steak and the best wines they can lay their hands on.
Anything worn under the kilt? No, it all works fine
Scotland's latest effort to promote itself involves a photograph of a hairy Highlander at Dundas Castle with his kilt swirling around his legs in an unlikely pastiche of the famous picture of Marilyn Monroe above the air vent. This is accompanied by the caption: "Some like it hot, others prefer Scotland." Full marks for honesty.
Take the bed… but hands off the chambermaid
Taking the bathroom toiletries or maybe a box of matches or a pen home may seem acceptable behaviour in a hotel room. But have you ever thought of taking the bed? The Ritz Carlton Chicago (confusingly a Four Seasons hotel) is inviting guests to do just that. For those who reserve a lakeside suite for two nights - from $950 (£609) a night - the hotel will deliver a Four Seasons king-size mattress worth $1,700 (£1,090) to their home. The "Take the bed home" promotion is valid until the end of the year.
A Wright old wind-up
Simon Wright, the AA Restaurant Guide editor who resigned on principle when AA boss Roger Wood tried to ban London restaurant P‚trus from being upgraded to five rosettes (Wood didn't like it), is looking forward to the new guide with interest. "I guess I'll have to buy a copy like everyone else… or maybe they'll send me a copy for old times' sake," he said. "Perhaps Roger Wood will sign it for me - on the page where P‚trus has five rosettes." Over to you, Roger.
