Hold The Anchovies Please was launched by Rebecca Williams, a senior journalist at the BBC who needed something other than bad news in her life.

Hold The Anchovies Please came about after my hunt for a hobby which would involve my love of food, travel and writing. So, following a six-week evening class at Leith’s School of Food and Wine, I came up with ‘holdtheanchoviesplease.com’ because I love all food, but hate anchovies.   I write about everything and anything that excites me.  Expect to see reviews on restaurants and hotels, food, wine, home baking, product reviews and some interviews with the people behind the brands.  I may wander into the world of lifestyle and fashion.

My Foodie Loves …..

BEST MEAL EVER: in spite of being rushed out as some of the last diners (which was an absolute outrage) it still has to be Gordon Ramsay au Trianon Palace – the Degustation Menu (with accompanying wines) is an experience.  Second, and it is a very close call, ‘Dabbous’, Whitfield Street, London (sadly, now shut).

BEST SERVICE EVER: has to be The Savoy Grill at The Savoy Hotel in London (in the Marcus Wareing days).

COCKTAILS: American Bar, The Savoy Hotel; Claridges Bar, Claridges, London; Artesian Bar, The Langham Hotel

FAVOURITE FRENCH RESTAURANTS IN LONDON:  Koffmann’s at the Berkeley/Chabrot Bistrot d’Amis/Le Boudin Blanc.

BEST ITALIAN: in London La Famiglia, Langton Street, simply because it’s a traditional family Italian.  For great Italian food which is easy on the pocket Demartino, Great Portland Street.  Out of the UK – Caminetto d’Oro, Bologna, Italy.

FAVOURITE LOCAL HAUNTS: The Popeseye, Hammersmith – a no-nonsense steak restaurant.

BEST PUB GRUB: It’s a tie for first place – both in Bray – both Heston’s pubs, who else?  The food at The Crown is magnificent (fish and chips in particular) and The Hind’s Head is another brilliant boozer with amazing food.  The Five Horseshoes at Maidensgrove is a great summer pub.

BEST BURGER: foie burger gras at Joel Robuchon, and then the burger at Bar Bolud.

STEAK: Sorry both out of the UK – in fact, a world away – Argentina, Cabina Las Lilas, Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires;  Francis Mallman 1884, Mendoza, Argentina; Smith and Wollensky, 49th Street & Third Avenue, New York (now in London).

DESSERTS: my melting middle chocolate pudding or Banoffee Pie (from the former Hungry Monk Restaurant in Jevington which is now, sadly,  three cottages).

BEST BREAKFAST: Full English.  On a tray.  In bed.  Hambleton Hall, Rutland Water.

Why not share your favourites with me?

PR Disclaimer

Hold The Anchovies Please does feature select PR samples, products and invitations to review restaurants and hotels.  This will always be mentioned and paid opportunities are always clear.

Do get in touch if you’d like to work with me – holdtheanchoviesplease@yahoo.co.uk.