8 Station Road, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 6JJ. Tel: 01628 68 486.

Me and Angela went to this restaurant as it was one of our friend's surprise birthday party. It was a very interesting place. Goes back much further than it looks and we had one of the private dining areas with about 24 of us there. Next to our room was the Chef's Table which is another dining area but where the chef delivers a custom evening of food a drink specifically for your event.

The staff were very efficient and once we sat down after the chit chat it was all pretty much excellent. We could actually see into the kitchen area from where we sat and all we saw all night was a very well oiled machine. No fuss or noise came out of there. Are those reality kitchen shows a bit of a over dramatic affair then?

56 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1D 4JG. Tel: 0871 332 8575

On entry it looked like a Wagamama copy, and on appearance it is. It is a formula that works. However, the food is so much better. Not saying Wagamama is bad, I'm just saying this is good stuff.

Situated on Upper Street in Islington, it is one of many eating places around there on the main strip.

Seeing as we were in London to do a conference the next day I was in two minds whether it was the best idea to have a curry the night before!

I played it safe and had something from the Tandoori menu. I went for slow cooked lamb chops. It wasn't bad but I doubt I will go for it again. It tried to be very contemporary inside but the food didn't reach those heights for me.

Gufaa website.

67 Upper St, London, N1 0NY. Tel: 020 7226 2212 

I was at a conference at the Business Design Centre and during lunchtime I popped out for something to eat.

Somehow I always get very drawn to "noodle bars' when I pass them and can't help having a quick look at the menu. The only thing I get annoyed at these days (not true as there are probably many) are places that try to pass them off as Japanese or use Japanese names, but once inside I hear the staff talking Cantonese. I always cringe.

I went for the soba noodles with duck. Wasn't really soba noodles as I know them, but your usual 'chow mein' type noodles. Didn't mind too much. There was plenty of noodles with beansprouts and chinese leaves. So much that I had to leave some, which for me is very unsually. There was lots of duck as well. Pure breast with no bones. Actually I normally like it more the Chinese style on the bone.

Overall it was pleasant enough.

Miso Noodle Bar web site.