Michelin are set to release this year's restaurant star ratings later this month and bloggers across the UK are already trying to second-guess them. On the Guardian's blog, food critic Jay Rayner has made a few predictions of his own.
Foodies will find his crystal ball-gazing interesting; but just as entertaining are the comments his post has provoked. I've listed a few of them below - clearly, not all visitors to the Guardian's website share Jay's fascination with the UK restaurant scene.
Soapysouter has vision enough to look beyond the fashionable addresses of London, Manchester and Birmingham, to a stretch of road in Hampshire for his tip for Michelin success:
I hope the Little Chef on the A303 between Andover and Basingstoke gets its first Michelin Star. Its all day breakfast is truly gutsy cooking.
Meanwhile, Rayner's assertion that "Michelin never goes in at more than one, unless it's a relocated restaurant (pace Hibiscus) or the new restaurant of an established big name (pace Ducasse)", causes Sloggers to rein in his hopes for his local Indian restaurant:
Personally I think the Shiplu Tandoori in Bexhill-on-Sea should be up for a Michelin star. I'd say more than one but since it's not a relocated restaurant or an established big name I guess we'll just have to go one-at-a-time.
As for Falconwood, he predicts a clean sweep for his local caff:
Franks Cafe, New Eltham, London, SE9 should get three stars. His Large Set breakfast is to die for although he's put it up 50p to £4.50 (Thank you, Gordon Brown). The room is suitably decorated with pictures of the 1998 Charlton Athletic Squad (signed). 'Chef' is a German Muslim fella, who cooks a perfect Bubble. I predict Three Stars are winging its way to Frank's Cafe as I type. Maybe he should rename it L'Manoir de Frank?
Come the end of the month, gourmands in andover, Bexhill and New Eltham will doubtless have fingers and toes crossed ...