Akbars, claims to be Indian on the front page, but on further inspection the web site reveals that their specialities, namely Balti's, come from an area called Baltistan in the far north of Pakistan - I'm not sure I believe this, am expected to believe that there is a placed called bucket ville?

Defying the usual crapness associated with buffet restaurants Efes redefines what it is to walk up to a rather large table and help yourself to food!

Apparently I like writing up the reviews for the restaurants we visit (actually it's true) so here I am with great news from South East Asia, well OK, just a little bit of it right here in Manchester - Chaophraya seem to have spent their previous lives as artifact collectors judging by the sheer volume of weird and wonderful objects liberally adorning and contrasting with the modern design of the building.

I'm not great at writing reviews so I'll just say if you're looking for awesome food there's a great restaurant called Thyme in Longridge, a smallish village 8 miles or so out of Preston. Thyme has been open for 7 years and has a good reputation (several friends had previously recommended it.)

We took our little girl who is 2.5 years old and had a wonderful meal this Sunday lunch time, we were pleasantly surprised when a lady at the bar started singing. She had a wonderful voice and sang on and off for the 2.5 hours we spent there. Apparently she's there every Sunday and Friday nights.

Apparently the Marble Arch was built by workers from Victoria train station after they were barred from the other pubs in the area. Using materials they erm, 'borrowed' from the station it is quite easy to see certain architectural traits that reflect the station - namely the girders in the ceiling and the beautiful tiles and mosaics. The sloping floor (to aid your progression to the bar) is quite bizarre and the bar itself is full of real ales, continental beers, potent ciders and of course the wonderful selection of beers brewed on the premises!

The food at Pau Brasil is excellent and even though oriented towards the meaty side of things the salad bar offered more than enough to keep the veggie people happy. Everything was fresh, tasty and very good quality! Pau Brasil itself is a great venue complemented by a large bar area, colourful decor (shame about the dodgy lampshades - he he), the staff friendly and helpful even while dealing with a throng of people at the door. Yes it was that busy and it is easy to see why.

Well, didn't we have a loverly time the day we went to ... Hunters BBQ, and Trof, and Socio Rehab and Fu fu Lamars!

Trof offered it's usual convivial ambiance while we waited for everyone to arrive, sitting around the central 'bar' drinking, chatting before off to Hunters...

I'm all for cheap and cheerful but every once in a while it really is worthwhile pushing the boat out a little (ok, maybe a bit more than a little - more on that later) just to place things well and truly in perspective.

Ramshackled and shabby lookin, the corner plot adorned by a huge fragrant Rosemary bush, belies the rustic charm of the rudimentarily functional but very comfortable and strangely familiar interior. Slightly toned lighting, bright but soft complimented by the shimmering flame from the wine bottles, granted a second life as oil burners, set the ambiance off to a tee!