as champagne is in fact originally from england, we used to import wine from france and change it into champagne, it may not go back as far as ale in england, but is still a fundamentally english drink.
to mike
ps this restaurant has to appeal to people from the continent who generally dislike ale. - Dan Largin age 12

Dan Largin, hackney, london

It is a shame that we are afraid to serve a nice glas of english ale--a pint perhaps?
why dedicate an arrival bar to an overpriced product from another country which of course is just what champagne is.
& no one should believe thay are getting value for money
Or a pint perhaps?

mike cassidy, gloucester, uk

sorry giles, this is nonsense. in france you can eat EVERY day for 11 or 12 euros a 3 course meal (often a buffet entree), a choice of mains and puds with coffee (a good expresso) AND 1/4 of wine included.
the food in england may be good, but it is also very very expensive

grindles, london, england

Those who sneer at France's culinary traditions clearly have no idea what they're talking about. Mainstream French cuisine and culture are overrated, sure. But at its best, it is sublime - and the best in British has always been heavily influenced by the French.

Besitz Belastet, London,

I assume/hope this is a joke (having recently moved back after five yr in Paris my sense of humour is dulled)? As you must surely know, the French will tolerate (almost) anything in a restaurant except poor food.

Andrew, Cambridge, UK

I'm sure this restaurant is fine (when the food lives up to the menu), but GBP25 a head without wine? In France, even in Paris, you can get two (equally good ) meals for that price,. If those are the prices there won't be many French people going there!

Marie, Calais,

"Anyone serious about dining out knows that Paris is a great place to visit," said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey. "In no other city can you find as many living legends of the culinary elite still behind the stoves."

Also have a look at "Bad Food Britain" by Joanna Blythman.

QED.

Joelle, London, UK

You live NINE minutes away by bicycle and you took the car. Oh boy. Could you not have walked?? Or cycled? Walk off a bit of that mash, cheese, duck and pudding perhaps? Surely the whole point of living in town is NOT needing a car?

Nikki , Brighton,

French food is vastly over-rated and has been for some time.
It's easy to get handfulls of tasteless french fries and pizza but try getting some decent meat or vegetables and you will be out of luck.
Having had several trips there over the past couple of years this comes directly from experience.

bill, Knaresborough,

You live 3 stops away and you drove??????? The whole point of living in London is being able to leave the car at home and only use it for the odd trip to the country.

Kiri, North London,

THere are plenty of good restaurants and country pubs that serve up tasty food for around £10 per head if you actually venture out of London's zone 1 into those waste lands of south London and Surrey! As for Paris, I found the restaurants expensive and food unappatising

Luke Nicolaides, London, UK

Yes, it's possible to have very decent food in London but the difference is in the price. Find the right brasserie in Paris & you can eat like a king for €25 a head inc. a glass of red. I defy anyone to find the same value for money in London. A glass of decent house white will set you back 6 quid!

Neil, Luxembourg,

Sorry, but despite Coren's valiant attempt to boost its reputation, London/UK eating remains largely poor quality and overpriced (especially if you aren't on journalists' expenses). Compare £25 a head (ex wine) with €30 for two, hearty three courses, wine grappa and service included in Friuli, Italy

Robert C, London, UK

Well Paris is hardly a good representation of France's best food, as it is overpriced and overhyped for the tourist. If you want fantastic French food, go to a small town's local restaurant. I never expected great food and value for money in London, but i found great local pubs in the UK !

Aline, Hameln, Germany

What´s the point of the ethnic slurs against the French? Not only is it stupid and in the poorest taste, it demeans the quality of your article.

It costs nothing to be polite, though it seems odd to remind an Englishman of that.

Also curious is that you weren´t happy with the food.

Rob Davis, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Paris - The only place in the world I have visited where I had to send the wine back (Corked ) amidst much protestation from the Sommelier.....and they charged me for it !!

London is a much better place to eat - Now if we could only improve Service and Attitude !

Ken Holdaway, Riyadh 11393, Saudi Arabia

Danny Ritchie - once you would have been right; not any more though. And, incidentally, some of the worst food I've ever eaten was in Paris. . .

Ron Graves, Birkenhead, UK

Look, French food is 100 times better than anything you can get in London. You should stop being so defensive.

Danny Ritchie, São Paulo, Brazil