I'm afraid that I am not an advert for the "well-seasoned traveller", but I don't consider that a real disadvantage in discerning good from bad. I have had indifferent Indian, Chinese, Italian cuisine experiences, via British restaurants, and abroad over the years. But, based in West Yorkshire, invites from Indian, Pakistani and Italian and Malayan friends have opened up tastes, previously unrealised. There again, I could say the same for British friends. To me, it depends entirely upon the cook's ability and availability of local resources. Not forgetting the little extra that goes into producing a meal for friends!
I don't now take pot luck. I don't enjoy paying for any meal unless I know in advance, that the chef-cook knows what he is doing. It's a bit irrelevant now that my abode is in Belgi', but I'm now inviting Belgian colleagues to sample the British culinary experience. I must admit that some expensive restaurant meals over here are a revelation. I've pulled ideas from quite a few of them. Plus some of the beers are pretty good. The cafZ meals are still more than mediocre. I have rarely seen any food item of real quality :-( My wife tries them but is always disappointed.
Cheers, Don -- Draco Dormiens Nunquam breastillandus
