Mazet-Delpeuch, in her early 70s, is in town to talk about Haute Cuisine, a film loosely based on her experiences as personal chef for French president Francois Mitterand and her year-long-plus tenure as cook for a research lab on an island off Antarctica.

No mushy sandwiches, no musty curries, no greasy fish and chips. With a little planning, your London dining can and should be at least the equal of your shopping, museum, or business highlights.

The Macdonalds have had decades of the kind of experiences that are unrealized dreams for most foodies. For those dreamers, as for me, this is armchair dining, and at the highest level.

Ice cream is a blank slate. Like its old pal cake, ice cream is fine plain but can be adapted endlessly with every flavor and texture you can think of... and some you can't.