Talking of the F word

We love good food in good places and here are some of our current favourites. You may note an emphasis on lunch venues, but that’s a reflection of the sheer pleasure you can get from taking time to relax and enjoy a lunch properly, surely one of the best aspects of being on holiday.

• Malibu – a brilliant airy beachside eatery at Las Salinas in Ibiza. Get there by noon to book your sun lounger and parasol, enjoy the passing scenery while you sip a Larios Tonica, then play Russian Roulette at lunch by eating Pimentos de Padrone – one in ten of these little peppers is hot enough to blow your head off, but you can’t tell them from the mild ones!
• Asian in Paris – Sunday Brunch for £16 is an amazing buffet of Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese, all served by drop dead gorgeous oriental babes. www.asian.fr
• Spoon in Paris – sample the chef’s recommendations and you’re in for a complete taste adventure via small dishes beautifully assembled.
• Maze, London – tapas-size dishes of incredible flavour and variety and a carousel of wines to match them leave your taste buds in a total spin
• Bambuddha Grove, Ibiza – exotic food, cocktails, people, cool music, all in an amazing setting conceived by its totally mad owner, John Moon. The only restaurant we’ve ever visited that has a sex toy shop for its clientele …
• Colombe D’Or, Saint Paul de Vence – an hors d’oeuvres lunch on the terrace is bliss and be sure to leave room for the cheeseboard served by the adorable Mimi.
• Las Cuchas, Puerto Banus – head along the beach for Playa Fantastica and you’ll come upon this wonderful chiringuito. Masses of fresh fish daily and huge platters of the most amazingly delicious tiny shrimps.
• Sugar Club, London – heavenly fusion food (worth buying their cook book)
• Fifth Floor in Harvey Nix, London – great service, good food and the most decadent cocktail bar in London on a Thursday night
  Fog City Diner, San Francisco – brilliant shank of lamb and seasoned pecan nuts to die for
• I Tre Merli, New York – trendy Tuscan with great street theatre and table service by chisel-cheeked wannabe actors
• Hemingway’s, St Johns, Antigua – just stick with the crab backs and an ice-cold Hemingway Special on the balcony while you watch the world go by
• Blue Water Grill, New York – gilded glamour upstairs, cool and funky jazz downstairs, seafood to make you swoon everywhere
• Juan y Andrea, Formentera – take the 10.15 watertaxi from Ibiza and you’ll arrive in time for a bit of sun and sea before a fabulous lunch at this glam beach restaurant. Don’t forget to phone and book your sun lounger in advance – it’s a popular spot with the boat fraternity.