little bitty girl

For the love of Marie and Stefan who mutually (trust me, people this NEVER happens) agreed that the last was far too long, I will do this last bit in two parts.

26) Dice with death

Eating Japanese blowfish is the food lover's answer to unsafe sex. Prepared by careless hands this fish can kill you, and the Japanese pay a small fortune for the frisson that goes along with each mouthful. Gordon Ramsay likes it for the 'thrill and the unusual sensation when you eat it'.

I have always also said that I wanted to try this but have been strictly forbidden by the parents and Stef... well, all I can say is "what you don't know..."

27) Eat chocolate cake in Vienna

The silver pot of hot chocolate, the delicate china cup, the slice of richest most divine chocolate cake, and don't forget the cream. Try it at the Hotel Sacher or maybe one of the city's string of ancient pastry shop like Demels. John and Yoko were right.
Hotel Sacher, Philharmonikerstarasse 4, Vienna (00 43 1 514 560). Cafe Demel, Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna (00 43 1 533 5516)

Chocolate and Vienna? Another one of the few dessert-y things I do eat!!

28) Dine at Jean Georges in New York

This place was on several people's wishlists. I must admit I found it difficult to keep my face straight at some of the pretensions of this world-famous and currently fashionable restaurant. Perhaps it was the white-gloved waitress with her trolley of warm marshmallows which she then proceeded to cut into cubes with grape scissors. Or was it the small matter of telling me I was unsuitably attired when sitting opposite me was a couple snogging so energetically I half expected a waiter to bring them a condom on a silver tray. Still, it would take more than that to distract anyone from the sublime cooking, be it sea bass with enoki mushrooms and star anise, or the heavenly chocolate dessert plate.
Jean George, 1 Central Park West, New York (00 1 212 299 3900), seven-course truffle tasting menu $220 per head

Hmmmm.... must take this into serious consideration the next time I am in NY. Maybe for Kenny and mine mutual birthdays? Although, I don't really abide by snootiness....

29) Pod fresh peas

Restaurateur Sir Terence Conran is rarely happier than when sitting in the sun, eating a dish of the first uncooked peas, broad beans, tiny artichokes and French breakfast radishes with some Malvern salt and a bottle of Batard Montrachet on the side. And who can blame him?

You know, almost everyone says this is awesome but being not so inclined to eat peas myself, I must say I am not so interested. But maybe I would like it more if it was fresh? Something to ponder...

30) Queue for fish and chips

A really good fish-and-chip shop is a rare treat, so if there is a long queue you know there is a chance you are in for something special. So get down to Aldeburgh in Suffolk, join the (very) long queue, grab your hot parcel and whiz it off to the beach, unwrap and eat with the sea breeze in your hair.
Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop, 226 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk (01728 452 250)

This is probably something that Stef would do. Although supposedly, we have an awesome one in T.O that we still have to try!!

31) Get up early and go to market

Preferably in Provence. The smell is a mix of pine and cigarette smoke with the occasional strong hit of goat cheese. Cogniscenti head for the Var area, particularly the markets of Cotignac (summer only), the bustling town of Salernes (Wednesday and Saturdays) and Aups (famous for truffles).

OH! Another one of my all time fantasies! The thought positively gives me goosebumps! There is nothing I like better than going to markets in any city I visit...

32) Shop till you drop

Terry Durack reckons that the food market at La Boqueria in Barcelona is simply the best in the world. The place is an absolute joy - full of life, colour, movement, bulls' testicles, cod tripe, goose barnacles and tiny, tiny, baby broad beans. And to think I didn't even know that geese could get barnacles.
La Boqueria, Plaza de la Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain (00 34 93 318 25 84), open Mon-Sat

This list just keeps on getting BETTER and BETTER! Bulls's testicles? I wonder if they are as good as goat's testicles, not that I've had those either but it is something on my list to eat as well....

33) Catch your own dinner

Uber-chef Tom Aikens votes for deep-sea fishing in Barbados. 'I went deepsea fishing for tuna, which we then barbecued on the beach at sunset. The satisfaction of catching your own dinner, the freshness of the fish and the stunning surroundings made it an unforgettable experience.'

I so agree! There really isn't anything better than catching your own fish and then eating it after!! YUM!!

34) Push the boat out

Drink Domaine de la Romanée- Conti (around £250 a bottle), preferably at the vineyard in Burgundy. Tim Atkin again.
Try Corney & Barrow (020 7265 2400)

Hmm... ho hum.... maybe because I am not a connoisseur of fine wines?

35) Grill a steak

A good steak features high in many people's lists, but Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall suggests a Guernsey beef sirloin, aged four weeks bought from Brown Cow organics, served with perfect chips and Dijon mustard. Sir Terence Conran goes one further. He says the most sublime of all is cooked by Michel Guerard at his restaurant in Eugenie les Bains with the fat from foie gras.
Brown Cow Organics, Perridge Farm, Shepton Mallet, Somerset (www.browncoworganics.co.uk; 01749 890298). Les Pres D'Eugenie Michel Guerard, Eugenie Les Bains, France (00 33 558 05 06 07)

Another Stef thing as I don't do red meat so well. He is the master BBQ-er in our relationship.