St Pancras

One big highlight of the week was Mr C and my fortnightly Thursday meal out. It was my turn to choose this time and I managed to book us a table at the St Pancras Grand in London's St Pancras International station. Normally the idea of going to a train station for dinner would be laughed at, but St Pancras is no normal station.

Since it was re-opened last year St Pancras has been a destination in its own right. A fantastic job has been done to bring the station back to its former glory, combining modern needs with classic, historic style. There are some great shops and plenty of places to eat and drink. The architecture is also worth a visit and it goes to prove that we British can do some amazing things with our historic buildings.

Much fuss has been made of the champagne bar but there hasn't been quite as much fuss made of the restaurant alongside it, run by the same people, Searcys. We booked our table via toptable (a fantastic website if you're dining in London) and were shown straight to a nice table, not too far from the bar and the jazz band that was setting up.

The food was quite simply excellent. My starter in particular (black pudding, smoked salmon, a poached egg and hollandaise) was so tasty that I salivate now just thinking about it. There was also a very good wine list where you didn't have to break the bank, although there was plenty of choice if you did want to! Service was also very good, although they let things down slightly at the end when we had to ask twice for the bill and then when it did come it was wrong. A shame as everything else that evening had been perfect. We'll certainly be going back – and I never imagined that I'd be saying that about a train station restaurant!